Maryland Jockey Club facts for kids
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| Non-profit organisation | |
| Industry | Horse Racing |
| Founded | 1743 |
| Headquarters | Maryland |
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Key people
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George Washington William Paca Charles Carroll of Carrollton |
| Products | Betting, lottery, sports |
The Maryland Jockey Club is a very old sports group that focuses on horse racing. It was started in Annapolis, Maryland, way back in 1743. This makes it the oldest sports organization in America! Today, the Maryland Jockey Club runs the Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. They also manage the Bowie Race Track in Bowie, Maryland, which is now used as a training center for racehorses.
Contents
History of the Maryland Jockey Club
The Maryland Jockey Club began in 1743. In that same year, the Annapolis Subscription Plate was awarded. This trophy is the second oldest in America. It was won by a horse named Dungannon, owned by George Hume Steuart. This was Maryland's first recorded formal horse race.
Horse races were held regularly in the spring and autumn. This happened for eleven years, from 1755 to 1766. The exact dates and number of races changed sometimes. This was partly because of the French and Indian War.
George Washington, who later became president, often went to the Maryland Jockey Club races. He attended many events in 1762. He also visited the races in 1766, 1767, 1771, 1772, and 1773.
Racing During the Revolutionary War
From 1769 to 1775, races were held regularly in Annapolis. Both spring and autumn seasons had races with set times. However, in the autumn of 1775, the Maryland Jockey Club stopped all racing. This was because the American Revolutionary War had started. Congress suggested that everyone should return home due to the war.
In 1782, some races in Annapolis started again in the autumn. The country was becoming peaceful after the war. The Maryland Jockey Club officially restarted on March 1, 1783. This was six months before the peace treaty ending the war was signed. Two members of the Jockey Club, Governor William Paca and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, signed the treaty. Both also signed the Declaration of Independence.
On March 1, 1783, the Jockey Club held a meeting. They decided on new rules for the club. They agreed that a special prize, worth "sixty guineas," would be given. This race would happen on the first Tuesday of November in Annapolis. Members would pay "three guineas" each year to join.
The 19th Century and New Tracks
In 1830, the U.S. Congress gave the Maryland Jockey Club a new official document. This document is now kept in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.. General T. M. Forman was chosen as the club's president. As Annapolis became less important, Baltimore grew as a major city. So, the Maryland Jockey Club moved its races to "Central Course, Baltimore." This track was about five miles southwest of the city.
In 1831, President Andrew Jackson became a member of the Maryland Jockey Club. He even raced horses from his own White House Stable. He used the name A. J. Donelson for his racing stable. This was actually the name of his private secretary.
In 1867, the state of Maryland officially approved the land for the Pimlico Race Course. This is where the track is today. In 1868, Maryland Governor Oden Bowie and others visited a race meet in New York. There, they planned a new race for Baltimore called the Dinner Party Stakes. This race is now known as the Dixie Stakes.
In September 1869, the first Maryland State Fair was held at Pimlico Race Course.
The current site of the Maryland Jockey Club at Pimlico opened on October 25, 1870. A new company for Pimlico was formed on May 14 of that year. Governor Oden Bowie was chosen as its first President. The first big race at the new track was the Dinner Party Stakes. It was won by a horse named Preakness on October 27, 1870. Other races that year included the "Breakfast Stakes" and the "Bowie Stakes."
In 1873, Pimlico held the very first Preakness Stakes. This is a famous race for three-year-old horses. Seven horses competed in the first Preakness. Survivor won this first race. The race was named after the horse Preakness, who won the first Dinner Party Stakes.
In 1876, the Maryland Jockey Club held nine major races. This was a record at the time. The most important race was the fourth Preakness Stakes, which was won by a horse named Shirley.
In 1877, the United States Congress even stopped its work on October 24. Members of both the House and Senate wanted to watch a special race. Three famous horses, Parole, Ten Broeck, and Tom Ochiltree, competed. They finished in that order in what became known as "the Big Race."
The 21st Century and Beyond
In 2011, a company called the Stronach Group took full control of the Maryland Jockey Club. They now manage all its assets and operations.
Notable Members of the Club
- George Washington
- William Paca
- Charles Carroll of Carrollton
- George Hume Steuart
- William Steuart
- Andrew Jackson
See also
