[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              TRIBUTE TO WARNER JONES--MR. CHURCHILL DOWNS

                                 ______


                            HON. JIM BUNNING

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 1994

  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. Speaker, last Sunday night, Kentucky lost a great 
son, the horse industry in this Nation lost a great champion, and I, 
like many other Kentuckians, lost a great personal friend when Warner 
L. Jones, Jr., passed away at the age of 78.
  Warner Jones was a paradox. He had a gruff old voice and a stern face 
furrowed like chiseled granite. But, at the same time, he bubbled over 
with a warmth the rough exterior couldn't hide and a generosity that 
gripped your heart the moment you met him. He hobnobbed with royalty 
and Arabian sheiks but he still played Willie Nelson tapes when he 
drove around his farm. He was definitely a man worth knowing.
  As he would have wanted, Warner Jones, died as he lived most of his 
life, at Hermitage Farms, a farm in Oldham County, KY, which he bought 
at the age of 19, with borrowed money, and which he turned into one of 
the most famous and most successful thoroughbred breeding operations in 
the history of horseracing.
  Because of his love for thoroughbred horseracing, Warner became the 
self-appointed custodian of the thoroughbred breeding and racing 
industry in Kentucky. And he did a mighty good job of it. During his 51 
years as a director at Churchill Downs, he was personally responsible 
for much of the success, and the reputation of the premier of all 
sporting events--the Kentucky Derby. He should be known as Mr. 
Churchill Downs.
  Warner Jones' influence was also felt nationally. He was a key figure 
in the establishment of the American Horse Council and, later, he 
played an active role in the creation of the Breeders Cup. Overall, I 
think it is safe to say that Warner Jones was undoubtedly one of the 
most important figures in thoroughbred racing in this century.
  Warner Jones loved thoroughbred racing. And Warner Jones was 
definitely a thoroughbred himself. I will miss him but I will never 
forget him.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the memory and 
the accomplishments of Warner Jones of Hermitage Farms.

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