One of the most distinctive features of the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center is the silks wall! Arranged in 4 x 3 grid and visible to passerby traveling northbound on Reisterstown Road, the silks wall pays tribute to some great names in Maryland racing history. Read on to learn more about the owners on the wall.
A. J. Bullock
A longtime horseman in Maryland and step-grandfather of former MHBA president Richard Blue, whose stable runs in these silks now.
J.W.Y. and Glenn Martin
The Martins own and operate historic Worthington Farm, located just seven miles from the Library, and home of the Maryland Hunt Cup. They’ve campaigned steeplechase and flat runners, and stood the notable stallion Lord Gaylord.
Charles C. Fenwick Jr.
All-time winning jockey of the Maryland Hunt Cup (five victories; 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1987) now races a stable of steeplechase horses in his silks. He won the Maryland Hunt Cup four times as a trainer (1987, 1993, 1995, 1997) and also campaigned Grade 1-winning steeplechaser Pinkie Swear.
Glenangus Farm
A historic Harford County Farm owned by James T. Dresher. The property was purchased by Larry McPhail in 1941, who owned it into the 1960s and ran a powerful breeding operation.
John & Katharine Merryman
Bred and raced the great Maryland-bred Twix, the Maryland-bred Horse of the Year in 1973 and 1974 and a member of the inaugural Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame class of 2013. A backbone of Thoroughbred breeding and racing in Maryland with a history that goes back to the beginnings of the MHBA.
Irvin Naylor
The local businessman is one of most successful owners of jump runners in history. He’s a 6-time leading National Steeplechase owner, including jump champions Black Jack Blues (2011), Dawalan (2015), and Rawnaq (2016), and Maryland Hunt Cup winners Make Me a Champ (2005) and Askim (2008). Other notable runners include Tax Ruling, Decoy Daddy, and Salmo. He’s been an NSA owner since 1964. Second on all-time earnings list and leading active owner by earnings.
Country Life Farm
Maryland’s oldest family-owned farm established in 1933 in Bel Air. Currently stands three stallions: Mosler, Divining Rod, and Friesan Fire. Previously stood leading Maryland stallions Rash Prince, Big Brave, Carnivalay, and Allen’s Prospect. Birthplace of two-time American Horse of the Year Cigar.
Henry Clark
Hall of Fame trainer. Notable horses trained include Tempted, Obeah, Endine, Light Hearted, Cyane, and Linkage. Glengar Farm is in nearby Glyndon and is currently owned by his son Henry S. “Tim” Clark III.
Wasabi Ventures Stables
An innovative ownership group based in Maryland and launched in 2016 that gives fans the opportunity to own a part of a Thoroughbred. Earned first two stakes victories in 2022 with Why Not Tonight in the All Brandy Stakes at Laurel Park and Benevengo in the Polynesian Stakes at Pimlico.
Sondra Bender
One of Maryland’s all-time top breeders and owners with husband Howard Bender. The Benders were Maryland’s leading breeders in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Notable horses campaigned include La Reine’s Terms, Foufa’s Warrior, Promenade Girl, and Secret River.
Hillwood Stable
Ellen Charles’ highly successful stable of runners, including notable runners Bandbox, Phlash Phelps, Cordmaker, and Post Time. She bred the champion of the MHBA Yearling Show in 2022 and the reserve champion in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
The Fields Stable
Steeplechase owners Betty Merck and her son Laddie Merck, originally from New Jersey. NSA leading owner in 2009. Owned steeplechase filly/mare champion Guelph, also a Maryland-bred champion in 2005, along with Grade 1 winners Bob Le Beau, Portrade, and Your Sum Man.