The History of Thoroughbreds and Racing in Maryland: A ...



Recognizing the Contribution of

Thoroughbreds and Horse Racing to Maryland History

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Remarks by State Archivist Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse

In support of Senate Bill 43

2/13/2003

By definition, a Thoroughbred is a breed of horse whose ancestry can be traced back to one of three foundation stallions — the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerly Turk. These stallions were imported from the Mediterranean Middle East to England in the early 17th century by their respective owners Thomas Darley, Lord Godolphin, and Captain Robert Byerly. The breed’s unparalleled speed and endurance resulted in a renewed enthusiasm for horse racing, so much so, that it became the favored pastime of England’s King Charles II earning the nickname: "The Sport of Kings." 1

The American colonists also enjoyed Thoroughbred breeding and racing and imported many famous horses from England. Maryland is credited with the formal introduction of organized Thoroughbred racing into the colonies. In 1743, the Maryland Jockey Club was founded to regulate the sport.2 Maryland’s Governor Samuel Ogle, owner of Britannia, Queen Mab, and Spark, was an early patron and participated in the first races of “the English style” between blooded horses held in Annapolis.3

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In May 2001, Annapolis Mayor, then Councilwoman, Ellen Moyer organized a well-designed and informative exhibit on Thoroughbred horse racing in Annapolis which focused on the importance of the sport and the Thoroughbred horse to Maryland History. A page from the text of her exhibit is attached.

The Ogle family’s Belair Stable in Prince George’s County is recognized as “the Cradle of American Racing” and continued to play an important role in Thoroughbred history. As the home of the famous "Belair Stud," it was known as one of the premier racing stables in the 1930's through the 1950's. Belair was home to Gallant Fox and Omaha, the only father and son horses to win the famed Triple Crown. Belair was also home to Nashua, the 1955 "Horse of the Year."4

Maryland also has the distinction of hosting the second jewel in racing’s premier event, the Triple Crown. In 1870, Governor Oden Bowie became the president of the Maryland Jockey Club. Bowie was a noted owner and breeder of famous racers including Crickmore, Catesby, Compensation, Oriole, Bessie, My Maryland, and Belle. Governor Bowie facilitated the acquisition of Pimlico Race Track by the Club and ushered in a new standard of racing in Maryland that brought national recognition to the state.5 Two years before the Kentucky Derby was staged, Pimlico introduced a new three-year-old stakes race, the Preakness, on May 23, 1873. Originally called the Dinner Party Stakes, Bowie renamed the mile and a half race in honor of Preakness, the winner on Pimlico's opening day in 1870.6 Governor Bowie personally offered a $15,000 purse to the winner further placing Maryland on racing’s map.7

Racing continues to play a pivotal role in Maryland’s communities, culture, and economy. The Maryland Jockey club remains in operation today and is the oldest sporting association in the United States. A legislative report from 1997 report indicates that approximately $500,000 is wagered each year at both Pimlico and Laurel race courses. An additional $200,000 plus is wagered out of state on races held at Pimlico and Laurel. As of 1997, revenue from racing taxes is credited to a special fund, along with license and permit fees, etc. This fund has been used for grants to such entities as the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, as well as Impact Aid to Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties.8 From colonial times to the present day, Thoroughbreds and racing have formed a colorful and important aspect of our State’s history, documented in the collections of the Maryland State Archives and in such excellent specialized collections as The Selima Room of the Bowie Branch of the Prince George’s County Public Library.

So much of the early history of America and Maryland is linked to the horse that plowed the fields, carried the armies, hauled the produce to market, and provided transportation generally, that even when railroads took over much of their burden, the engine was called the ‘iron horse.’ In our pantheon of State Symbols it is appropriate that we recognize the horse’s contribution to the history of our state, paying tribute in particular to the noble lines of thoroughbreds that began here over two and half centuries ago.

I hope you will support the children of St. Piux X Regional School in their efforts to have the Thoroughbred recognized as Maryland’s State Horse.

Sources:

1 The Jockey Club. ()

2The Maryland Jockey Club, 2002 Media Guide.

3Culver, Francis Barnum. Blooded Horses of Colonial Days: Classic Horse Matches in America before the Revolution. (Francis Barnum Culver, Baltimore, MD, 1922).

4Swisher, Joe A. Complete Guide to Maryland Historic Markers. (Image Publishing, LTD, Baltimore, MD, 1996).

5 “The Preakness story began in 1873,” The Baltimore Sun. 1999 April 29. ()

6 Frank F. White, Jr., The Governors of Maryland 1777-1970 (Annapolis: The Hall of Records Commission, 1970), 173-177.

7The Maryland Jockey Club, 2002 Media Guide.

8 GENERAL ASSEMBLY, DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES, OFFICE OF POLICY ANALYSIS

(Maryland Horse Racing)

Horse Racing in Maryland: A Status Report.

1997/08/26

Accession Number: MdHR 20011091, Location: 2/3/14/94, L6122

GENERAL ASSEMBLY, DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES, OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(Maryland Horse Racing)

Historical Overview.

1997/08

Accession Number: MdHR 20011122, Location: 2/3/14/94, L6104

The following illustration is taken from “It All Began Here” exhibit, St. John’s College, May 16-27, 2001:

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