[2] Macbeth was foaled at Lisland, the breeding farm of Rufus Lisle which was located two miles northwest of Lexington, Kentucky in an area called Leestown Pike.
Gelded at a young age, he was sired by Macduff, the 1881 Champagne Stakes winner and a son of the imported British stallion Macaroon.
[5] Macduff also sired the colt McChesney, one of the top 3-year-olds in 1902, but was euthanized in 1899 after he lost popularity as a stud and no buyers could be found nor anyone willing to take him for free.
However, his success was limited at the Nashville meeting that followed, leading to Macbeth going off at somewhat higher odds in the Kentucky Derby.
[7][11] A 1910 Daily Racing Form article states that Macbeth was purchased as a saddle horse by a gentleman that lived in Chicago and was often seen in Lincoln Park with his new owner.
[12] 1879 1871 1874 1876 1862 1856 * MacBeth is inbred 4D × 4D to the stallion Glencoe, meaning that he appears fourth generation twice on the dam side of his pedigree.