Greentree Stable
Encyclopedia
Greentree Stable, in Red Bank, New Jersey
, was a major American
thoroughbred horse racing stable and breeding farm established in 1914 by Payne Whitney of the Whitney family
of New York City
. Payne Whitney operated a horse farm and stable at Saratoga Springs, New York
with his brother Harry Payne Whitney
, who also had a large stable of horses. Greentree Stable had a training base at Aiken, South Carolina
, while Greentree Farm in Lexington, Kentucky
was established in 1925 as its breeding arm.
horse won the 1911 Greentree Cup race at Great Neck, New York
, it was decided to use the Greentree name for several of their properties. Following Payne Whitney's death in 1927, his widow Helen Hay Whitney
took over the operation. With her children John Hay Whitney
and Joan Whitney Payson
, they continued to build on the stable's success.
Greentree Stable horses won many important steeplechase and flat
races throughout the United States. As part of a program honoring important Thoroughbred tracks and racing stables, the Pennsylvania Railroad
named its baggage car #5859 the "Greentree Stable". In January 1928 Thomas W. Murphy]], a renowned harness racing
trainer, became head trainer for Greentree Stable. Murphy stayed until the end of the 1930 Pimlico
fall meeting, and was replaced by James G. Rowe, Jr.
.
Trained by Rowe, the Whitney stable's coltTwenty Grand
earned the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
in 1931 and would be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1957. Hall of Fame trainer John M. Gaver, Sr.
, who won the Belmont Stakes
for the stable three times, trained Devil Diver
, Champion Handicap Horse
in 1943–1944 and the 1953 Horse of the Year Tom Fool
. Both horses were also voted into the Hall of Fame: Devil Diver in 1980 and Tom Fool in 1960. Helen Whitney's steeplechasers won the American Grand National four times (1926–1928 and 1937). Her horse Jolly Roger (who won the Grand National twice) was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965. Greentree Stable also had polo ponies and steeplechasers
, one of which won the 1946 American Grand National. Other steeplechasers raced in England and Ireland.
With the passing of John and Joan Whitney, in 1989 their heirs sold the Kentucky property to its current owners, Gainesway Farm
. The equestrian estate in Saratoga Springs was offered for sale in 2005.
Red Bank, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,844 people, 5,201 households, and 2,501 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,639.1 people per square mile . There were 5,450 housing units at an average density of 3,055.0 per square mile...
, was a major American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thoroughbred horse racing stable and breeding farm established in 1914 by Payne Whitney of the Whitney family
Whitney family
The Whitney family is an American family notable for their social prominence, wealth, business enterprises and philanthropy, founded by John Whitney who came from London, England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635.-Rise to prominence:...
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Payne Whitney operated a horse farm and stable at Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...
with his brother Harry Payne Whitney
Harry Payne Whitney
Harry Payne Whitney was an American businessman, thoroughbred horsebreeder, and member of the prominent Whitney family.- Early years :...
, who also had a large stable of horses. Greentree Stable had a training base at Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken is a city in and the county seat of Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. With Augusta, Georgia, it is one of the two largest cities of the Central Savannah River Area. It is part of the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area. Aiken is home to the University of South...
, while Greentree Farm in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
was established in 1925 as its breeding arm.
History
After Whitney's steeplechaseSteeplechase (horse racing)
The steeplechase is a form of horse racing and derives its name from early races in which orientation of the course was by reference to a church steeple, jumping fences and ditches and generally traversing the many intervening obstacles in the countryside...
horse won the 1911 Greentree Cup race at Great Neck, New York
Great Neck, New York
The term Great Neck is commonly applied to a peninsula on the North Shore of Long Island, which includes the village of Great Neck, the village of Great Neck Estates, the village of Great Neck Plaza, and others, as well as an area south of the peninsula near Lake Success and the border of Queens...
, it was decided to use the Greentree name for several of their properties. Following Payne Whitney's death in 1927, his widow Helen Hay Whitney
Helen Hay Whitney
Helen Julia Hay Whitney was an American poet, writer, racehorse owner/breeder, socialite, and philanthropist. She was a member by marriage of the prominent Whitney family of New York.-Biography:...
took over the operation. With her children John Hay Whitney
John Hay Whitney
John Hay Whitney , colloquially known as "Jock" Whitney, was U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, publisher of the New York Herald Tribune, and a member of the Whitney family.-Family:...
and Joan Whitney Payson
Joan Whitney Payson
Joan Whitney Payson was an American heiress, businesswoman, philanthropist, patron of the arts and art collector, and a member of the prominent Whitney family...
, they continued to build on the stable's success.
