Lexington Horseman Preston Madden Dies at 85

Preston Madden, a Lexington native and heir to one of the most well-respected and historic Thoroughbred breeding families in the state, died May 5 at his home. He was 85. 

In news first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader, Madden family friend Ruth Ann Childers said that Madden had recently been ill and was briefly hospitalized last week before being cleared to return home. Childers said COVID-19 was unrelated to Madden's death. 

A graduate of the Culver Military Academy, Madden attended Stanford University and the University of Kentucky. In 1955 he married socialite Anita Myers, whom he had met while the two were students at UK. The couple were known for their extravagant Kentucky Derby Eve parties which occurred annually for nearly 40 years until the death of Anita's mother in 1999. The couple also made headlines for their breeding operation at Hamburg Place, which had originally been purchased and developed by Madden's grandfather, John E. Madden.

The Maddens were married for 62 years until Anita's death in 2018. 

John Madden was one of the most prominent Thoroughbred owners, breeders, and trainers of the late 19th century. In 1896 he purchased the Hanover colt Hamburg for $1,200 from Col. Enright of Elmendorf Farm. The proceeds earned from the horse's racing career allowed him to purchase 235 acres of land in Lexington, which he eventually expanded to 2,000 acres. Hamburg Place Stud went on to produce five Kentucky Derby winners and five Belmont Stakes winners, the most famous of which is Sir Barton, the first winner of the Triple Crown. 

Preston Madden took over the farm's operation in 1956 with the hope of following in his grandfather's footsteps. He and Anita bred an Alydar colt foaled in 1984 out of the Lt. Stevens mare Bel Sheba, which he sold as a yearling to Dorothy and Pam Scharbauer for $500,000 from the Keeneland July Yearling Sale. Named Alysheba, the colt went on to win the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, earning the title of champion 3-year-old colt. He claimed seven more grade 1 victories and was named Horse of the Year and champion older horse in 1988. 

In the 1990s, Anita Madden and the couple's only son, Patrick W. Madden, helped develop the majority of the property into one of the largest retail and residential developments in the region now known simply as Hamburg.

Childers said a celebration of Preston Madden's life will be held at a later date. Milward Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.