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Home , Artful, Bostonian (horse), Broomstick (horse), Buskin (horse), Colin (horse), Commando (horse)

Brookdale Memories New Jersey farm was a racing power for generations

By Cindy Deubler

avid Dunham Withers was attracted to the fertile river-fed farmland of Lincroft, N.J., and created DBrookdale Farm in the 1870s. Philanthropist Geraldine Thompson saw her home as one that should be shared with others, and in the late 1960s bequeathed a substantial portion of what was once one of the greatest farms in North America to Monmouth County to be used as a park. outh County Park Sy s te m Colle c tion Mon m outh County Park

22 Mid-Atlantic September 2013 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 23 outh County Park Sy s te m Colle c tion Mon m outh County Park With no horse in sight (other than the nation’s best , boasted the finest America’s leading turfmen Withers’ land purchases from 1872 to the Withers-bred Golden Rod. The stable February 1896 – he was only 59 – it came occasional riding horse), Thompson Park – bloodlines in its broodmare band, and 1888 expanded the farm to 838 acres, and included a juvenile colt Thompson named as a huge blow to the industry. The stable the former Brookdale Farm – stands as a provided a superb training facility utilized D.D. Withers created it, Colonel William he oversaw every detail, including layout The Sage, in honor of Brookdale’s . was taken over by his sons, Lewis S. and glorious link to New Jersey’s golden age in by industry giants named Withers, Keene P. Thompson had great plans for it, legend- and construction. By the late 1870s, he had The Sage won that year’s Autumn Maiden William P. Thompson Jr. history. and Whitney. At the farm’s height, more ary Hall of Fame horseman James G. Rowe a growing broodmare band, stallions, and Stakes at Sheepshead Bay in . Sr. utilized it, and Located less than a dozen miles from than 100 employees kept things running training barns filled with homebreds who Well-liked and well-regarded as a great preserved it. For more than a half century, Rowe in charge the Jersey Shore, and a short trip to Mon­ smoothly, and hundreds of horses gal- raced in his solid black silks. sportsman, Thompson was a charter mem- Brookdale Farm was the base of operation at turn of the century mouth Park, Thompson Park covers 667 loped over the fertile soil. Withers’ stable was still growing when ber of The Club when it was for some of the most powerful stables in acres and serves as the headquarters for A century ago, Harry Payne Whitney’s he died at 71 on Feb. 18, 1892. Eleven established in 1894, and was one of its Rowe ran a successful stable for the the world. the Monmouth County Park System. homebred chestnut yearling months later, it was reported that the farm seven appointed stewards. Equaling his Thompsons, sending out Brookdale home- “I didn’t embark in breeding – I drifted Open free to the public every day of the was learning her early lessons at her place had been sold to Thompson. enthusiasm for his racing stable was the bred L’Alouette to win the Futurity Stakes into it,” Withers was quoted years after year, the beautifully maintained grounds of birth, and soon became a legend. Her First making his fortune as an execu- stable’s success – in less than two years, he in 1897, the richest race for juveniles in the establishing Brookdale Breeding and Stock offer places to picnic or hike, community Derby win came just two years tive with Standard Oil, and later becoming had campaigned a top-class filly named country. But the Thompsons soon turned Farm. The shipping magnate initially want- pottery and craft classes, playgrounds for after Whitney’s Brookdale-foaled and president of the National Lead Company, *One I Love, winner of four stakes as a their attentions to other interests, and ed a weekend and summer retreat in close children, off-leash exercise areas for dogs. -raised and Prince Eugene won Thompson was a newcomer to the sport, 2-year-old in 1895 (defeating, among oth- faded from the racing scene. proximity to to expand Wildlife abounds, mature trees line walk- the 1913 Preakness and , but jumped in full tilt, not only purchas- ers, ), as well as Requital, whom Brookdale had become Rowe’s home, his Thor­oughbred racing stable. What he ing paths. It’s a paradise for those who respectively. The training barn still stands, ing the property, but also a number of the he purchased following the juvenile colt’s and in 1899 he was training a Brookdale- created was an establishment with “a repu- love the outdoors, in an area fast being the 1-mile training track is now a tree Withers estate’s horses. rich Futurity victory in 1895. bred gelding he owned outright. When tation second to none anywhere in the engulfed by development. shaded trail, and the spirits of the greats The first string to carry Thompson’s Thompson had grand plans for his Chacornac was entered in that year’s country,” noted racing historians in the The outline remains of once enor- are felt at every turn. red and green colors debuted in 1894 and stable, and hired as his trainer James Futurity, he caught the attention of one of 1898 tome The American Turf. mous Brookdale Farm, which stood the Thompson got his first winner in May with Rowe. When Thompson died suddenly in the sports greatest breeders and owners,

