ABCs of Ross County: Imp

CHILLICOTHE— From Adena Mansion to Zane's Trace Ross County is filled with a rich history. When looking at the ABCs of Ross County the I stands for Imp the racehorse.

Imp was a champion racehorse from Ross County who was born in 1894 on Highbank Farm. She was owned by Dan Harness and was given the nickname of Queen of the Turf. In 1898 Imp competed in 35 races won 21 of them and placed in the top three in nine. In that year when she returned to Ross County she was given a floral wreath to wear and a parade, feast and party celebrated her return.

In 1899 Imp became the first mare to win the Suburban Stakes at the Sheepshead Bay Racetrack in New York winning $6,800. In total, she raced for six years running in 171 races and coming in first place in 62, second place in 35 and third place in 29. She would die in 1909 and was posthumously inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame in 1965.

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: ABCs of Ross County: Imp