Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
AXTELL
AXTELL. Charles W. Williams, a businessman and horse breeder/trainer, approached the HIGHLAND STOCK FARM of Henry L. STOUT and Frank D. STOUT which was wanting to rid itself of some of the stock that did not meet with standards. Williams purchased two mares and sent them to Kentucky. The non-standard mare, Lou, was bred to a stallion and her foul, Axtell, became one of the most famous stallions in early harness racing. (1)
Axtell set the world stallion trotting record at Terre Haute, Indiana on October 11, 1889 in 2:12.0. After the race, he was purchased by a syndicate for $105,000, $30,000 more than had ever been paid for any horse of any kind. (2) He was maintained at Warren Park Farm in Terre Haute. Due to an injury, he never raced again but received a $1,000 stud fee and became one of the greatest sires in harness racing history. Axworthy, the son of Axtell, became one of the five foundation stallions of all Standard-bred horses. (3)
Both Axtell and Axworthy were inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Trotter in Goshen, New York in the first two years of the Hall of Fame's existence. Axtell died in Terre Haute in 1906. (4)
Currier and Ives represented that their picture of Axtell was when he set the world mark.
---
Source:
1. Hudson, David; Bergman, Marvin and Horton, Loren. The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City, 2008
2. "The Trotters," The Dubuque Herald, November 7, 1895, p. 4
3. Hudson
4. Hudson