Bowie in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Belair Stud Farm

Cradle of American Racing

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013

1. The Belair Stud Farm Marker

Inscription. Colonial Manor where breeding for the turf was carried on for three centuries. Laying the foundation of American thoroughbred racing. Samuel Ogle original owner, imported the stallion "Spark", the filly "Queen Mab" and other prize horses. His brother-in-law, Benjamin Tasker Jr., continuing family tradition, bred "Othello" and "Selima", prides of the colonies. Belair Stud Farm blood flows in the veins of almost every American racehorse of distinction. William Woodward, Sr., last private owner, fielded Triple Crown winners "Gallant Fox", 1930, and "Omaha", 1935. Operation of the farm continued until 1955.

Erected by Maryland Historical Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 38° 57.967′ N, 76° 44.6′ W. Marker is in Bowie, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Belair Drive, on the right when traveling north.

The Maryland Historical Trust gives this location for the marker: MD 450 (Annapolis Road) eastbound at Belair Drive (N 38° 58' 39" W 76° 44' 29").

Today the marker is in the Belair Stables Museum at 2835 Belair Drive in Bowie, Maryland, 20715. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bowie MD 20715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. The Stable Courtyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Belair Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Belair Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Developing a Garden Plan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Archaeological Research of the Belair Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belair (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belair on the Home Front (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowie.

Also see . . .
1. Belair Stable Museum. City of Bowie. (Submitted on April 23, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

2. Belair Stud Farm Marker. Maryland Historical Trust Historical Markers. (Submitted on April 23, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

3. Belair Stables. Maryland Inventory of Historic Places National Register Form. (Submitted on April 23, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 20, 2013

2. The Belair Stud Farm Marker

The Original Location of the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 21, 2013

3. The Original Location of the Marker

The Marker was at corner of Annapolis Road and Belair Drive.

The Belair Stud Farm Marker, 1974 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By M. Dwyer

4. The Belair Stud Farm Marker, 1974

This photo by Mike Dwyer is included in the National Register Form for the Belair Stables.

The Belair Stable Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 21, 2013

5. The Belair Stable Museum

Belair Stable<br>Home of Champions image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 21, 2013

6. Belair Stable
Home of Champions

Belair Stable Silks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 21, 2013

7. Belair Stable Silks

These white silks with red circles were worn by jockeys riding thoroughbreds owned by the Woodward family. Originally these colors represented the stable of the Marquis Zetland in England and were passed on with his permission to William Woodward. Riders of all the Belair horses such as Gallant Fox, Omaha, and Nashua would were these silks when racing.

Billy and Ann Woodward<br>The last owners of the Belair Stud Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 21, 2013

8. Billy and Ann Woodward
The last owners of the Belair Stud Farm

The gossip was that Anne Woodward had been William Woodward Sr.'s mistress before she married his son William Jr. Anne mistook her husband for a prowler and shot him dead on Oct. 30, 1955. Anne committed suicide in 1975 on the eve of the serialization of Truman Capote's never finished novel Answered Prayers in which a thinly disguised red haired character murders her husband when he finds out that she is a bigamist.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 21, 2013

9. Gallant Fox

Sign in the Stall in which Gallant Fox was raised.

But seriously speaking The Fox of Belair
Is the greatest and dearest of Thoroughbreds rare
He's a Champion for sure the Head of the Clan
As kindly and great as great hearted man.

Photo of The Belair Stud Farm Marker taken in 1972. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, 1972

10. Photo of The Belair Stud Farm Marker taken in 1972.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,596 times since then and 94 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week May 5, 2013. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on April 23, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 10. submitted on December 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.