Pin Oak Stable

Josephine Abercrombie

Birthdate: January 15, 1926

Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

Residence: Versailles, Ky.

Family: Two sons

Josephine Abercrombie and her father, Texas oilman James Smither Abercrombie, purchased a 1,348-acre farm in Versailles, Ky., in 1952 and founded the original Pin Oak Stud. In 1987, Josephine Abercrombie designed and developed the new Pin Oak near the original property.

James Abercrombie and his partner developed a blowout preventer to control gas pressure in deep oil wells. Josephine Abercrombie, who was an accomplished show rider in her youth and spent some time as a boxing promoter, has led the farm to prominence.

The stable has bred or campaigned more than 100 stakes winners. Pin Oak has bred two classic winners, 1976 Preakness winner Elocutionist and 1982 English St. Leger winner Touching Wood. Pin Oak also bred the Canadian champions Peaks and Valleys and Hasten to Add.

Abercrombie was the national breeder of the year in 1995. The prominent sire Maria’s Mon stood at Pin Oak until his death in 2007. He sired two Kentucky Derby winners, Monarchos in 2001 and Super Saver 2010.