05/01/2026
Ward Hall will be open this weekend, as Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday brings horse racing and Kentucky into the world spotlight once again, annually on the first Saturday in May. On May 17,1875, the first Kentucky Derby was run at the Louisville Jockey Club Grounds, later known as Churchill Downs. The race distance was 1.5 miles, a bit longer than the 1.25 miles adopted over 20 years later, in 1896.
Junius Ward was a contributor to the earlier thoroughbred horse racing scene, over 50 years earlier than Churchill Downs. Mentored by his future brother-in-law, Captain Willa Viley, the pair was active by 1820. By 1826 and closer to home, the new Kentucky Association Track was established in Lexington by such leaders as Henry Clay and Dr. Elisha Warfield. Recognized as the oldest turf organization in America, annual race meetings began in 1828 until 1890. The racetrack was closed in 1933 and demolished by 1935, clearing the way for the new Keeneland Association. In Louisville, two early race tracks were Oakland Race Course (1833-1850s) and Woodlawn Race course (1858-1870). Fashionable Woodlawn was known as the "Saratoga of the West" and was successful at first, but succumbed to financial reverses and lasted only 12 years, which included the Civil War years. Junius Ward was also active in Mississippi and Louisiana. He was an early part-owner of the legendary racehorse Lexington (1850-1875), along with Abe Buford, Willa Viley, and eventual outright owner Richard Ten Broeck. A listing of some of his other racehorses can be found on the Ward Hall website. New Orleans and Natchez were other venues in the mix.
Ward Hall was built in the 1850s, at the same time as racehorse Lexington was winning his 6 out of 7 races at the astonishing distance of 4 miles (best 2 out of 3 heats!), standard at the time. Lexington trained in Natchez in 1854. The famous match race 1854 and rematch 1855 against LeComte was held at Metairie Race Course in New Orleans. He was sold to stud in 1856 for an all-time record price of $15,000, and brought home to Kentucky at Woodburn Farm.
It is thought that Junius Ward was an active horseman, racer and breeder for over 40 years, and helped elevate the early horse industry in Kentucky and elsewhere. Ward Hall tours are from 1 - 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10.00.
