Maplehurst Stock Farm

Jay Bird - A Century Sire and Harness Racing Legend

AN IRREFUTABLE LEGACY FORGED IN THE KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS

In 1878, a legend was born on W.L. Simmons' Ash Grove Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Jay Bird, a striking blue roan c**t, entered the world, destined to become one of harness racing's most enduring icons. Sired by the great George Wilkes, a son of the incomparable Hambletonian, and born to Lady Frank, a Mambrino Star mare, Jay Bird's pedigree was a testament to his racing lineage.

1878 - 1880: THE EARLY BEGINNINGS OF A HARNESS RACING PIONEER

Jay Bird's formative years were spent in the lush pastures of Ash Grove Farm, now a part of Darby Dan Farm, in Lexington, Kentucky. Here, among his peers, he began to reveal his raw talent and boundless potential. What set him apart was not just his remarkable racing prowess but also his striking steel gray coat, a feature that made him stand out. In 1880, Jay Bird's journey to harness racing greatness began when he secured victory in The Kentucky Stakes. At the time, it was a race for 2-year-olds, later transitioning to The Lexington Stakes for that age group, while The Kentucky Stakes would become the race for 3-year-olds beginning the following year. These races were held at The Red Mile in Lexington, the location of all Kentucky Trotting Horse Breeders Association sponsored stakes races.

1881 - 1906: THE MAKING OF A CENTURY SIRE

At the conclusion of his racing career, Jay Bird retired to the breeding shed at Ash Grove. It was here that Jay Bird's endurance as a sire began to manifest. During his time at Ash Grove, he sired over 70 standard performers, closely approaching the mark of 77, achieved by his sire, George Wilkes, already an impressive mark for that time. In 1898, after W.L. Simmons' passing, Jay Bird found a new home with Warren Adams Bacon, Jr., who, along with his partner John Brennan, acquired Jay Bird for $2,600 at the estate dispersal sale, with Bacon soon thereafter buying Brennan out. Under Bacon's ownership, Jay Bird became associated with his Maplehurst Stock Farm in Paris, Kentucky, where his enduring legacy truly took root. Bacon would popularize the phrase, "It is always a Jay Bird," using it as a slogan in print advertisements found in magazines and newspapers across the nation. It was during his time at Maplehurst that Jay Bird would achieve the prestigious title of Century Sire, awarded exclusively to sires whose offspring would attain or exceed one hundred standard performers. Jay Bird would be the fourteenth to join the esteemed Century Sire list. Notably, thanks to the mighty Allerton, Jay Bird became the first Century Sire in history to sire another Century Sire, with Allerton becoming the first Double Century Sire. Jay Bird would spend the remainder of his days at Maplehurst, where his impact on harness racing became undeniable, and his legend was immortalized.

DECEMBER 18, 1906: A FAREWELL TO A LEGEND

On December 18, 1906, Jay Bird passed away, but his legacy was far from over; it was only just beginning. News of Jay Bird's passing made the front pages of racing magazines and newspaper sports sections across the country. His final stallion ad, printed a week after his death in the Christmas 1906 issue of American Horse Breeder magazine, appeared to foreshadow that his influence would live on. His resting place at Maplehurst Stock Farm was marked by a marble headstone, bearing his epitaph, the slogan made famous by Bacon: "JAY BIRD, 5060, A CENTURY SIRE, 1878 - 1906, It is always a Jay Bird."

Bacon disclosed, in an interview reported in The Bourbon News, that Jay Bird had amassed $37,000 in stud fees from the time of Bacon's purchase in 1898 until the stallion's death in 1906. This amount did not include the sales of homebred offspring sired by Jay Bird, surely an equally lucrative sum. To provide some perspective, Bacon had acquired Maplehurst Farm, which included an eight-room house, three horse barns, several outbuildings, and 117 acres of the richest soil in the Bluegrass, for just $14,680 only a few short years earlier.

DESCENDANTS OF JAY BIRD: AN UNMATCHED LEGACY

While Allerton is certainly the most well-known son of Jay Bird, other sons such as Alconda Jay, Eagle Bird, Jaymore, The Tramp, and Jay Hawker also contributed to their sire's lineage in their own right, many of which also live on today. The premature death of the promising stallion Jay Hawker, who died at the age of only 8, left the question of what might have been had he lived longer. Another Allerton perhaps? We can only imagine. A grandson of Jay Bird, Locanda, a son of Allerton, was sold to Russia, where he played a crucial role in the development of the Russian Trotter breed, although it ultimately did not persist beyond 1949.