24 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 25 James R. Keene, who paid Rowe $25,000 two days before the race to take over own- ership. Remaining with Rowe, Chacornac became the third Brookdale-bred Futurity David D. Withers – Racing’s Mr. Withers’ Anger winner in five years. An account in the Thursday, Keene took out a lease on the Brookdale Renaissance Man Nov. 13, 1890, Advance and property and for the next decade sent Democrat, revealed the passion his Castleton Stud youngsters to Rowe avid Dunham Withers was born reported on June 30, 1890: “It is simply and competitive nature of the to train, including Hall of Fame legends in New York City, made a fortune impossible to tell in print what this grand generally “staid” Withers: in cotton in New Orleans, spent work of Mr. Withers, the crowning , and . D D.D. Withers, the well-known time in Paris during the Civil War, then effort of his career as a racing man, is Rowe’s tenure with Keene ended with breeder and owner of , returned to his native city. But it was to like. Massively magnificent, superbly the disbandment of the stable a few years is one of the most imperturbable men Brookdale Farm in nearby Lincroft, N.J., appointed in every way, imposing in after Colin’s retirement in 1908. By that who frequent a race track. He never where he retreated and devoted his time each detail . . . The architectural and time another legendary racing family took sends any money into the ring and only to his love and passion of Thoroughbred engineering triumphs are his alone, for he an interest in Brookdale. races his horses for glory. At the same racing. planned every detail after years of study time he is very much chagrined when Once “engaged in the business, he as to the needs not only of racegoers, but sm an Y ork S p ort Whitney Stable grows anything goes wrong, but he was never continued in it with that enthusiasm and of horse owners.” When criticism of the

T he N e w known to vent his disappointment upon at Brookdale unreserved devotion that characterized all size of the plant was expressed, Withers anyone in his employ until the other day Brookdale Farm was home to the his proceedings as a sportsman,” noted was quoted as saying, “But it was not when Jockey Simms got a severe raking Thompsons, but they had no need for The American Turf chroniclers in the late built for today, but for all time.” over from the Sage of Brookdale. It much of the vast property, which was per- 1890s. Less than two years later, Withers had appears that Mr. Withers had a filly fectly appointed for use as a breeding and died, and a number of events forced the Withers was one of the pillars of entered in a two-year-old stake on one training establishment. The Thompsons track’s closure by 1894. The property a sport at a time when licensing and of the last days of the Morris Park leased the barns and land to a number was sold in 1897 and the “enormous regulations scarcely existed. His obituary meeting. He had come all the way that of top stables – the first notable residents cantilever grandstand of iron” was torn in the New York Herald noted: “He made morning from Long Branch to see being Keene’s runners. down. a study of racing law, and was the best the youngster’s performance. With a became racing authority in America. He had a Theories and idiosyncrasies great criticism in the powerful field glass he watched the start engrossed in Thoroughbred breeding in wonderfully retentive memory, and was for Maryland press. and although his representative was 1897, and by 1902 had established a large a much deeper student than even his led to breeding success owner/breeder/ “One cannot tell when not especially favored she got off well broodmare band – with a number of friends thought he was.” Before taking By many accounts, Withers was trainer William Jennings the colors (all black) of Mr. in the ruck. The contestants had not bred by Withers – as well as a of on a larger role as an owner, he became particular, opinionated, determined in 1887, but Withers stood Withers have a chance of being in run a hundred yards, however, before exceptional quality, , a $60,000 a governor of the American Jockey Club and enterprising. As a breeder, he had other stallions equally as successful. front, and when least expected he comes with the filly got pocketed. With a feeling of purchase out of the estate sale of Marcus in 1866, and later served as chairman admirers and detractors. “He had his And the pendulum could also swing the a Report in the Nursery or the Monmouth disgust he lowered his field glass and Daly in 1900. While he kept his breed- of the first Board of Control, precursor own peculiar theories in regard to the other way, an example being his stallion Cup which staggers the speculators. . .” was allowed his neighbor to describe the race ing stock in Kentucky, Whitney leased a of The Jockey Club. He was one of the development of the Thoroughbred, Ventilator, “whom he despised.” Withers was the commentary in April 1881 in The New to him. It turned out that the youngster portion of the New Jersey farm for his founding fathers of Jerome Park, and and persisted in following those, ever compelled to sell all the Ventilator yearlings, York Times. But the writer was quick to add: was pocketed no less than four times racehorses. had a race named in his honor in 1874, refusing to cater