At the
Calcutta Party to benefit
The Manor Conservancy
at the Manor Tavern
on April 15, 2011 an
annual award will be
inaugurated to recognize
individuals for their
exceptional efforts
toward the preservation
of land in northern
Baltimore and Harford
Counties . The history
of the trophy is particularly
appropriate to its new
intended use. It is
a reflection of the
heritage we seek to
preserve in the Manor
area.
Maryanna Skowronski,
Director of the Harford
County Historical Society,
has researched its background
and has written the
following:
The Sergeant
Murphy Point to Point
was held from 1925 through
1934 (no race in 1931)
as a part of the Harford
Hunt Races held on the
grounds of Pleasant
Valley Farm, home to
Harvey S. Ladew.
The race was
sponsored by Stephen
"Laddie" Sanford and
was named in honor of
Sanford's 'chaser Sergeant
Murphy, who in 1923
was the first American
owned horse to win the
English Grand National.
British newsreel footage
of the race still exists.
Originally intended
as a hunt horse for
Sanford, The Sergeant,
as he was known proved
not suited for the field.
Stephen Sanford
was the heir to the
Sanford carpet fortune
and hailed from New
York. He was the son
of John Sanford owner
of Sanford Stud Farm
and is best known as
a member of the champion
Hurricanes polo team.
Sanford was married
to the former stage
and film actress Mary
Duncan Sanford. Mary
Sanford can be seen
performing with Katharine
Hepburn in the film
Morning Glory.
During the height
of the Harford Hunt's
Long Island invasion
the Sanfords maintained
a stable at Farmington
(the club). According
to newspaper accounts
of the day, Mrs. Sanford
was considered to be
glamorous and popular.
Not an accomplished
equestrienne in the
beginning, she rapidly
learned to ride and
astonished everyone
by tackling her husband’s
horse Bright's Boy which
became her favorite
mount.
Among the noteworthy
or recognizable names
on the Sergeant Murphy
trophy which was given
back to Harford County
by the Sanford family
are: Redmond Stewart,
Wassie Ball (winning
rider of the last running)
and A.C. Bostwick.
Much more of
the history of the trophy
and of Sergeant Murphy
is coming to light and
will be presented on
the evening of the Calcutta.
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