Will Harbut (1883 - 1947) — Award accepted by Great Grandson, Greg Harbut
Mr. Harbut was born in Lexington and lived in Maddoxtown where he worked for several local horsemen. He also worked at Walnut Hall Farm and Glen-Helen Stud where farm manager Harrie Scott, learned to appreciate Harbut as a great horseman. In 1930, Scott accepted a new farm manager’s position at Faraway Farm, and hired Harbut to work as a groom.
At Faraway, Harbut catered to every need and want of Man o’ War, the famous chestnut colored Thoroughbred, often referred to as “Big Red”. Man o’ War was, and is still, known as the greatest racehorse of the twentieth century. Big Red had a long career of breaking records and he won twenty out of twenty-one races. He retired to the Faraway in 1921 where he was taken care of by John Buckner until 1930.
To prepare for his job at Faraway Farm, Harbut studied Man o’ War’s racing records and in his rich baritone voice, Harbut recited Man o’ War’s great racing achievements as he presented him to the thousands of farm visitors. He and Big Red were photographed together thousands of times and in 1941, were on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. It was estimated that 30,000 to 50,000 people visited Faraway Farm to see the pair.
Harbut’s legacy was that of a long-time dedicated groom and friend to the greatest horse of the time. In April of 1946, Will had a stroke and was unable to return to work. Harbut passed away on October 3, 1947 and was buried in the Maddoxtown Baptist Church Cemetery. Man o’ War passed away a month after Harbut’s death.
Cunningham “Bud” Graves (1899 - 1963) — Award accepted by Grandson, Kalvin L. Graves
Graves worked with horses most of his life. During a 2016 interview Mrs. Williams, Graves daughter, said that her father traveled to various tracks with horses. Hot Springs, Arkansas was one of the places she remembered. She recalled that a crew of fourteen men, each leading a horse, would walk to the train depot. After her father gave up traveling with horses, he went to work at Faraway Farm.
Graves was stud groom for War Admiral and War Relic, offspring of the famous Man o’ War who had retired to the farm in 1921. Williams vividly remembered when her father had been kicked in the face by War Admiral, knocking out all his front teeth. The family feared he might die. Graves did recover, had his teeth replaced in gold, and went right back to work.
In 1946 Will Harbut, who had been Man o’ War’s stud groom, became ill. Graves was assigned to care for the Thoroughbred.
On October 29, 1947, Jim Sames was asked to come to the farm to take a photograph of the thirty-year old Man o’ War. Sames had a roll of color film, the first he had used. He took a confirmation shot with Graves holding the lead. After the first photo, Man o’ War faltered, almost falling. O’Neill, farm manager, told Graves to return him to the barn. On November 1, 1947, the veterinarian, farm manager and Graves witnessed the death of the Thoroughbred. Graves assisted with preparation for the burial of the stallion.
Elias “Shug” White (b. 1920)
Mr. White, as a young boy, worked at the old Kentucky Association track. He said that he would hurriedly finish his chores at home so that he could go to the track to make extra money. He walked horses for trainers and parked cars for race fans. But he stated that he never had a desire to ride a horse even though his size would have made him an ideal jockey.
His work at the track ended abruptly when his grandfather discovered what he was doing. His grandfather was all too familiar with the substance abuse and gambling of those in the industry. He did not want to see his grandson be influenced by the environment.
Mr. White celebrated his 100th birthday in 2021.