By R, David Shew
Spring in Kentucky is a magnificent time of the year. The dogwoods are blooming as well as the irises and many other flowers are blooming. The first weekend in May is the time of the year for the most famous horse race in America, if not the world, or the Kentucky Derby.
This year proved to be an eventful weekend for Lexington trainer, Kenny McPeek. Kenny and his go-to jockey, Brian Hernandez Jr., started off the weekend with a wire-to-wire Oaks victory aboard Thorpedo Anna on Friday. Then on the first Saturday in May, Mystic Dan pulled off almost the unthinkable with none other than Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle and trained by Kenny McPeek.
Below is the list of seven other jockeys who have won the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same year. This list includes the Oaks winners followed by the Derby winners.
1884: Isaac Murphy with Modesty and Buchanan
1933: Don Meade with Barn Swallow and Brokers Tip
1950: Bill Boland with Ari’s Mona and Middleground
1952: Eddie Arcaro with Real Delight and Hill Gail
1966: Don Brumfield with Native Street and Kauai King
1993: Jerry Bailey with Dispute and Sea Hero
2009: Calvin Borel with Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird
Only two other trainers have won the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same year or racing season. They are Herbert J. Thompson in 1933 and Ben Jones who won in 1949 and 1952 and now Kenny McPeek in 2024. This feat is called the Oaks/Derby Double.
McPeek owns and operates Magdalena Farm on Russell Cave Road. He purchased the 115-acre farm in 2006, and one of the jewels on the farm is a mile and one-half turf training track that is 100 feet wide. The turf track has a steep incline at the end similar to those in Europe.
McPeek also is the founder of Horse Racing NOW app where the viewer can watch live horse racing on a mobile device.
My connection to Kenny McPeek and Magdalena Farm goes back to the late 80s. I was working for an accounting firm in Lexington and William du Pont III was the owner of Pillar Stud on Russell Cave Road as well as a client of the accounting firm. I worked on Mr. du Pont’s tax return which included Pillar Stud and farms in France and Australia. This was my first look at the works of a horse farm.
Several years later, a friend was working with McPeek at Magdalena Farm helping Kenny with his Horse Racing NOW app. My friend introduced me to Kenny who happens to be a gentleman of the sport. Kenny took me and my friend on a tour of Magdalena Farm, which was formerly Pillar Stud, and I will never forget Kenny talking about his love for the sport and his farm.
Congratulations Kenny and hope to see you soon at the Thoroughbred Restaurant on Leestown Road. I will gladly buy your lunch to hear your version of winning the Oaks and Derby on the first weekend in May.