Jay Bird's profound influence on harness racing extends beyond his own achievements. He left an indelible mark on the sport, with his lineage, descending from Hambletonian, serving as a foundation for many notable names in harness racing history. His impact on the sport is immeasurable, with a lineage that stretches from Allerton to Billy Direct, Tar Heel, Bret Hanover, Meadow Skipper, Niatross, Cam Fella, No Nukes, and beyond, shaping the sport for nearly a century and a half since his birth and more than a century since his passing.

Notably, all ten winners of the Triple Crown for Pacers, the fastest 3-year-old pacer ever, Confederate, the fastest trotter ever, Homicide Hunter, and the highest-earning and fastest standardbred in history, Bulldog Hanover, all trace their lineage back to Jay Bird. A remarkable 69% of all current members of the Living Hall of Fame - Horses and 30% of all current members of the Hall of Immortals - Horses can also trace their heritage to Jay Bird.

Imagine Jay Bird, a stallion who lived over a century ago. He is a pivotal character in the story of today's standardbred horses. If Jay Bird had never existed, it's not just about one missing horse; it's about a ripple effect. The genetic roles he played in his descendants' heritage would be taken up by a cast of new stallions. Each of these replacements would bring their unique traits, creating a much different genetic landscape from the one we see today. So, Jay Bird's absence isn't just a gap in history; it's a rewrite of genetic destiny, shaping the standardbred lineage in ways we can't fully predict.

As the thread of Jay Bird's bloodline continues to weave through the tapestry of future champions, the sport of harness racing remains indebted to this remarkable Century Sire. His legacy endures not only in the records and victories of his descendants but also in the hearts and minds of those who cherish the rich history and tradition of harness racing. Jay Bird's story is one of greatness, perseverance, and an everlasting influence that continues to resonate through the sport to this day.

When we moved from Massachusetts to Kentucky in 2019, our goal was to be closer to the horse racing center of the world. We chose Paris, KY specifically to reside near the peaceful resting place of Secretariat. We came here with an idea and a dream: to raise fine Thoroughbred racehorses and, equally importantly, if not more so, to establish a nonprofit dedicated to equine welfare for horses of all breeds.

Little did we anticipate that a new park honoring the legacy of Secretariat would be announced in our new hometown, less than four years after moving here. We are beyond grateful to share that we have become sponsors of this park. It's a dream come true to see our names forever etched on the same plaque as Secretariat's jockey, Mr. Ron Turcotte, adorning the back wall of the park.

Additionally, we never imagined having a tree with our farm's name beautifully engraved on a plaque in front of our very own tree in Secretariat Park, standing proudly next to a tree with a similar plaque bearing Mr. Turcotte's name. Yet, here we are.

This humbling experience is something we will never take for granted, as it is a rare occurrence where real life has proven to be even more extraordinary than we had ever imagined.

🌾 Just another day at the "Maplehurst Stock Farm Wildlife Sanctuary" 🦌🏇 Our 28-acre field seems to be THE hotspot for aspiring hoofed residents! 🤣 Apparently, word has spread among the deer community that we're not just horsing around with our love for animals. 🦌❤️🐴

Who needs a job when you can have a full-time gig being adorable and grazing in our safe haven? 🌳🦌 Horses, deer, rabbits, turkeys, and maybe a squirrel or two—we've got room for everyone! 🌿

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🎉 Big News: 🎉 Mane Characters is officially launching as a 501(c)(3) organization!

We’re more than just an equine rescue. We identify as an equine “reserve.” Our vision goes beyond simple rescue – we tailor our approach to cater to the unique needs of each horse. Whether it’s through rescue, rehabilitation, re-training, re-homing, or providing a peaceful retirement at our farm, we’re committed to giving every horse the best care possible.

Thank you for believing in and supporting our mission. Your trust fuels our journey, and together, we can make an even greater impact.

Join us as we pour love, support, and compassion into the lives of the incredible horses we serve. 🐴❤️🌟

🌳🐴 Honoring Jay Bird: Announcing Jay Bird Grove at Maplehurst Stock Farm 🐎🌳

We have a special announcement to make, dear friends. Today, we pay tribute to the remarkable legacy of Jay Bird, the beloved Standardbred Sire who left an indelible mark on our hearts. Resting peacefully between two pastures at Maplehurst Stock Farm, Jay Bird's presence continues to inspire and captivate us.

Born in 1898 at W.L. Simmons' Ash Grove Farm in Lexington, KY, Jay Bird possessed an extraordinary lineage and unrivaled talent, talent which he would undeniably pass on to his descendants for generations. In 1898, his journey led him to the embrace of Maplehurst Stock Farm, where then owner W.A. Bacon Jr. recognized his greatness and welcomed him as a cherished member of the farm's family.

