Arthur B. Hancock
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Arthur B. Hancock (June 26, 1875 - April 1, 1957) was an American breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses who founded the renowned Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
Born in Ellerslie, Virginia, Arthur Hancock was a brother to scholar and educator Harris Hancock (1867-1944). Their father, Capt. Richard Johnson Hancock, owned Ellerslie Stud in Albemarle County Virginia and Arthur chose to follow in his fathers footsteps. In 1908 he married Nancy Tucker Clay of Paris, Kentucky who inherited a family farm property they named Claiborne Farm. Arthur Hancock expanded the Ellerslie Stud to his wife's Kentucky property and eventually transferred the bulk of his operation there.
Importing breeding stock from Europe Arthur Hancock made Claiborne Farm an international leader in breeding, sales, and racing. He bred Vigil, the 1923 Preakness Stakes winner. Among his famous sires was Sir Gallahad III purchased from France who was the leading sire in 1930, 1933, 1934, and 1940 and who sired 1930 U.S. Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox. Hancock was part of a 1936 consortium that imported Blenheim II from England and in 1944 he purchased Princequillo who became the leading U.S. sire for 1957 and 1958.
Arthur Hancock died in 1957 and his son Arthur Jr. took over the business.
[edit] References
- Hancock family papers at Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
- University of Kentucky family profile
- Stone Farm official website with brief Hancock family history
