Born in Nashville, Tennessee to the late Arthur B. Hancock, Jr. and Waddell Walker Hancock, Arthur B. Hancock, III was raised in Paris, Kentucky on his family’s Claiborne Farm. He attended Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Virginia and graduated from Vanderbilt University where he studied history and was captain of the swimming team, setting SEC records.
Fondly known as “Hawk” by his friends and family, Arthur had a fiercely independent spirit. Arthur was a Renaissance man; musician, songwriter, philosopher, poet, and author. He was a horseman, farmer and conservationist. He was known for his wisdom, warmth, and humor. He entertained his loved ones with colorful stories, adages, jokes, songs, and his daily puns — always followed by “A pun a day keeps the blues away!” He would often recite a fitting poem, quote or lyrics from memory. Arthur viewed life through a mystical lens and found a connection to the Divine through nature, omens, and signs from beyond. He carried a deep respect for the land and found peace on his notoriously long walks on the farm with his German Shepherd. He believed “If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you.”
Arthur pursued a career in one of his great passions, music, and in 1967 he was signed with Fred Foster to Monument Records in Nashville. Hancock has written and recorded three folk country and bluegrass albums: A Horse of a Different Color, Time, and Sunday Silence. He also collaborated with his son for the release of Arthur & Arthur. His love of music continued throughout his life. He was an avid songwriter and a lifelong advocate of Bluegrass music. His home was filled with the melodic sounds of his Martin guitar and the tenor of his voice. Arthur released several singles and penned songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Grandpa Jones, and others.
It was not long however that he left Nashville to return to his Kentucky roots and dedicate his life to his other great passion: horses. After his father’s death in 1972 he left the family farm and set out on his own. He built his Stone Farm just six miles down the road where he raised three Kentucky Derby Winners, eight Champions and over 225 stakes winners. His love for horses exceeded far beyond the business. He had a deep respect for them and shared their sensitive, intuitive nature and spirit.
He lived by the mantra, “You can’t go wrongdoing the next right thing.” Arthur was fearless in his opinions and committed to integrity. Through the years he was an advocate for drug free racing, sales integrity, limited stud books, equine after care and land conservation.
He was a member of the Jockey Club, and through the years served on the Kentucky State Racing Commission and the Boards of The Thoroughbred Club of America, Keeneland Association, Fasig Tipton, and The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
In 2020, he was tapped as the Honor Guest of The Thoroughbred Club of America. In 2025 he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as a Pillar of the Turf. In October of 2026, he will be posthumously inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
In 2024 he released his auto-biography Dark Horses, A Memoir of Redemption which tells his life story. He lived a bold life, but it was not one without adversity. Arthur felt that if he could help just one person by telling his story, it was worth telling.
In every twist and turn Hancock has embraced the opportunities life has afforded him, while facing his demons and dealing with adversity. He has taken his own path to build a legacy as a horseman, musician, poet and author.