Richmond man restores toppled headstone of Man O’ War groom Will Harbut at cemetery behind First Baptist Church Maddoxtown

MADDOXTOWN, Ky. A Richmond man who describes himself as a horse history buff has restored a toppled headstone for Will Harbut, the celebrated groom of thoroughbred champion Man O’ War, at a cemetery behind First Baptist Church in the Lexington-area community of Maddoxtown.

According to WKYT, Chad Wells made the discovery last spring while driving from Richmond to visit the barn and paddock area where Man O’ War stood at stud. Wells said he had to stop and pay his respects after learning how closely associated Harbut was with the famous horse, and he later located Harbut’s grave site near the church cemetery.

WKYT reported that when Wells found the headstone, the marker had toppled from its base. The stone is engraved with Harbut’s and his wife Mary’s names and is dated 1947. Wells said he was “heartbroken” by the condition of the grave marker, adding that Harbut was “as much a legend in his own right.”

Harbut served as Man O’ War’s groom and was known, WKYT reported, as a calming presence for the high-strung thoroughbred. The story also notes that the Kentucky Horse Park holds photographs from the 1930s and 1940s documenting the bond between the two, including images associated with the period when Man O’ War stood at stud.

WKYT further said that Harbut and Man O’ War attracted attention beyond racing circles, with visits from the Alabama football team, film star Jeanette McDonald, and members of the Egyptian Army. It also cited documentation from the era showing the pair appearing together on the cover of a national magazine, a time when, as WKYT describes it, it was uncommon for an African American to appear on a publication’s front page.

After Wells discovered the condition of the grave, he reset the marker himself, but WKYT reported he initially did not know who Harbut’s living family members were or how to obtain permission to do the repair. The report said the search for a proper path took time, and Wells later returned with the goal of completing the restoration appropriately.

WKYT did not provide additional details on whether any family members were contacted, whether cemetery officials were involved in approving the work, or when the restoration was fully concluded. The cemetery restoration reflects an effort by a local resident to preserve a piece of Kentucky racing history at a site used by the surrounding community.