Our history with horses runs deep here at the resort, from the famous double decker horse and bicycle track popular in the 1800s, to the Kentucky Derby theme that greets you today when you step inside 1875: The Steakhouse.
Here’s another you might not know about: Let us introduce
you to Peter the Great.
If you’ve been up to The Pete Dye Course at French Lick, maybe you’ve seen Peter’s statue but never realized how big he is in the horse world. The very definition of a stud, in fact.
Peter was one of the biggest money earners on the track during
his time as a standardbred trotter. But the span of time beyond his racing
career elevated him to legend status. Peter the Great sired nearly 550 standard
track performers in the early 1900s, believed to be the double the number sired
by any other racing stallion.
Busy guy, that Peter.
Peter the Great lived until 1923 — news of his passing was
reported by the New York Times — and his remains were buried at Fletcher’s
estate in Indianapolis. A small stone monument was later erected at the burial
site. When Fletcher declared bankruptcy in 1924 and was forced to unload his
assets. The buyer of much of Fletcher’s property, including the horse stables,
was Thomas D. Taggart.
Taggart, of course, was part of the family that had French
Lick Springs Hotel booming during this era. His father (also named Thomas) owned
the hotel at the time. The elder Thomas Taggart built a home for each of his
children, and Thomas D.’s mansion was located on the hilltop at Mt. Airie. Then
it was an isolated spot; now it’s home to our Pete Dye Course.
The former Taggart family mansion is now the Mansion at The Pete Dye Course. |
The front and back side of Peter the Great's monument, first created around 1930 and relocated to Mt. Airie. |
The monument was briefly relocated down the hill to the West
Baden Springs Hotel property. But in 2009 when The Pete Dye Course opened, the
stone marker was returned to its rightful spot with the remains on Mt. Airie.
Next time you’re visiting — even if you’re not playing a round of golf at Pete Dye — make a point to stop at Mt. Airie where Peter the Great’s legacy lives on, amid some breathtaking views of the Hoosier countryside.