to the likes and dislikes due to his “ineradicable prejudice,” in 1890, “Whatever may be said of Mr. Withers’ and then finished third. Young Simms The greatest success for the W.C. which remains on the stakes schedule at of others,” it was written in The American including future stakes winner Air Plant to actions as a turfman – and he has been was summoned before the Sage of Whitney runners came with trainer John W. Aqueduct to this day. Withers won the Turf. “His judgment was not always Michael F. Dwyer. severely criticized – we do not know of any Brookdale and given a severe lecture. Rogers, who took over the stable in 1901. race with homebred King Eric in 1890. , but he steadily held to his The account in the Herald noted that: one who has questioned his sincerity in his “How was it, Simms!” said Mr. A member of the inaugural Racing Hall of own opinions. When he had come to “Though ultra-conservative in most of his endeavor to promote the welfare of the Withers. Fame class of 1955, Rogers sent out a host Racetrack entrepreneur a decision in regard to the merits of a affairs, Mr. Withers out-radicaled the radicals sport, to elevate its standard, and at the same “I was pocketed,” replied the jockey. of champions for Whitney, and following It was at Brookdale that Withers stallion, nothing could change him, even at times.” time improve the breeding of the American “Of course; I know that,” the senior Whitney’s death in 1904, for son hosted a meeting of industry leaders who though the racing world refused to follow Another of Withers’ eccentricities was race horse.” ejaculated his employer, “and even four Harry Payne Whitney. would purchase and conduct race meets him or buy his yearlings.” that he would never name a horse until “he Withers constantly changed trainers and times at that.” Between the 1901 and 1913, eight win- at Monmouth Park starting in 1878. One of his most ardent pursuits was earned a name by winning a race.” Among jockeys – it was reported that over the 25 “Beg your pardon, sir; only three,” ners of the Belmont Stakes spent a por- The first Monmouth Park opened in of the colt Uncas, one of the last sons of those was one of his best runners, a colt years of his turf career, he had 16 trainers, responded Simms, “for after I saw I tion of their young lives at Brookdale, 1870, but in less than a decade was failing the great stallion . by home stallion Sensation out of the and usually engaged whatever jockey he had no chance to win I pulled up the either with Rowe or Rogers. The Belmont financially. A group which consisted of, Intending to acquire the colt at any imported Faverdale. When the juvenile fancied at the time. “He no doubt lost filly, and what you took for another winners were Keene’s , , among others, August Belmont, Pierre cost, Withers missed his opportunity won Monmouth Park’s and many races on this account, the jockeys not pocket was only my kindness to the Peter Pan, Colin and , and H.P. Lorillard, George Peabody Wetmore, to purchase him as a yearling in 1877, Carteret Handicap in 1888, he had yet to be knowing the peculiarities of his horses,” animal.” Whitney’s filly , plus Burgomaster James Gordon Bennett and Withers, arriving to the sale too late. Years later named. Eventually he became Favordale, and reported the Herald. “Racing may have never “Zounds, boy,” roared Mr. and Prince Eugene – the latter three all purchased the property in the spring of he persuaded the colt’s buyer, Pierre would go on to stand at stud at Brookdale. been able to understand just what was the Withers, “I came from Brookdale to foaled at Brookdale. 1878. They refurbished the track in 1882. Lorillard, to sell him privately, and it The management of Withers’ racing stock trouble with the Withers horses – whether it see my horses win and not to have them During Rogers’ years at Brookdale, up By the late 1880s, the immense was reported that when the sale went drew the ire of bettors on more than one was training, breeding or bad jockeyship.” petted. You are discharged.” to his death in 1907, a steady stream of popularity of the race meet at through, “Withers threw up his arms and occasion. At one end, he was lauded for his For all his investments and success, Young Simms will never ride stellar runners flowed, including future Monmouth Park forced an expansion. exclaimed, ‘Well, I’ve got the horse I’ve sportsmanship – “A man strictly honorable Withers did not campaign a true “star,” but another race for Mr. Withers, but the Hall of Fame filly , a just-turned Withers headed the project, and when been after all my life. There is the best in all his dealings, he raced not for money, he ranked among the nation’s leading owners latter’s ill luck has stuck to him and he 2-year-old when the elder Whitney died. the new track reopened, it was described stallion in America.’ ” but out of pure love for the sport,” it was by money won in the last decade of his life. has since sold the filly that caused him Rogers also directed the campaigns of as “the finest running race course Uncas went on to sire 10 stakes noted in his obituary in the March 12, 1892, However there was no denying his impact to lose his temper for the first time in Tanya (by *) and Burgomaster (by ever constructed.” winners, including Preakness winner The Illustrated American. But he also received on the sport. his life. Hamburg).

