Gallant Fox and Omaha were father and son. Both captured Thoroughbred racing’s famous Triple Crown Series. Welcome to the Belair Stable Museum. It stands as a testament to Belair’s distinguished association with thoroughbred horse racing. This is a place where champions were made.
The Belair Stable Museum is in Bowie, Maryland. The City of Bowie operates it. Once, it housed the Belair Stud Farm until 1957. That year, the Woodward family sold the Belair Estate to Levitt & Sons. They planned the construction of Belair at Bowie.
James T. Woodward, then owner of the Belair Mansion, had this U-shaped sandstone equine stable built in 1907. The elaborate stable building reflects Belair’s dedication to thoroughbred horse racing and breeding.
The Belair Stable Museum sits on 2 acres. It is located about 1000 feet northeast of the Belair Mansion. Once part of a large estate, the stable building is now surrounded by residential development. The building is U-shaped. It features a 1+1⁄2-story main block and single-story flanking wings. This forms an open exercise yard in the center.
Governor Samuel Ogle and his brother-in-law, Colonel Benjamin Tasker, played a vital role here. In the late 1740s, they imported Thoroughbred horses. Among them was the incredible Selima. Their goal was to strengthen local racing stock. They succeeded. Selima’s legacy lives on in the bloodlines of today’s famous racehorses.
The Belair Stud Stable was one of the country’s premier stables. This was from the 1920s through the 1950s. Besides Gallant Fox and Omaha, Nashua called Belair home. In 1955, Nashua was named Horse of the Year. Johnstown, Fighting Fox, and Vagrancy were also Belair champions.
Today’s Belair Stable Museum highlights Belair’s bloodstock accomplishments. It spans over a 200-year racing legacy. The museum also features Belair’s other agricultural uses. You can see the restored 1923 Stablemaster’s living quarters.
The Belair Stable Museum houses memorabilia. It relates to Thoroughbred racing and Belair stock. You will also find items about life at Belair Farm. This includes both equines and humans. Information about the Bowie Race Track is available. James Brady was Belair’s first stable master. His apartment offers a glimpse into farm life.
Admission is free. Donations are welcomed. Self-guided tours are available Friday through Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Private guided tours can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more. The fee is $5 per person.