Lexington philanthropist, horse-racing icon Marylou Whitney dies

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ/AP) – Marylou Whitney, socialite, philanthropist, and prominent owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses, died on Friday at the age of 93.

The New York Racing Association announced Whitney’s passing, saying she died after a long illness.

Whitney, who was known as the “Queen of Saratoga,” was among the most successful owners in thoroughbred racing. She opened her own stable after the death in 1992 of her husband, Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney, son of Saratoga racetrack builder William C. Whitney.

She was named as a 2019 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee this year.

She and her husband, John Hendrickson, were instrumental in donating and raising money for museums in New York and Kentucky.

Whitney also raised money for medical institutions in New York and Kentucky. She and Hendrickson donated $2.5 million for the Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson Cancer Facility for Women at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. The Stroke Recovery Center at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital is also named in honor of Whitney and Hendrickson.

Whitney held pre-Kentucky Derby parties at her Lexington estate for years.

There was a moment of silence at the Saratoga Race Course Friday after her death was announced.

Whitney is survived by her husband and five children.