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Milward Funeral Directors

159 North Broadway

Lexington, Kentucky

Jesse Wigginton Obituary

WIGGINTON Jesse Norman "Sonny" died July 31 in Lexington. A thoroughbred racehorse trainer, he was well known throughout Kentucky as well as on a racing circuit that included Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR. His home base was Keeneland. Mr. Wigginton was born in Lexington December 11, 1934, son of J.N. Wigginton, Jr., and mother, Jane Olan Walker Wigginton. He graduated from Henry Clay High School in 1952 and attended University of Kentucky. He served in Korea for the U.S. Army beginning in 1957, following the Korean War. Returning to Lexington with an honorable discharge in 1958, he worked for seven years for Sistrunk and Co. He joined on with the Hal W. Steele racing stable to learn the training of horses and also worked in the racing office at Mile Park. Mr. Wigginton began training racehorses full-time in 1968. Mr. Wigginton raced at Arlington Park, Saratoga, and Belmont Park in addition to numerous Midwestern tracks. Among the better-known horses in his stable were Gold Spring, Flying Continental, Bidis, Witchy Woman, Paranoide, Pancho Press, My Sweet Lass, Russian Emperor, Jake The Flake, Dr. Right, Martyr's Glory, Panama Riddle, Wickedly Wild, Fight For Three, Hold The Truth, Bat-Que, Powder, and Frisky Kitten. He named Gold Spring as the best horse he trained and Flying Continental as his favorite. He was also especially fond of Native of Kentucky for winning 13 races. Survivors include his wife, Lydia Wigginton; daughter, Leah (Michael) Yagodich; two sisters, Scharme and Alice Wigginton; two grandchildren, Will and Izzy; and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the staff of the VA Hospice Unit. Visitation will be Saturday from 5-8pm, Milward-Broadway. Services will be private. Memorials may be made to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Hospice Unit 27-2, 1101 Veterans Dr., Lexington, KY 40502 or Keeneland Association Chaplaincy Michael Powers, P.O. Box 1690, Lexington, KY 40510. www.milwardfuneral.com

Published by Lexington Herald-Leader on Aug. 2, 2013.
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Dear Alice and Family,

So sorry to read about Sonny in the paper. Daddy always spoke so highly of him at Sistrunk and with racing. I remember him mentioning Frisky Kitten. Where have the years gone? Thinking of you...

Anne Jeffries

August 4, 2013

j t lundy

August 3, 2013

My sympathies are with your family at this time. I am so grateful for the years I worked for you. You treated each horse as an individual and like they were one of your kids. I have such great memories of working for you and winning many races as a groom. You will not be forgotten.

Pat Kastensmidt

August 2, 2013

Sonny was a great horsemen and a very humble and nice man, who loved Hot Springs and his native Lexington. I hope he's having an ice cold beer in heaven. He's earned it.

Keith Chamblin

August 2, 2013

Sonny you will be missed by all who knew you. I thank the good Lord each day for people like you that have crossed my path and taught me something.

Kelly Danner

August 2, 2013

The best trainer I ever had. A joy to be around. His legacy lives on with Dean, Eva and scores of grateful owners.
Rod and the rest of Pondscum Racing

August 2, 2013

I am sure there will be a lot of horses for you in your next voyage.

Porky and Mary Ann Welsher

August 2, 2013

All of our best to Sonny's family. We will really miss our visits in Lexington and at Keeneland and Churchill Downs with Sonny. He was always upbeat and optimistic about his profession that requires so much patience and where there are constant of peaks and valleys. Sonny was a great horseman and representative of the horse racing industry. He loved what he did, his horses and treated each horse like a Champion.

BISSELL & LINDA ROBERTS

BISSELL ROBERTS

August 2, 2013

R.I.P Sonny! I sure took care of some nice horses when I worked for you!

Darlene Cox

August 2, 2013

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