Henry A. Fitzgibbon: From Baseball to Allfitz Farm

Henry A. Fitzgibbon From Baseball to Allfitz Farm

FROM THE FBI TO THE BLUEGRASS

Born in Missouri Valley, Iowa, in 1915, Henry Fitzgibbon graduated from Creighton University in 1940 and began a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He served as an FBI special agent and instructor before moving into senior law enforcement administration. Henry was also an accomplished competitive marksman. His obituary credited him with a fifth-place world ranking in shooting competition at Camp Perry, Ohio.

In 1970, Henry joined the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, working with Commissioner Bowie Kuhn on investigations and baseball security.

THE BEGINNING OF ALLFITZ FARM

During his baseball years, Henry developed a friendship with the Steinbrenner family. His later wife, Jane, shared a story about George Steinbrenner encouraging Henry to stop visiting his horse farm so often and purchase a farm of his own.

Henry eventually acquired a Thoroughbred farm near Paris, Kentucky, naming it Allfitz Farm. After retiring from Major League Baseball in 1981, he devoted himself to his Kentucky Thoroughbred breeding operation.

THE HORSES HE BRED

Henry's breeding record included Mistle Cat, a son of Storm Cat bred in partnership with Overbrook Farm. Mistle Cat became one of Storm Cat's notable international runners, winning the 1996 Prix du Palais-Royal in France and the Group 1 Premio Vittorio di Capua in Italy. He was also recognized as Italy's highweighted older male of 1996.

Henry also bred Doctoressa, winner of the Politely Stakes at Monmouth Park, and Farma's Best, an eight-time winner. Together, these horses illustrate the breeding accomplishments that became part of the Allfitz Farm legacy.

HENRY AND JANE

Henry met Jane later in life at Churchill Downs, and the two eventually married. Henry died on November 30, 2003, leaving behind a career that had taken him from federal law enforcement and Major League Baseball to Thoroughbred breeding in Kentucky.

AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR

Our own connection to the Fitzgibbon family began on the day we moved into Saint Anne's Run. The moving truck was parked in the driveway, and we had not even begun unloading when Jane Fitzgibbon arrived at the front door with her daughter. Jane had insisted that her daughter bring her down to visit the farm.

We had barely arrived, and already a part of the property's history was standing on our doorstep. That unexpected visit became the beginning of a relationship that grew far beyond our shared connection to the property.

Over time, Jane shared memories of Henry, his friendships, and his years at Allfitz Farm. More importantly, she became part of our lives, and before her passing, Jane had become family to us.

THE LEGACY CONTINUES

The property Henry once called Allfitz Farm is now Saint Anne's Run. Our breeding operation represents a new chapter in the property's history, but we believe the people who came before us deserve to be remembered.

Henry's accomplishments are preserved in the horses he bred and the historical record he left behind. Jane gave that history a personal meaning for our family, and through her, the story of Allfitz Farm became part of our own.