Throughout horse racing history, women have been instrumental in contributing to the progression and advancement of the sport both on and of the track.

Although horse racing remains a largely male-dominated world, women continue to break down barriers as jockeys, trainers, owners, breeders, and farm managers.

To honor International Women’s Day, the Daily Racing Blog would like to acknowledge a woman that made a lasting impact on one of horse racings greatest venues.

Known as The Queen of Saratoga, Marylou Whitney was a philanthropist and socialite who helped lift the iconic, upstate New York town back from the doldrums by bringing the biggest Hollywood stars to Saratoga and throwing grand parties to celebrate the town and all it had to offer.

In the 1970s’ Marylou and her then husband Sonny Whitney (one of the founders of the National Museum of Racing) helped convince the New York Racing Association to keep Saratoga Race Course open as a viable part of its racing calendar at a time when wagering and attendance sagged.

Marylou, who died July 19, 2019, at age 93, carried on the legacy of one of Thoroughbred racing’s great dynasties and did so much more than simply race in the famed Eton blue and brown silks of the Whitney family.

She became the first woman in 80 years to breed and own a Kentucky Oaks Winner (BIRD TOWN, 2003). She Won the Belmont Stakes and Travers the following year with homebred BIRDSTONE.

Whitney also was presented with the Eclipse Award of Merit in 2010 and was elected to The Jockey Club in 2011.

In all, Marylou Whitney Stables earned nine Graded Stakes Victories and campaigned more than 190 Winners from 2000-2019.

In 2015, 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.

On August 2nd of 2019, two weeks after her passing, Marlou Whitney was enshrined into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.