The spotlight fell on racing stars and the 350-acre Fair Hill Training Center

Maryland Horse Industry Board presented their awards winners, all from Fair Hill, at the Fair Hill races on May 23, 2015. Dr. John R.S. Fisher, Valiant Boy (Lizzie Merryman), Bruce Jackson (Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center) and Main Sequence (Graham Motion). Jim Steele in navy blue jacket.

5 June 2015, Fair Hill, Maryland ~ Each year, more than 12,000 spectators turn out to the 5,600-acre former estate of William DuPont for racing at Fair Hill. The tradition is considered the largest annual single-day event held in Cecil County. The races returned to Marylands’ Fair Hill race course on Saturday, 23 May for their 81st year.

A presentation by the Maryland Horse Industry Board gave Touch of Class Awards in front of the grandstand between the races. The two champion U.S. racehorses training at Fair Hill Training Center – Darley Award Winner Valiant Boy SBFAR, represented by racing manager Sharon Clark and trainer Elizabeth Merryman, and DUAL Eclipse Award winner Main Sequence, represented by trainer Graham Motion were Touch of Class recipients for the 2015 Awards.

Valiant Boy SBFAR wins at Los Alamitos 2014

The award honors Maryland horses, people and organizations who achieve national and international acclaim. The award is named in honor of Touch of Class, a former Maryland-bred Olympic champion horse.

Fair Hill Training Center has become one of the premier U.S. and international racehorse training facilities during its 33-year history and is home base to two current North American champion racehorses.

Photo: L-R by Lydia Williams

R. Olivia Campbell, program dir. DNR; Rachel Temby, Fair Hill park mgr. DNR; David Goshorn, Ass’t Sec’y DNR; Dr. John R.S. Fisher, founder, Fair Hill Training Ctr.; Sharon Clark, Rigbie Farm, Valiant Boy racing mgr.; Jay Griswold, MHIB member; Elizabeth Merryman, trainer Valiant Boy; Del. Kevin Hornberger (Cecil Co.); Sally Goswell, Mgr. Fair Hill Training Ctr.; Bruce Jackson, Pres., Fair Hill Training Ctr.; Jim Steele, MHIB chair; Dr. Kathy Anderson, former Pres., Fair Hill Training Ctr.; Beverly Raymond, MHIB member; Graham Motion, trainer, Main Sequence.

Details: Fair Hill Training Center is a racehorse training center based in Fair Hill, Maryland. It was owned by William du Pont, Jr. of the well-known Du Pont family, who bought the land in 1926. Dupont invested a substantial amount of money to make the property a leading breeding and training farm for his Thoroughbred racehorses. The State of Maryland purchased Fair Hill in 1974, converting the then 5,700 acres (23 km²) property into an equine training complex and a natural resource center. There are 17 privately owned barns, with more than 450 stalls. Each barn has its own set of turn out paddocks and porta pens.