26 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 27 K eeneland-Cook L i b rary outh County Park Sy s te m Colle c tion Mon m outh County Park L .S Sut c liffe Trained by James Rowe for breeder James Keene, Peter Pan had already Purchased by H.P. Whitney as a young stallion, was the nation’s Famed exercise rider Marshall Lilly takes a strong hold on Keene’s A just-turned 2-year-old when her breeder W.C. Whitney died, Hall of Famer sired Pennant when H.P. Whitney bought him to stand at Brookdale in 1913. leading sire three straight years. His five classic winners were led by Regret. undefeated Colin. Rowe wanted his epitaph to read “He trained Colin.” Artful competed for H.P. Whitney after purchased from his father’s dispersal. K eeneland-Cook L i b rary L .S Sut c liffe K eeneland-Cook L i b rary One of the most valuable stallions at the turn of the century, Hamburg Whisk Broom II, a son of Broomstick, destroyed his competition in the 1913 , one of the greatest handicap horses of the 20th century, The first filly to win the (in 1915), New Jersey-bred Regret – made his stud career for the Whitneys and died at Brookdale in 1915. Handicap Triple Crown, and launched a stellar stud career at Brookdale. campaigned for C.V. Whitney following H.P. Whitney’s death in 1930. a homegrown product of H.P. Whitney’s stud – routinely defeated the boys.

H.P. Whitney was 33 when his father For the next decade, the Whitney stable aging *Mortemer (purchased at the age of his death in September 1915. The mighty One of the promising Broomstick year- Whitney and Rowe died, and immediately took on the chal- would be stocked with runners foaled in 21) sired numerous stakes winners. son of was a sensational race lings of 1908 was Whitney’s future Hall of formidable duo lenge of expanding his own racing empire. New Jersey, and the would H.P. Whitney raised the bar much high- horse, the nation’s leading sire in 1905, and Famer, Whisk Broom II, who would also In May 1904, three months following his maintain a presence at the farm until the er. When his father’s horses were dispersed became renowned through his daughters, join the stallion roster at Brookdale. Political battles were erupting in New father’s death, Whitney leased Brookdale, early 1930s. in October 1904, H.P. secured Hamburg among the most prized Artful and Frizette, Whitney added yet another top-class Jersey and New York at the turn of the with the primary intent of moving the for $70,000. In coverage of the dispersal, the latter the ancestress of and sire when he purchased the Castleton Stud century, which led to anti-racing measures Kentucky-based breeding stock to New World class stallions held at Madison Square Garden, The New Mr. Prospector. Another Hamburg filly, stallion Peter Pan in the fall of 1913 from and laws prohibiting betting, and forced Jersey. The New York Times reported “. . . Withers sought to create a superb roster York Times noted: “It had been expected Jersey Lightning, was the dam of Regret. the Keene estate. Peter Pan, then 9, had the closure of tracks in those two states. A under the terms of the contract Mr. of stallions for his own private use, and that Hamburg would bring a price in excess In 1908, two Whitney Stable yearlings sired two high-class colts in his crop of number of prominent owners either sold Whitney is to take possession of the por- their success may have been far greater had of $100,000, but the very fact that young showed tremendous promise, and when 1911 – and Pennant – the lat- their stock and got out of the business or tion needed for a breeding farm in Sep­ their owner pursued it. Few of Withers’ Mr. Whitney wanted the horse and bid their sire, Broomstick, was offered for sale ter owned by Whitney and winner of the shipped to in search of quality tember.