Whitney Family Donates Trophies to National Museum

One of the most significant collections of American Thoroughbred racing trophies in the sport's history—the Whitney family collection—has been bequeathed to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame by the late John Hendrickson, the museum's former chairman who unexpectedly died in August 2024. The collection is comprised of more than 400 trophies—including eight Triple Crown race trophies won by Whitney family-owned runners—as well as numerous trophies commemorating important victories by Hall of Fame inductees Equipoise, Regret, Silver Spoon, Top Flight, and Whisk Broom II. The collection includes trophies won by horses owned by William Collins Whitney, Harry Payne Whitney, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, and Marylou Whitney, who was Hendrickson's late wife. "The Whitney family's legacy in American racing spans more than 125 years and is nothing short of exceptional," said Charlotte Weber, the museum's chair. "The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is honored to receive such an important collection that represents the grand history of a wonderful family's unwavering multigenerational commitment to Thoroughbred racing and their remarkable achievements in the game. We look forward to being a steward of this wonderful gift and sharing these historic treasures with the public." The oldest item in the collection is the 1899 Belmont Stakes trophy, which was won by Jean Bereaud in track-record time at Morris Park for William Collins Whitney, the patriarch of the Whitney racing dynasty. Four additional Belmont Stakes trophies won by Burgomaster (1906), Phalanx (1947), Counterpoint (1951), and Birdstone (2004) are also part of the donation. The Whitney gift features the Kentucky Derby trophies won by Regret (1915) and Whiskery (1927). Hall of Famer Regret became the first of three fillies to win the Run for the Roses, prompting the Louisville Courier-Journal to report: " … never shall we forget her gorgeous appearance on that memorable afternoon in May at Churchill Downs as she was led around the paddock before the race and later, when, with colors up, she stepped out on the course looking every inch a queen … receiving an ovation of which even royalty might well have been proud. Peerless Regret she was hailed and peerless she undoubtedly was, and from this day, she must be thought of with this descriptive adjective affixed." The Harry Payne Whitney-owned Broomspun (1921), Bostonian (1927), and Victorian (1928) each won the Preakness during the 1920s, and those victories are recognized in a singular Woodlawn Vase trophy honoring the three horses. Selections from the Whitney trophy collection will be on display in the Museum's McBean Gallery through Dec. 28. A formal exhibition of the collection will be presented in 2027, coinciding with the 100th running of the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Other selected highlights from the Whitney family trophy collection include: Kentucky Derby: 1915, 1927 Preakness Stakes: 1921, 1927, 1928 (singular trophy recognizing all three winners) Belmont Stakes: 1899, 1906, 1947, 1951, 2004 Ashland Stakes: 1971, 1975 Blue Grass Stakes: 1950, 1960 Futurity Stakes: 1931, 1946 Jockey Club Gold Cup: 1947, 1951 Kentucky Oaks: 1958, 1973, 1975, 2003 Santa Anita Derby: 1959, 1960 Santa Margarita Stakes: 1947, 1959, 1960 Saratoga Special Stakes: 1914, 1922, 1929, 1935, 1976 Travers Stakes: 1954, 1960, 1968, 2004