L.V. HARKNESS - Key Persons

Lamon Vanderburg Harkness had a passion for the finest things in life: silver, crystal, boats, horses. In 1869, at 19 years of age and with a $500 stake from his father, L.V. began his career in land and cattle. He would later become a large shareholder in the Standard Oil Company, a venture co-founded by his father. In 1891, pursuing a life passion-horses-L.V. purchased Walnut Hall Stock Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. His keen eye and uncompromising tastes transformed Walnut Hall into the foremost standardbred breeding and racing establishment in the world.