As we remember and honor Jay Bird's extraordinary life, we are delighted to unveil Jay Bird Grove at Maplehurst Stock Farm. This serene pathway, nestled between the very same pastures he once graced, also pays homage to his birthplace at Ash Grove Farm. Jay Bird Grove at Maplehurst Stock Farm stands as a symbol of his enduring spirit and the legacy he left behind.

Today, we have marked this hallowed ground with a custom sign, graciously gifted to us by an anonymous donor. This sign will forever bear the name "Jay Bird Grove," a testament to the impact Jay Bird made on Maplehurst Stock Farm and the harness racing world.

Join us as we celebrate the life and memory of Jay Bird, a magnificent stallion whose contributions to Standardbred racing will forever be cherished. Let us walk through Jay Bird Grove at Maplehurst Stock Farm, guided by his spirit and inspired by his greatness.

Jay Bird's slogan in life, his epitaph at death, and the continued dominance of his descendants in harness racing over a century later all affirm this enduring truth: "It is always a Jay Bird."

We are thrilled to introduce Lislea Harry, our newest resident and the very first since becoming the new owners of Maplehurst Stock Farm. Harry is a 20-year-old blind Standardbred gelding, rescued from a kill pen by the Standardbred Retirement Foundation and fostered by Wildcat Ranch & Equine Rescue near Frankfort, KS. After learning of Harry's need for a home, we traced his pedigree and discovered that he is a 12th great-grandson of Jay Bird, a famous Standardbred racehorse and stallion from the late 19th and early 20th century. Jay Bird once stood at stud here at Maplehurst and is now buried on the property, with a marble headstone marking his grave. This discovery confirmed that Harry would be the perfect beginning to this storied farm's next chapter.

We worked closely with Wildcat Ranch and the SRF to apply to adopt Harry and provide him with a forever home at Maplehurst. Once our adoption applications were approved with Wildcat and the SRF, we searched for equine transportation companies that had upcoming trips which were running through Kansas and into Kentucky. Fortunately, we found Leonard Horse Transport, a local company that was able to assist us bring Harry home to our farm.

Upon arrival, Harry received a check-up from our farm veterinarian who noted that Harry was still a little skinny, but otherwise healthy. We are slowly increasing his feed to help him gain weight, and he has been improving every day. The vet recommended Harry have his teeth floated, and also suggested that his borium shoes be removed as Harry's wagon-pulling days are now behind him.

Today, our wonderful farrier Oscar Martinez (pictured) came out to remove Harry's shoes and trim his feet. Harry stood calmly throughout the process, showing no signs of nervousness. Next up for Harry is a visit from the dentist to have his teeth floated, which should help with the food dropping issue he's been having while eating.

We are proud to pay homage to Maplehurst's history and Jay Bird's legacy by welcoming Harry as our first resident. Soon we will select an appropriate companion horse for Harry so he can have a pasture buddy. Stay tuned for more updates on Harry's progress!

Dear friends,

We are thrilled to share some wonderful news with you. As the new owners of Maplehurst Stock Farm, a historic Kentucky farm with roots that date back to the 1800s, we are excited to announce that we will soon be welcoming Lislea Harry as our very first resident to the farm. Harry is a 20 year old standardbred gelding who was rescued from a bad situation by the Standardbred Retirement Foundation and Wildcat Ranch & Equine Rescue. Harry is not just any horse, but a descendant of Maplehurst’s very own Jay Bird, a famous stallion who lived at Maplehurst Stock Farm in the late 1800s and early 1900s and now lies here in peace.

It is fitting that Harry will be our very first resident, as we feel it pays tribute to the rich history of our farm, Jay Bird's legacy and Harry's future. We are excited to offer Harry a permanent home for the rest of his life, and we look forward to caring for him and giving him a happy home.

We are grateful to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation and Wildcat Ranch & Equine Rescue for rescuing Harry and bringing him to our attention. The transportation of Harry from Kansas to Kentucky will cost $975, and we welcome any donations to help cover this cost. If you are interested in donating, please send your tax-deductible donation directly to Wildcat Ranch & Equine Rescue via PayPal at [email protected] and include the message "Get Harry to Maplehurst" in the PayPal donations message field.

Even if you cannot donate, we kindly ask that you also help us spread the word about Harry's story by sharing it with your friends and family. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to welcoming Harry to Maplehurst.

Sincerely,
Maplehurst Stock Farm