Laurel Park an International Trailblazer

Thanks partly to Storm Jonas, which sent ice floes sailing down New Jersey streets, there was little action on the racing front last week. Consequently, the most interesting news of the week arguably came in last Friday's TDN, when Bill Finley explained that the Stronach Group has asked that the re-vamped Laurel Park circuit be considered as a future site for the Breeders' Cup, possibly as early as 2018.

Such a move could hardly be more appropriate. As the Breeders' Cup epitomises the concept of horse racing as a global sport, staging it at Laurel would see the wheel turn full circle: it was at the Maryland track in 1952 that the first steps were taken to encourage international competition.

I wasn't old enough to be following the sport at that time, but I do possess a collection of old Bloodstock Breeders' Reviews which help tell the story.

In the 1952 notes by Frank Jennings, managing editor of the Thoroughbred Record, he wrote:

“It has been said in the American press–and for good reason–that a whole new era in racing began when John D. Schapiro successfully conducted a race of true international scope, the Washington D.C. International, in the fall at his Laurel Park in Maryland. The much-publicized and very popular winner was the English 4-year-old colt, Wilwyn, the property of Robert Boucher. The American gelding, Ruhe, managed to salvage second place and third money went to another invader, Zucchero…

“When Mr. Schapiro first announced that he would stage an 'international race' practically all observers doubted that it would be a success. The difficulties of bringing horses together from different countries and across thousands of miles of ocean were just too many to overcome, they said. Even if 'quality' racing stock from abroad accepted the invitation they could never hold their form long enough after reaching the United States to give good accounts of themselves.

“These were the general beliefs based on various past efforts toward worthwhile international races in America. The Zev and Papyrus match was remembered and the same was true of the unsuccessful invasion of the great French horse, Epinard. Critics of the proposed Washington D.C. International, and there were plenty of them, said that foreign horses could not be expected to turn in their best performances while racing under strange conditions and rules. The Americans would make a farce of the whole project, was the general opinion.

“Apparently, these doubters hadn't reckoned with the ability of Mr. Schapiro, the rather youthful head of Laurel. From the outset, Mr. Schapiro not only saw to it that the best horses in the world were invited, but took every precaution to guarantee that each would have a fair chance. He announced that the race would be run on the grass course at Laurel, so that foreign competitors accustomed to performing on turf would have familiar footing. Foreign owners were urged to bring their own jockeys with them. The race would be worth $50,000 and transportation for those accepting would be 'via plane, f.o.b.' There were a thousand other details that were thought of and attended to.”

“Of course, many of those invited could not accept and the actual field narrowed down to seven–all of top class and quality. Four of this number were foreigners: England's Wilwyn and Zucchero, Niederlander from Germany and Canada's Indian Hemp. The Americans were Ruhe, Pilaster, and Greek Ship.

“A record crowd of 26,014 was on hand to see the great spectacle when it was staged in ideal weather on a bright day in October. The mutuel handle for the day at Laurel amounted to $1,284,786. People were frankly hopeful that the horses from abroad would be able to give good accounts of themselves, but they were still doubtful. Most of the crowd thought that Greek Ship, ridden by the old master, Eddie Arcaro, would walk away with it.

“The start was from a walk up, rather than from the starting gate as is the custom in the U.S., and this was another provision designed to give the invaders as nearly an equal chance as possible…

To precis the report, Wilwyn surged past Greek Ship to win by nearly two lengths.

“Wilwyn's reception from a crowd which obviously hadn't backed him was astounding,” Jennings continued. “The people cheered and waved their hats and the noisy and tremendous ovation lasted for more than six minutes. Even after the presentation of the trophy, a great throng followed him and cheered him as he was led back towards his stable. It was a thrilling and truly sporting sight to see.

“The race was valuable in many respects. For one thing it did more to revive interest in grass racing in America than anything that has happened in the last several years. It proved that good horses can be flown across the ocean and hold their winning form. It opened up new avenues for racing on a world-wide scale. These are only a few of the many valuable aspects of the race.

“It is altogether likely, in fact almost a certainty, that the next few years to come will see a whole series of International races conducted at the various tracks in America. Plans call for making the Washington D.C. International an annual affair, and Pimlico, not far from Laurel, announced before the end of 1952, that a companion feature to be known as The Marylander would be conducted there. Ben Lindheimer, managing director of Arlington and Washington Parks in Chicago, long-time grass-racing enthusiast, announced that he would try to work out plans for an 'International Series' with officials of other tracks so that foreign horses of top class could come to this country and get more action while on their trips. Santa Anita's Charles H. Strub spent considerable time in Europe during the year, observing racing methods abroad, and appears to be thinking along the same general lines as Mr. Lindheimer. Construction of a new grass course will begin at Santa Anita immediately after the close of the 1953 meeting.

“So… the race that 'couldn't succeed' was a success, definitely. If indications can be trusted, it was successful enough to launch a whole new series of Internationals.”

Sure enough, the Washington D.C International was to thrive for roughly 30 years. The second edition–which, coincidentally, was delayed from Nov. 7 to 11 because of a freak snowstorm–enticed two challengers from France, two from England, one from Argentina and two from Ireland. The Irish team included a colt called Chamier–trained by an enterprising young man by the name of M.V. O'Brien–but it was the French colt Worden II who routed the opposition. To give some perspective, Worden collected $50,000, whereas the 1953 Kentucky Derby carried a first prize of $90,050.

Before long there had been winners from Venezuela (El Chama) and Australia (Sailor's Guide), but the winners generally came from either the home team (22 wins) or France (15).

To illustrate how successful the race was in promoting the development of an international series, the French winner of 1983–the 4-year-old filly All Along–earned a million-dollar bonus for having previously won the Rothmans International and the Turf Classic.

Another measure of the Washington D.C. International's success is that many of the winners went on to be named that year's champion grass horse, including T.V. Lark, Mongo, Fort Marcy, Run The Gantlet, Youth, Johnny D., Mac Diarmida, Bowl Game, Sunshine Forever and Paradise Creek, plus the fillies April Run and All Along. The wonderful Kelso, winner in 1964, took Horse of the Year honors.

Although the race continued until 1994, the inception of the Breeders' Cup Turf in 1984 effectively sounded the International's death knell, with the distance having to be reduced to a mile and a quarter in 1986 and even to a mile in 1993.

Wouldn't it be a tremendous tribute to John D. Schapiro's foresight if the Breeders' Cup were one day to return to the track that Schapiro put on the map.