A brief history of the Maryland-bred champions

For more than half of the first part of the 20th century, the best runners to come out of Maryland were glorified, eagerly followed and granted a lot of press. But they were never officially honored. That changed with the runners of 1962 when the editorial staff of The Maryland Horse selected the “best” of the year and published a “poll” in the January 1963 issue. Led by writer and magazine researcher Joe Hickey, with assistance of editor Snowden Carter and the magazine’s business manager Louise Pascal, six divisional winners (2-year-old male and female, 3-year-old male and female, older male and steeplechaser) and Horse of the Year honors were bestowed.

First Blofeld foal arrives at Murmur Farm

The first foal for Murmur Farm stallion Blofeld was born on March 1 at the farm in Darlington, Md., when David Baxter’s mare Stormin Casey delivered a chestnut filly. The other nine foals out of the In Case mare are all winners.

Holy Boss has first U.S. foals on the ground

The first U.S. foal for Grade 2 stakes-winning sprinter Holy Boss was born Jan. 28 at Anchor & Hope Farm in Port Deposit, Md. The bay filly out of the Kipling mare Kip Berries was bred by Lady Olivia At North Cliff.