From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Perkins, William "Will"
(born: 1879 - died: 1927) William "Will" Perkins, a thoroughbred race horse owner, a race horse trainer, and former jockey, was the brother of horse trainer Frank Perkins, and jockey James "Soup" Perkins. Will Perkins was not a gifted jockey, but he excelled as a trainer. In 1926, he was trainer of more winning horses (82 races) than any other trainers in the U.S. During his 16 year career as a trainer, he had 655 winners. He was trainer of the horse Billy Kelly that won the Idle Hour Farm Stakes, the Bashford Manor, the Flash, and the U.S. Hotel Stakes. Will Perkins was trainer for W. F. Polson, J. K. Knight, Senator Allie W. Young, George Baker, and many others. Will Perkins was part owner of the horse General Haldeman, the winner of the Queen City Handicap at Latonia in 1926. The Will Perkins Stable was located on Third Street in Lexington, KY, in 1918, and his brother, Edward Perkins was the stable agent. Will Perkins was born in Fayette County, KY, and was survived by his brother Edward and his sister Carrie J. Perkins Bulett who lived in Chicago. Their parents were Jacob and Mattie Perkins and the family of seven is listed in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census [Jacob, Mattie, Frank, Carrie, Elizabeth, William, and a new born (James)]. In 1899, the family members Carrie, James, William, and their mother Mattie lived at 240 N. Upper Street [source: 1898-99 Emerson and Dark's Lexington Directory, pp.675-676]. For more see "Will Perkins, race horse man, dies," Lexington Leader, 04/18/1927, p.6; and "Will Perkins succumbs," Daily Racing Form, 04/19/1927, p.12. For more about the Perkins family members in the horse industry, see the "Trainer" notebook at the Isaac Scott Hathaway Museum in Lexington, KY, and the Perkins Family entry in the NKAA Database.