Greentree Stable horses won many important steeplechase and flat
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
races throughout the United States. As part of a program honoring important Thoroughbred tracks and racing stables, the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
named its baggage car #5859 the "Greentree Stable". In January 1928 Thomas W. Murphy]], a renowned harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
trainer, became head trainer for Greentree Stable. Murphy stayed until the end of the 1930 Pimlico
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
fall meeting, and was replaced by James G. Rowe, Jr.
James G. Rowe, Jr.
James Gordon Rowe, Jr. was an American Thoroughbred horse trainer.The son of U.S. Hall of Fame trainer, James G. Rowe, Sr., in 1929 he took over from his father as head trainer for Harry Payne Whitney's Brookdale Farm. After Whitney died, James Rowe, Jr. went to work for Helen Hay Whitney's...
.
Trained by Rowe, the Whitney stable's coltTwenty Grand
Twenty Grand
Twenty Grand was an American thoroughbred race horse. Owned and bred by Helen Hay Whitney's Greentree Stable, Twenty Grand was a bay colt by St. Germans out of Bonus.- Racing career :Trained at age three by James G. Rowe, Jr...
earned the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
in 1931 and would be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1957. Hall of Fame trainer John M. Gaver, Sr.
John M. Gaver, Sr.
John Milton Gaver, Sr. was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.Born in Mt. Airy, Maryland, John Gaver graduated from Princeton University then worked as a prep school language teacher before eventually embarking on a career in Thoroughbred racing. In 1929, James G...
, who won the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
for the stable three times, trained Devil Diver
Devil Diver
Devil Diver was an American Thoroughbred racehorse foaled at Mrs. Payne Whitney's Greentree Stable in Lexington, Kentucky. A bay colt by Sir Germans, he was out of Dabchick, and a member of the same foal crop as Shut Out...
, Champion Handicap Horse
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse
The title of American Champion Older Male Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a stallion or gelding, four years old and up. Prior to 1971, this award was referred to as "Champion Handicap Male Horse", and was open to any horse, three years old and up...
in 1943–1944 and the 1953 Horse of the Year Tom Fool
Tom Fool
Tom Fool was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, a winner of the American Horse of the Year award and a Hall of Fame inductee. He sired the outstanding racehorses Buckpasser and Tim Tam....
. Both horses were also voted into the Hall of Fame: Devil Diver in 1980 and Tom Fool in 1960. Helen Whitney's steeplechasers won the American Grand National four times (1926–1928 and 1937). Her horse Jolly Roger (who won the Grand National twice) was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965. Greentree Stable also had polo ponies and steeplechasers
Steeplechase (horse racing)
The steeplechase is a form of horse racing and derives its name from early races in which orientation of the course was by reference to a church steeple, jumping fences and ditches and generally traversing the many intervening obstacles in the countryside...
, one of which won the 1946 American Grand National. Other steeplechasers raced in England and Ireland.
With the passing of John and Joan Whitney, in 1989 their heirs sold the Kentucky property to its current owners, Gainesway Farm
Gainesway Farm
Gainesway Farm is an American Thoroughbred horse breeding business in Lexington, Kentucky. It was originally called Greentree Farms.The 1,500 acre property has been home to sires such as Youth and Exceller and numerous others who are buried on the property...
. The equestrian estate in Saratoga Springs was offered for sale in 2005.
U.S. Triple Crown race winners
- Kentucky DerbyKentucky DerbyThe Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
:- 1931: Twenty GrandTwenty GrandTwenty Grand was an American thoroughbred race horse. Owned and bred by Helen Hay Whitney's Greentree Stable, Twenty Grand was a bay colt by St. Germans out of Bonus.- Racing career :Trained at age three by James G. Rowe, Jr...
- 1942: Shut OutShut Out (horse)Shut Out , was an American Thoroughbred racehorse sired by Hall of Famer Equipoise, the multiple stakes winning champion his fans called "The Chocolate Soldier." Shut Out was bred by the Greentree Stable in Lexington, Kentucky owned by Mrs...
- 1931: Twenty Grand
- Preakness StakesPreakness StakesThe Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
:- 1949: Capot
- Belmont StakesBelmont StakesThe Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
:- 1931: Twenty GrandTwenty GrandTwenty Grand was an American thoroughbred race horse. Owned and bred by Helen Hay Whitney's Greentree Stable, Twenty Grand was a bay colt by St. Germans out of Bonus.- Racing career :Trained at age three by James G. Rowe, Jr...
- 1942: Shut OutShut Out (horse)Shut Out , was an American Thoroughbred racehorse sired by Hall of Famer Equipoise, the multiple stakes winning champion his fans called "The Chocolate Soldier." Shut Out was bred by the Greentree Stable in Lexington, Kentucky owned by Mrs...
- 1949: Capot
- 1968: Stage Door JohnnyStage Door JohnnyStage Door Johnny was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for his win in the third leg of the 1968 U.S. Triple Crown series, the Belmont Stakes. -Bred for racing a distance:...
- 1931: Twenty Grand