Talking History with Larry Murray

by Scott Grove

From 1979 to 2016, Larry Murray served as the farm manager at the storied Glade Valley Farms in Walkersville where, during that time, some of America’s finest racehorses were sired and trained. Murray shares the farm’s history and recalls the more than 35 years he spent overseeing its operation.

Scott: William Brann and Robert Castle, who founded Glade Valley Farms, are said to have been very successful businessmen before establishing the horse farm. What is known about them?

Larry: Brann was an advertising executive in Chicago, and Castle, a client, was an executive with Montgomery Ward. They started the farm in retirement in the early 1930s.

Scott: They are said to have spent over a year visiting and inspecting various rural areas in the Mid-Atlantic region prior to selecting acreage in Walkersville. Why Walkersville?

Larry: They built the farm in Walkersville because it was situated on limestone-rich ground that infused the grass and water with calcium, which produces strong bones in racehorses. The composition of the soil is very similar to what is found in Lexington, Ky., the horse-breeding capital of the United States.

Scott: What was the first horse that was purchased and how important was it in launching the success of the farm?

Larry: As it turned out, very important. Brann and Castle bought a very good 2-year old in England that they intended to race for several years and then have it serve as a stallion. The horse had been owned by Lord Dewar of Scotch whisky fame. Unfortunately, due to an injury, the horse never raced in America. His name was Challenger II, the eventual sire of Challedon.

Scott: Can you share a bit about Challedon?

Larry: Challedon was one of the best racehorses of his generation, and throughout the 20th century. He won big races and big prizes all over the country. Above and beyond local pride, Challedon is credited with bringing air conditioning to the theater that is now the Weinberg Center for the Arts in 1940 when Warner Bros. executive Jack Warner followed a race tip by Frederick surgeon Ed Thomas.

Scott: That’s a great story. Had Glade Valley already taken off at this point?

Larry: Yes, but it would grow much larger. Brann died in 1951. His widow sold the farm to Col. Henry B. Wallace, a Washington, D.C., steamship company owner, who in turn sold it to a partnership that consisted of Jack Bender and Dr. Robert Leonard, a veterinarian who specialized in equine medicine. Bender was the money and Leonard was the driving force and great at raising horses. Together they expanded the farm. Jane Hart, wife of distinguished Democratic Sen. Phillip Hart, also became an owner.

Scott: So, how did you, a 26-year old from Brooklyn come onto the local scene?

Larry: I grew up with racing. I lived close to Belmont Park. My maternal uncle was a trainer there. Every day in season, I would ride my bike over there and see my uncle and be amazed by the racetrack and the thoroughbreds. At 16, I was hired as a hot walker. I bathed the horses following a race and then walked them for about 35 minutes to fully cool down. Other good jobs, always related to the training or the transport of racehorses, followed until January 1979 when I was asked to interview for the farm manager’s job at Glade Valley. My wife, Janice, was from Frederick County and learned from her sister about the job. I interviewed with Dr. Leonard, but I just couldn’t see it working. I had no farm experience. I’d never driven a tractor and the horse farm was about 350 acres at that point. They must have been desperate because they hired me. I decided to give it a go—and it worked out!

Scott: What were the most challenging parts of managing the farm?

Larry: The spring was always a hectic time. You were on call 24/7, either caring for or helping deliver foals. We had six wonderful stallions that were some of the most popular in the state, and we would have 10-12 mares brought to the farm each day and be there for a period of three to six months. In the spring we’d have 30 employees working.

Scott: How many foals were born annually, on average, at the farm?

Larry: From January until June, we delivered about 100 foals. 

Scott: What resulted in the farm’s closing?

Larry: The farm was sold in 2016 after the death of Howard Bender, Jack’s son. I pretty much retired then as well. I feel so fortunate to have done something that I loved. I loved every minute of it. I thought it was a privilege being around such wonderful people and magnificent animals.

Scott: Are portions of the farm still visible?

Larry: Yes, Glade Valley is still visible. It’s still agricultural and can be seen on both sides of Md. 26, west of Mount Pleasant.

Larry Murray, 70, was born in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in Keymar with his wife, Janice. No longer involved in horse training, he enjoys golf and spending time with his four young grandchildren who live nearby. Scott Grove is the owner of Grove Public Relations, LLC, an advertising and marketing firm. A former reporter and lifelong student of history, his work also includes interpretive planning and design for museums and historic sites. Grove is the co-creator of the Frederick Maryland Walking Tour mobile app. For more info, visit itourfrederick.com or grovepr.com.