Marylou Whitney, Queen of Saratoga, Dies at 93

Marylou Whitney, who carried on the legacy of one of Thoroughbred racing's great dynasties, died July 19 at her Cady Hill home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the New York Racing Association announced. She was 93.

Known as "the Queen of Saratoga," Whitney is responsible for the iconic New York town's comeback from the doldrums, bringing the biggest Hollywood stars there and throwing grand parties.

Continuing the stable perpetuated by her late husband, C.V. "Sonny" Whitney, Marylou Whitney won the 2004 Belmont Stakes (G1) with homebred Birdstone , who went on to sire classic winners Mine That Bird and Summer Bird. She also took the 2003 Kentucky Oaks (G1) with homebred Bird Town.

Born Marie Louise Schroeder in Kansas City, Whitney was the daughter of an accountant who knew eventual President Harry Truman and a mother who loved equine and showed five-gaited Saddlehorses.

"I was born on a horse," she said in a 2011 interview. "We rode every single weekend. I had a horse from the time I was big enough to get on one."

Whitney became a popular wartime disc jockey playing popular music for servicemen during World War II. In 1958, she married C.V. Whitney, the son of Harry Payne Whitney and grandson of William C. Whitney, the latter of whom bought the land and built the current racetrack at Saratoga. William C. Whitney won the Belmont Stakes in 1899, 105 years before Marylou duplicated the feat.

Before Sonny Whitney died in 1992, he dispersed his bloodstock, and Marylou took a chunk of the money she inherited and bought back all of the Whitney bloodstock she could. She maintained a boutique stable ever since. 

In 1997, Whitney married John Hendrickson, who assumed the duties of president of Whitney Industries.

In recent years, the couple started a backstretch appreciation program for stable workers in Saratoga, providing daily dinners and entertainment events. She also funded hospitals and the Museum of Dance, along with many other projects in the Saratoga area, as well as in Kentucky and other locales. She received the Eclipse Award of Merit in 2011, at which she said, "The backstretch workers are the sport's unsung heroes. These wonderful people work long hours in dangerous situations while often living in poor conditions. All of us should try more to improve their lives and advance their dignity."

"Marylou Whitney's participation in Saratoga's culture is the most significant of anyone in her time," stated Saratoga historian, author, and Turf writer Michael Veitch in 2011. 

For seven decades, Whitney was among the most successful owners in Thoroughbred racing. Sonny Whitney was a founder of the National Museum of Racing and Pan American Airlines, respectively, in 1958. Their stable embarked on a winning tradition, with Tompion capturing the Travers Stakes in 1960 and Chompion winning the Mid-Summer Derby in 1968.

The family's contributions to racing went beyond trips to the winner's circle. In the 1970s, the Whitneys helped convince NYRA to keep Saratoga Race Course open as a viable part of its racing calendar at a time when wagering and attendance sagged. Their efforts and long-term vision continue to benefit racing, with the Saratoga meet attracting more than one million fans annually.

"An avid horsewoman and true lover of the sport, Mrs. Marylou Whitney was one of Thoroughbred racing's greatest ambassadors," said NYRA CEO and president Dave O'Rourke. "As owner of her eponymous stable, Marylou was a top breeder and a committed supporter of the Thoroughbred industry who delivered some of the most memorable moments in New York racing.

"Marylou's passion for racing was only matched by her love for the city of Saratoga Springs and her support for the backstretch community. Her generosity was unparalleled, and the list of her contributions is endless. Saratoga would not be the destination it is today without the esteemed leadership, dedication, and support of Marylou.

"Marylou's love of this sport and city will have a lasting impact on generations to come. On behalf of the New York Racing Association, we offer our deepest condolences to her beloved husband, John, and their family and friends."

Beyond racing, the Whitneys made a huge impact in the Saratoga community, founding the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, which opened in 1966 and continues to host world-class musical and dance performances to this day, helping turn Saratoga into a true summer destination for tourists.

Following C.V. Whitney's death at 93, Marylou Whitney opened her own stable, which garnered industry-wide acclaim with her Eton blue and brown silks quickly becoming synonymous with racing excellence.

In 2003, Bird Town, trained by Nick Zito, made Whitney the first woman in 80 years to own and breed a Kentucky Oaks winner. Whitney and Zito continued to make history with Birdstone's Belmont win, ending Smarty Jones' Triple Crown bid. Birdstone then won the Travers (G1) just before a massive rainstorm pelted Saratoga.

In all, Marylou Whitney Stables earned nine graded stakes victories and campaigned more than 190 winners from 2000-19.

Whitney was elected to the Jockey Club in 2011. She earned the moniker "First Lady of the Kentucky Oaks" in 2015 for her charitable works.

As an indelible part of Saratoga's history, the Whitney legacy can be seen all over Saratoga Springs, including along famed Union Avenue outside of Congress Park where in 2015 she and Hendrickson gifted a statue of Native Dancer that has become a landmark at the start of the street where the famed racetrack sits. That same year, NYRA enshrined Whitney in the Saratoga Walk of Fame, where the most legendary trainers, jockeys, and owners in the Spa's rich history are honored. 

In 2018, Whitney was in attendance as the Racing Hall of Fame inducted three generations of Whitneys as Pillars of the Turf. She was elected to this year's Pillars of the Turf class, which will be enshrined Aug. 2.

Whitney is survived by her husband and her five children—Louise, Frank, Henry, Heather, and Cornelia.

INDUSTRY REACTION

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame 

"The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame extends its deepest condolences to the family of Marylou Whitney and her husband, John Hendrickson, on the passing of Mrs. Whitney. A kindhearted friend to the museum, the sport of Thoroughbred racing, and the Saratoga Springs community, Mrs. Whitney was a beloved and irreplaceable icon whose extraordinary legacy will have a lasting effect on future generations."

NTRA president and CEO Alex Waldrop

"Marylou Whitney embodied all of the best qualities of the sport to which she devoted her time, heart, and resources. From her exceptional philanthropy to her innovative mind and indelible spirit, she was a champion of excellence in every endeavor she graced. The Thoroughbred racing community—and the world—have suffered a great loss, but we are forever grateful for her lasting contributions to our sport."

The Jockey Club

"The Jockey Club mourns the loss of Marylou Whitney, a true pioneer in horse racing. From her countless acts of generosity in support of racing's backstretch workers to her success as an owner and breeder, she made important and lasting contributions to our sport, especially in Saratoga, and she will be missed. We extend our condolences to Marylou Whitney's husband, John Hendrickson, and to her family and her many friends and fans."

Breeders' Cup Limited

"Like all of us in the racing world, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Marylou Whitney today.  Whether it was her extraordinary philanthropic endeavors, her festive galas, or her racing stable of stakes winners, Marylou devoted all of her energies to our sport and its traditions, most prominently, her beloved Saratoga. Marylou has left an indelible mark of distinction, class and style upon Thoroughbred racing. Our sincere condolences to her husband, John, and Marylou's extended family."