Glen Riddle Farm was a large horse farm in Berlin, Maryland in the United States. Located on what today is Route 50 between Ocean City and Berlin, it was owned by a wealthy textile businessman Samuel D. Riddle who named it for his hometown Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania which in turn had been named for his grandfather.
In addition to the stables and large mansion, Glen Riddle Farm had a one-mile racing oval for training thoroughbred racehorses. The farm was home to Hall of Fame racehorses Man o’ War, U.S. Triple Crown winner War Admiral, Crusader as well as other successful thoroughbreds such as Massachusetts Handicap winner War Relic, and American Flag, a son of Man o’ War who won the 1925 Belmont Stakes and was voted Champion 3-year-old Male Horse.
As part of a program honoring important horse racing tracks and racing stables, the Pennsylvania Railroad named its baggage car #5849 the “Glen Riddle Farm”.
Samuel D. Riddle raced horses until his death in 1951 after which his heirs took over the property. A fire in 1969 destroyed the mansion and the farm was soon abandoned, left in disrepair for more than thirty years until real estate developers acquired it and built a residential housing complex in 2004.
Source: Wikipedia
GlenRiddle Golf Club
The owners and developers of GlenRiddle Golf Club and Ruth’s Chris Steak House built a nationally recognized golf property. The clubhouse building that houses the golf and restaurant operation was formerly the main stable building of the famous Riddle Farm which produced such famous racehorses as Man O’ War, War Admiral, and Sea Biscuit. The horses bred and raised at the Riddle Farm are credited with changing the history of American horse racing. What was previously a sport enjoyed and admired only by the rich and privileged became one that was supported and embraced by the masses.
Famous Racehorses
Man O’ War was born March 29, 1917, and totally dominated horse racing as no horse before or after has done. Previous track records were shattered at almost every race Man O’ War entered including a walloping 100 length victory at the Lawrence Realization in 1920. Man O’ War was voted as Horse of the Twentieth Century by the Associated Press in 2000.
Racing History
The biggest horse racing event in history was the famous match race between Man O’ War’s son and grandson, War Admiral and Seabiscuit, held at Pimlico Racetrack in Maryland in 1938.
Golf Clubhouse Museum
The history of the farm, the building, and the great thoroughbred racehorses are displayed prominently throughout the gold clubhouse building. A museum hall was created to tell the story of the horses that produced the great heritage of the Riddle Farm. You will see pictures of Man O’ War, affectionately known as “Big Red”, at various stages of his life, as well as several walls devoted to programs, articles, and pictures from the Seabiscuit, War Admiral match race of 1938. On the outside walls of the museum hall, the golf course owners have displayed photography taken a year before reconstruction to demonstrate the transformation that has taken place from the old horse stable to a renovation that honors the history of Riddle Farm.
The Renovation Process
As much of the original stable structure as possible was saved. The loft above Ruth’s Chris main dining room was structurally sound enough to save almost the entire beam and timber framework. From this vantage point, you can get a real feel for the original building.
All the stall doors and hardware were saved and preserved. Some have been used in the stable wall depicting the look of the original stable and others are used as tabletops in the bar and grill areas. The interior furnishings and finishes have been professionally and custom-designed to match the period of the farm’s greatness. The lighting throughout the building are replicas of gaslighting that would have been in use at the time.
Original Art
Local artist, Patrick Henry, was commissioned to produce five new original oil paintings depicting the famous racehorses and scenes from the farm. These paintings are displayed proudly throughout the clubhouse and restaurant. Patrick has always had a passion for the farm, and he agreed to reproduce three of his existing Riddle Farm works as murals which are on display inside the Ruth’s Chris bar area. These pieces depict scenes from the farm as they would have appeared at the time of Man O’ War.
Man O’ War Memorial
Outside, the Man O’ War Memorial, which is the horseshoe-shaped arch in the grassy area at the center of the building is a historical replication of the original Man O’ War Memorial that can be seen in several of the photographs on the inside of the building. This memorial was built in 1952 and was revered by farm personnel and locals for the remainder of the farm’s life.
Street Names
As stated above, Man O’ War dominated horse racing as no horse before or after has done. He also dominated the naming of streets in the GlenRiddle community. Man O’ War Ln is the East entrance to the community. Throughout the community, including Man O’ War Ln, there are 16 streets named after racehorses. Of the 16 streets, 13 are named after Man O’ War or his descendants. These descendants include Maid at Arms, War Dancer, Quarter Deck, Flotilla, Fast Colors, Thirty Knots, Battle Colors, Admirals Lassie, Siren, Sweet as Sugar, Seaplane, and Canons Roar (the racehorse was spelled Cannons Roar). The only racehorses not sired by Man O’ War include Ruffian, Saratoga, and Pimlico (the racehorse, not the racetrack). All street names are lanes.
Man O’ War had a rich history. If you want to learn more about Man O’ War, check out this Wikipedia article
Source: Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database
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