­ Col. Thompson’s heirs will retain horses were sold during his lifetime, other on him openly, probably had the effect of as part of a dispersal in the fall of 1908, Futurity just three days before the sale. competition (the result of the latter was possession of the country seat and the than to cull the numbers or satisfy a par- stopping other prospective bidders, as it Whitney bought him too, for a modest During a time of uncertainty in the indus- the English Jockey Club passing the Jersey farm attached, while the paddocks, pasture ticular whim, and the management of his was realized that Mr. Whitney would go $7,250. Broomstick stood at Brookdale the try, prices had deflated, and Whitney’s high Act of 1913, which refused registration to land, and training quarters will be occu- racing stable often brought criticism. Yet to a great figure for the horse, and other next six years, and sired his best runner, bid for one of the nation’s most promising “half-bred” American horses – thus elimi- pied by Mr. Whitney’s stock. The training with somewhat limited opportunities, his breeders declined to engage in a fruitless Regret, in 1911. The son of Ben Brush, sires was $38,000. The son of Commando, nating their ability to race in that country). quarters at present are rented by James European imports *King Ernest, *Stone­ contest with him.” also a member of the Hall of Fame, was who stood two seasons in New Jersey, When Keene shipped the majority of R. Keene, who will retain possession until henge and *Macaroon, American-breds The 9-year-old stallion was sent to the the nation’s leading sire for three consecu- lived to be 29 and died a pensioner at the his stable to Europe in the fall of 1910, September.” Sensation and Uncas, and the renowned, Lincroft farm, where he remained until tive years (1913-’15). Whitney Stud (in Kentucky). Rowe’s future became speculation, with

28 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 29 Brookdale Farm History 1872—1967 many believing he would soon be train- spring of 1912, Whitney was hoping for a ing across the Atlantic. In early 1911, The Owners RACING STABLES FAMOUS TRAINers FAMOUS RESIDENTS colt, thus “regretted” getting a filly. New York Times wrote: “That (Rowe) will 1872 1872 D.D. Withers begins 1872 Withers Stable (Date is first year associated with Brookdale) Regret was always a stable star. Winner go to Brookdale in the spring there can 1872 of the Saratoga Special, Hopeful and hardly be a doubt. For Luther Schenck, purchasing land and building in her only starts at 2, she the man who has managed such of the REPORT (1876, Withers) Brookdale made her 3-year-old debut in the Kentucky famous Monmouth County Farm for Mr. UNCAS (1881, Withers) 1877 Derby and won by 2 lengths. Her only Thompson as Mr. Whitney has not used FAVORDALE (1886, Withers) 1877 other start that year was another vic- it for his Thoroughbreds, has been noti- tory over colts, in the Saranac Handicap fied to move out of the fine house Mr. *MORTEMER (1886, Withers) at Saratoga. Thompson built 10 years ago for Mr. KING ERIC (1887, Withers) 1882 Regret’s only loss in four starts as a Rowe. Mr. Rowe and his family are prepar- COMMANDO REQUITAL (1893, Thompson) 1882 5-year-old came in the Brooklyn Handicap ing to move in.” Rowe was about to start *ONE I LOVE (1894, Thompson) at Aqueduct. Facing fellow Kentucky the next chapter of his incredible career. PENNANT L’ALOUETTE (1895, Thompson) Derby winners and *Omar The association of Rowe and Whitney 1887 (1897, Keene) Khayyam, as well as top handicappers resulted with Rowe being leading trainer CHACORNAC 1887 Stromboli,­ and her own stable- in the country in 1913 and 1915 (he also COMMANDO (1900, Keene) , Borrow, she was on the lead for the 1 led in 1908 while training Keene’s run- DELHI (1902, Keene) entire 1 ⁄8 miles until caught at the wire by ners). The H.P. Whitney stable was the 1892 1893 Col. William P. Thompson 1893 Thompson Stable SYSONBY (1903, Keene) Borrow (in receipt of five pounds), and nation’s leading owner in 1913 and four 1892 lost by a nose in track record time. times in the 1920s (and would have been purchases Brookdale and ARTFUL (1903, H.P. Whitney) When she retired in 1917, Regret had leading owner in 1915, but distraught fol- continues development TANYA (1903, H.P. Whitney) won nine of 11 starts, the majority against lowing the tragic death of his brother-in- 1897 1896 Lewis S. Thompson and 1895 James G. Rowe Sr. HAMBURG (1904, H.P. Whitney) males, and was inducted into the Hall of law, , Whitney’s begins training for 1897 Fame’s third class in 1957. horses ran in the colors of his friend Lewis William P. Thompson Jr. inherit 1899-1910 BURGOMASTER (1904, H.P. Whitney) Thompson). Rowe remained in charge of Brookdale upon father’s death James 1901-1904 Col. W.P. Thompson PETER PAN (1905, Keene) Land in capable hands the Whitney stable until his death, at 72, 1902 1898 Lewis Thompson and wife R. Keene W.C. Whitney Stable takes COLIN (1906, Keene) Col. Thompson expanded upon in 1929. 