Helen Drake Jones, Bred Epsom Derby Winner Henbit, Dead
Updated: November 18, 2003
Posted: November 18, 2003
Helen Drake Jones, who bred 1980 Epsom Derby (Eng-I) winner Henbit, died Nov. 16 at her Lexington, Ky. home. She was 80.
A Lexington native who attended the University of Kentucky, Jones owned Mineola Farm, which was founded by her father, E. Gay Drake. A charter member of the Thoroughbred Club of America, Drake campaigned major homebred winner Swoon's Son.
Henbit was the best of the many stakes winners bred and raised at Mineola at the time the farm was operated by Jones and her late husband, Jack G. Jones Sr. Henbit defeated 23 rivals in winning England's greatest race the year he was an English champion.
Helen Drake Jones, whose husband died in July of 2002, was a member of the Keeneland Club and a volunteer with the "Reach to Recovery" program of the American Cancer Society.
Jones is survived by a son, Jack Jr., and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodford County Humane Society, P.O. Box 44, Versailles, Ky., 40383, or the donor's favorite charity.
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