Almahurst Farm

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Historical Marker #565 in Jessamine County notes the location of Almahurst Farm, producer of Exterminator, a Kentucky Derby winner, and a number of great harness horses, including Greyhound.

One of Almahurst Farm's claims to fame is that it foaled Exterminator, winner of the 1918 Kentucky Derby. Although bred at Almahurst, Exterminator was the product of McGee, out of Fair Empress, and was sold as a yearling to J. Cal Milam, who had the awkward colt gelded. As a two-year-old, Exterminator won at Latonia, but was soon sold to Willis Sharpe Kilmer for $9,000.

At long, 30-1 odds, and racing on a wet track, Exterminator, who had not raced since a two-year-old, won the 1918 Derby by a length. Ridden by a reluctant Willie Knapp, the jockey was supposed to have ridden Sun Briar, who had been scratched due to an injury. Knapp obviously became a big fan of Exterminator. In 1957, Exterminator was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Another famous horse—although not a thoroughbred—was bred at Almahurst. Greyhound, a standardbred, came to be recognized as the foremost world champion trotter. Foaled in New York in 1932, the "Grey Ghost" was sired by Guy Abby out of Elizabeth. In 1935, Greyhound took the Hambletonian Stake, the most important race for three-year-old trotters. Three years later, he set a then world record mile run at one minute, fifty-five and a quarter seconds, a record that stood for more than thirty years. During his short, five-year career, Greyhound held fourteen world records. Greyhound’s track record was so impressive that he was named the outstanding trotter of the twentieth century.

In 1994, Almahurst Farm was sold to Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey who renamed it Ramsey Farm. Although the name has changed, it remains a working horse farm.