1899 James G. Rowe Sr. 1902 Geraldine take over ownership Stable over James R. Keene stable SWEEP (1908, Keene) Withers’ plans when he took ownership of Rowe won a record eight Belmont 1904 -1930 WHISK BROOM II (1908, H.P. Whitney) Brookdale. In addition to maintaining the Stakes, from 1883 to 1913, the last with H.P. Whitney Stable 1901 John W. Rogers dozens of structures on the property, he Whitney’s Prince Eugene. Fourteen 1907 BROOMSTICK (1908, H.P. Whitney) trains for W.C. Whitney 1907 proceeded with plans to build a mansion times he sent out a Whitney runner in BORROW (1908, H.P. Whitney/Thompson) starting in 1895. the Preakness, with seven top-three fin- 1910 James G. Rowe Sr. takes BUSKIN (1910, bred by H.P. Whitney) The residence was still under construc- ishes and a win with Broomstick’s son tion when Thompson died early the next Broomspun in 1921. Rowe defeated the 1912 charge of H.P. Whitney stable PRINCE EUGENE (1910, H.P. Whitney) 1912 year, and wouldn’t be completed until immortal Man o’ War with in the until his death in 1929 PENNANT (1911, H.P. Whitney) 1898. Described as a “Colonial Revival 1919 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga, and PRINCE EUGENE REGRET (1912, H.P. Whitney) with 29 rooms, 14 fireplaces and six bath- won nine Futurity Stakes when it was the rooms,” it was a great home to raise richest race for 2-year-olds in the world. 1917 THUNDERER (1913, H.P. Whitney/Thompson) 1917 the growing brood of children of Lewis According to the Racing Hall of Fame, he and his wife Geraldine, who moved to trained 34 recognized champions, more JOHN P. GRIER (1918, H.P. Whitney) Brookdale in 1896. The Thompsons had than any other trainer in history. nine children – four of their own, and five 1922 BROOMSPUN (1919, H.P. Whitney) And Rowe won the Kentucky Derby 1922 of relatives who had been orphaned. twice, with in 1881 (for the Dwyer The Thompsons’ lease agreement with Brothers) and perhaps the most famous of 1929 James G. Rowe Jr., the Whitneys, which would last more than all his classic victories, with Regret in 1915. father’s assistant, takes (1925, H.P. Whitney) 30 years, provided for the maintenance of 1927 the property. The Whitneys paid $1 per Regret was a totally homegrown filly over H.P. Whitney string (1925, H.P. Whitney) 1927 for Whitney, and rewarded his faith in his year to use the vast estate, but with the selection of bloodstock. Not only had the 1930-1933 (1926, H.P. Whitney) understanding that it would be maintained, JOHN P. GRIER and the taxes and insurance paid. The breeder purchased her sire, Broomstick, 1932 C.V. Whitney Stable BOOJUM (1928, H.P. Whitney) 1932 barns, pastures, paddocks and tracks were and her grandsire Hamburg, but also (1929, C.V. Whitney) granddam Daisy F., another out of his EQUIPOISE kept in pristine condition and Whitney father’s dispersal. (1930, C.V. Whitney) made improvements, such as enclosing the 1936 Geraldine Thompson Beginning in the massive training barn to allow indoor train- Regret’s dam, Jersey Lightning, was 1937 ing. (At one time there were three tracks remains as proprietor after mid-1930s 1937 a wonderful producer. Regret had two on the property, including the 1-mile main classy full brothers – multiple stakes win- husband’s death variety of track of which an outline can still be seen.) ner Barnegat and Futurity Stakes win- local trainers Whitney had shifted his breeding stock ner Thunderer – and a half-brother by to Kentucky by 1917, but continued to *All Gold named Vivid, who won the base his training operation at Brookdale Champagne Stakes. 1967 1967 Geraldine Thompson until his death at 58 in 1930. The farm The naming of Regret is part of racing 1967 would receive the Whitney yearlings lore: when Jersey Lightning foaled in the dies and bequeaths farm to TOP FLIGHT each summer – among the final crops Monmouth County Photos COURTESY OF: Monmouth COUNTY park system collection, KeenEland-Cook Library, The Blood-Horse, sutcliffe Pictures, RACING IN AMERICA 30 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred September 2013 31 Within a few short years W.C. Whitney (left) created an impressive stable with trainer John W. Rogers, shown conferring with jockey Arthur Redfern. Cindy D eu b ler (2) Cindy K een E land-Cook L i b rary One of racing’s all-time Geraldine Thompson greats, James Rowe Sr. (right) gifted 215 (above), enjoyed a successful acres of the main