Exterminator: Binghamton’s Beloved Horse-Racing Legend
Throughout history there have been iconic horses that have helped transcend the sport, while also leading a lasting impact on people that spent time in the presence of the equine star.
That is very much the case when it comes to Exterminator, whose death in September 1945 was mourned by the entire population within the Binghamton community.
For those from the outside, or with little interest in horse betting promotions, it is hard to put into terms how important the equine star was for the area.
Exterminator was kind hearted and would be happy to meet all of his adorning fans, meaning his impression was felt by generations of people that were lucky enough to be in his presence.
Early Life on the Track
Exterminator was bred by F.D. Dixie Knight, and foaled near Kentucky at Almahurst Far. Hopes were high among breeders that the lanky chestnut colt would be bound for bright things on track, as he was sired by McGee, who produced 1913 Kentucky Derby winner, Donerail.
However, any breeding value vanished in 1916 after connections made the decision to have Exterminator gelded due to his awkward style. The decision immediately gained vindication, as he would make a pleasing start to his two-year-old season, winning a six-furlong maiden at Latonia by three lengths.
However, the fact that he was 17 hands meant that precautions needed to be taken at his young age to avoid suffering a serious injury, meaning he would be box-bound after spraining a muscle at Windsor in 1917.
Ascension to a Superstar
Despite struggling with injury setbacks as a two-year-old, there were still high hopes among connections when it came to Exterminator’s three-year-old campaign. He was sold to Willis Sharpe Kilmer for $9,000 before the start of the 1918 season, an eye-watering sum for a horse aimed to just help Sun Briar become a Kentucky Derby winner.
It would be fair to say that Kilmer didn’t have high hopes for the purchase, and called him a ‘truck horse’. His main job was supposed to help Sun Briar train, but plans soon changed as Exterminator would seamlessly beat his stablemate on any gallop at the yard.
Following an injury to Sun Briar, Kilmer needed to be encouraged to enter Exterminator into the Kentucky Derby, with Churchill Downs president Colonel Matt Winn pressuring the owner into running the race.
Kentucky Derby Success
There were slim hopes surrounding Exterminator’s chances in the Derby, with owners seemingly bowing to running him in the race with little belief that he could actually win. Heavy rain fall in the morning of the 1918 Kentucky Derby did little to aid their fears, especially since Exterminator hadn’t run in any race since his two-year-old start in Canada.
Willie Knapp was booked to take the ride on the three-year-old in the Derby, with the jockey recalling his ‘disappointment’ that he needed to ride Exterminator.
The odds also gave the horse now chance, as he was sent off at 30/1. However, he would prove all doubters wrong at Churchill Downs, sitting at the back of the pack before storming through the field to beat Escoba by a length. An unlikely winner, which few will ever forget.
Further Successes
Exterminator would later show that his Derby success was no fluke, winning over $252,000 in prize money across his 99 career starts. Following his win in the Derby, Exterminator would enjoy Ben Ali Handicap and Pimlico Cup success in 1999.
However, it would be the following three seasons in which his star would reach unrivalled heights. The five-year-old would win the Saratoga Cup, Toronto Autumn Cup, and Jockey Club Cup in 1920, before winning the prior mentioned two races along with the Autumn Gold Cup in 2021.
In his final full season on track, Exterminator would win the U.S. Champion Older Male Horse honor for a third straight season, while also being named the American Horse of the Year. His final start would come at Dorval Park in June 1924, finishing third behind Spot Cash in the Queen’s Hotel Handicap.
Retirement
Exterminator raced until the old age of nine, and was called ‘Old Bones’ by his adorning fans. He lived in Virginia until the death of Kilmer in 1940, before moving to Binghamton soon after.
However, after welcoming thousands of visitors from the local region, Exterminator sadly passed away at the age of 30 in September 1945. The horse was later buried at Whispering Pines Pet Cemetery in Binghamton, meaning locals could still visit to pay their respects.
He was buried alongside his old stablemate Sun Briar, and Suntica. Exterminator remains one of the most celebrated horses in U.S. history, with his record of 33 stakes victories being unsurpassed to this day.
Such was his influence on the public, he was also voted 29th in the top 100 champions of the 20th century by Blood Horse.
