Vine Hill/Donau historical marker

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DONAU (USA)

1907–1913

KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER IN 1910

William Gerst, Kentucky Derby winner, Donau

‘BRILLIANT VICTORY FOR GERST’S C**T IN KENTUCKY DERBY’: From the May 11, 1910, Nashville Banner: “Louisville, Ky. — Leading all the way around the entire route of one mile and a quarter, but compelled to fight for his vantage over every inch of ground, Donau, a bay c**t owned by William Gerst of Nashville, yesterday won the thirty-sixth Kentucky Derby. But three-quarters of a length separated the winner from Joe Morris, which horse in turn was a neck in front of Fighting Bob. The time, 2:06 2-5 was but 3-20th of a second slower than the record for the race. Donau carried the public money and 25,000 people acclaimed the winner. The pari-mutuel machines paid $13.25 on a $5 ticket on Donau, making his price about 8 to 5.…” (Tennessee State Library and Archives)

This painting of Donau by WA. Prichard used to hang in the Gerst House restaurant. The horse was owned by William Gerst, who established William Gerst Brewing Company in Nashville in 1893.

For the full article and more stories from the city’s past — including “Mortgages As Low As 12.75%” (1980) and “Drunkometer Goes In Operation” (1958) — get your copy of the May 2013 issue of The Nashville Retrospect: https://nashvilleretrospect.com/store/ols/products/may-2013

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DONAU, winner of the 1910 Kentucky Derby in his 42nd career start. He had such a fiery tempter that he was gelded after winning the Derby. In three years of racing, he made 111 starts and was first, second or third in 78 of them. His German owner named him after the Danube River.

A Kentucky Derby winner adorns an Evansville restaurant. His story is tragic | Webb -