May was Kentucky Derby month and this would be a great time to give some background history of how Caroline County has played a major role in producing some of the most famous horses that have won at the Derby. The Meadow in Caroline County, home of Hill Prince, the horse of the year in 1950, and Bullfield Stable in Hanover County historically dominated America thoroughbred horse racing.

Going back in time in the 17th century, Major Hoomes had the first race track built in his front yard in Caroline County in 1675. His son, Col. John Waller Hoomes, expanded his father's interest in racing on his land which is now in Bowling Green and made it the racing capital of the colonies. The first races held were between local horses of breeders in the neighborhood. The races attracted a lot of attention from all around. To make improvements on the stock of horses, two horses named Fearnaught and Sterling were purchased from England by Major Hoomes and Col. John Baylor. These two horses set the pattern of modern day races.  Racing started to decline in Bowling Green in the later part of the 19th century and racing started growing at Bullfield, located in Hanover County two miles from the Meadow Farm in Caroline County. 

A horse, named Planet was the most famous Bullfield horse before the Civil War.  His stakes were over $70,000 and that was a considerable amount of money in the 1850's.  Horse racing survived the war at Bullfield and racing gained even more popularity.  Many of the Bullfield horses were entered in races such as the Bowie stakes in 1877 and the Preakness in 1884.

Caroline County, at Meadow Farm, is the home of Secretariat one of the most famous 20th century Triple Crown winners. Riva Ridge, another champion horse was also bred and born at Meadow Farm. Today the stables and the pastures still remain as a reminder of most glorious days in the history of horse racing.    

Carol McGowan