Here it is, that slice of history, the stallion barn at Claiborne Farms. Claiborne Farms is probably the best thoroughbred farm in the history of American horses. It started in Virginia when a Hancock was recovering in the home of the Harris family in Ellerslie from his three Civil War injuries as a Confederate soldier. He married one of their daughters, and his son, A.B. Hancock, Sr. loved the breeding, racing and selling of horses.He travelled to Kentucky to judge horses and met Nancy Clay, a lady whose family owned what would become Claiborne. They married and then in 1910, both her parents died within 4 days of each other. Arthur Boyd and Nancy ended up at Claiborne Farms and though they initially focused on tobacco, corn, cattle and sheep, they eventually turned to thoroughbreds 24/7!
A.B. Hancock, Sr. bred more than 138 stakeswinners, A.B. "Bull" Hancock, Jr. bred more than 111, and Seth Hancock, the third generation and the fellow now in charge, bred more than 138! Collectively, Claiborne bred more than 400 stakeswinners and is still going strong! Claiborne has been on the leading sire list in North America 28 times, including 15 years straight in 1955-1969! The fabulous Hancock family led the breeder's list 10 times, and foaled 17 Horses of the Year!!
During one magical moment of their history, Bull Hancock formed a very special productive friendship with the New York banker, William Woodward, Sr. They brought Blenheim to the States, and Bull also brought Nasrullah.