Jay Bird was born at W. L. Simmons’ Ash Grove Farm in Lexington, Kentucky in 1878 and was sired by George Wilkes, one of the most prominent sires of his time. His dam was Lady Frank, a mare known for producing excellent racehorses.
Upon Simmons’ death in 1898, Jay Bird was sold by Simmons’ estate and purchased by W.A. Bacon Jr. for the sum of $2,600 and was brought to Bacon’s Maplehurst Stock Farm where he spent the rest of his life. His breeding career spanned 25 years, during which he sired numerous successful racehorses.
Jay Bird was known for his speed and stamina, and his success on the track was surpassed only by his success as a sire. His offspring went on to win countless races and earn millions of dollars in prize money. Jay Bird was also known for his distinctive roan coloring, which made him a standout in the racing world.
When Jay Bird passed away on December 18, 1906, just weeks before the start of the 1907 breeding season, his death made headlines around the world. His legacy as one of the most influential standardbred stallions of all time continues long after his death. One of his most famous descendants is Bulldog Hanover, who was the highest earning standardbred of 2022 and also holds several records.
In October of 2022, Bulldog Hanover won the 2022 Breeders Crown Open Trot in a thrilling race at the Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, west of Toronto. The victory was a testament to Jay Bird’s enduring influence on the standardbred racing world, more than a century after his death.
Jay Bird’s slogan, “It is always a Jay Bird,” has continued to be proven true throughout the years, as his descendants continue to dominate the world of harness racing. His legacy as a champion sire and a racing legend will always be remembered in the annals of racing history.