career as a jockey before farm, as well as the becoming a legend as a family’s mansion, to trainer. His association Monmouth County with Brookdale spanned to be used as a four decades, starting with Pillars of Thoroughbred racing: park in 1967. The Col. Thompson in 1895. H.P. Whitney (above left and at right) mansion became The flag was flown at half- and James R. Keene ran two of the a visitor’s center, mast at Saratoga upon his most powerful stables in the country. but was destroyed death on Aug. 2, 1929. Their dozens of champions, classic by fire in 2006. A winners and future Hall of Famers near replica (top) spent part of their lives at Brookdale. was rebuilt by the county and opened w ood C.V. Whitney (right) took over Sy s te m Colle c tion Mon m outh County Park in 2009. The original the Whitney Stable upon Lewis Thompson with the yearling daughter of Hamburg and Daisy F. at training barn (above), his father’s death in 1930, Brookdale Farm in 1906. The filly, Jersey Lightning, later produced Regret. enclosed during the but chose not to renew the w ood & under Whitney years, is now

Brookdale lease in 1933. under

b lood-hor s e li rary used for storage. outh County Park Sy s te m Colle c tion Mon m outh County Park were Hall of Famers Equipoise and Top Barns were leased out to trainers based the Monmouth County Organization the buildings at the college were adapted County also stepped in to preserve the Tours of the grounds are given by Flight, Kentucky Derby winner Whiskery at Monmouth Park, which had opened its for Social Services in 1912, and served from original barns and other existing farm past, rebuilding the three-story mansion, park staff, and nearly 14 miles of trails cut and Preakness winners Bostonian and doors once again in 1946. Land continued eight consecutive terms on the Board structures. Found on the campus is a statue which is used as a visitor center, after the through the property. Whiskery’s full brother Victorian, as well to be used for crops, and in 1940, 200 acres of Control of the State Department of of Regret, the focal point in a garden in original structure was destroyed by fire in At nearly every turn, there is a connec- as the extremely quick Boojum. were sold for a dairy farm. Institutions and Agencies (1918-’57). She the student community area. The history February 2006. Reconstructed at a cost tion to history. Y Harry Payne’s son, Cornelius Vanderbilt Geraldine Thompson was a champion spent the majority of her 95 years helping of Regret became part of a fund-raising of more than $7 million, the visitor center (C.V.) Whitney, chose not to renew the of social issues, and became politically others, and the final gift – upon her death campaign for the college, which sold com- is a near replica of the original mansion, For more photos of historic Brookdale and lease in 1933, and when Lewis Thompson active in a pursuit to help those in need. She in 1967 – was 215 acres of her land, as well memorative bricks with proceeds desig- but was designed to be more functional. Thompson Park, visit www.midatlantictb.com. died in 1936, the future of the farm was was named the “First Lady of New Jersey,” as the mansion which was her home for nated to provide scholarships for students It reopened to the public in the summer Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred thanks the left in Geraldine’s hands. serving as the state’s first woman delegate seven decades. and alumni. of 2009. Monmouth­ County Park System for usage of its photographs and extensive background research in to the Republican National Convention Monmouth County also purchased 221 Saving history Inside is the Mon­mouth County Park Brookdale in later years in 1923 and was the first woman to be acres of Thompson’s estate, the former System’s well-researched exhibit on the putting together this story. appointed to a state board in New Jersey. breeding farm portion of Brookdale, to be Without the foresight of Geraldine extensive history of the farm, which With Geraldine Thompson at the helm, Her resume was vast: she was the driv- used for Brookdale Community College, Thompson, the history of Brookdale includes rare personal photos from the Brookdale remained a viable operation. ing force behind the establishment of which opened its doors in 1969. Many of Farm would have been lost. Monmouth Thompson family.

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