Belair Stud

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Belair Stud was an American thoroughbred horse racing stable and breeding farm founded by Provincial Governors Samuel Ogle and Benjamin Tasker in 1737 in Collington, Prince Georges County, Maryland in Colonial America near what is now the city of Bowie.

Ogle built himself a large mansion down the road from where they built the horse stable. In 1752, Benjamin Tasker, Jr. brought his mare "Selima" to the farm for breeding purposes. "Selima," born in England in 1745 and sired by Godolphin Arabian from the mare "Shireborn," became the important bloodline for horses through the next century such as "Hanover" and "Lexington." The property remained in the Ogle family until 1871 after which the place fell into a state of decline.

In 1898 the property was sold to the wealthy New York City banker James T. Woodward (1837-1910) who began a restoration and expansion of the mansion and built large new stables in 1907. On his passing his will bequeathed the property to his nephew, William Woodward, Sr. (1876-1953) who built Belair Stud and Stable into the pre-eminent United States racing and breeding operation during the 1930's, 40's and 50's.

Under William Woodward, Sr. the farm produced some of the greatest thoroughbred racehorses in the United States. He was part of a syndicate of breeders who purchased Sir Gallahad III in France and brought him to America. Some of Woodward's most famous horses were Gallant Fox and Omaha, the only father and son horses to ever win the U.S. Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.

William Woodward, Sr. died in 1953 and the property went to his son, William Jr.. However, following his untimely death just two years later in late 1955, the horses were sold at auction and in 1957 the farm was closed. The land was parceled off for real estate development but eventually the mansion and stables were restored and today the City of Bowie operates the stable as a museum.

From 1923 to 1953, Belair Stud horses won 631 races, were second 568 times, and third 540 times. Included in their victories were numerous important stakes races and five of their horses were voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Under trainer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, the stable won the following prestigious U.S. Triple Crown races:



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