Donald Howard: A Legacy in Maryland Steeplechasing

Maryland steeplechasing is immersed in family history, both on the track and behind the scenes. No one can attest to this better than Donald Howard, a lifelong Cockeysville resident who has been involved with thoroughbreds for 70 years.

Donald Howard, 81, began working with horses at age 11, following in the footsteps of his father, Landy Howard, and his uncle, Herb Madden. 

“Horse people were in my blood,” Howard said.

Cuppy Fenwick, a resident of the Worthington Valley and my grandfather by marriage, remembers Landy Howard and Herb Madden coming to work on his family’s farm in 1936. 

“Both [Landy Howard and Herb Madden] were wonderful, wonderful people, of whom I know of no equal today,” Fenwick said.

Donald Howard began his own career on H. R. “Bobby” Fenwick’s farm in Butler. There he clipped, groomed and bandaged horses, and he pulled manes, and later, drove the horse van. 

Despite a long career at the Baltimore County Department of Public Works, Donald Howard has been a groomer for almost his whole life.

In his youth, he groomed many ponies in the local race circuit, and worked with legendary Maryland steeplechase jockeys such as Tommy Smith, Mikey and Paddy Smithwick, Jay Griswold, Tom Voss and Joe Davies—all of whom went on to ride in the Maryland Hunt Cup.

In fact, Donald Howard has worked closely with 10 Maryland Hunt Cup winners, including Fluctuate (1959, 1960), Jay Trump (1963, 1964, 1966) and Early Earner (1972). Howard said he hopes to be remembered for the success he’s had working with these champions.

Fluctuate, his first champion horse, is particularly important to Donald Howard. Owned by his then boss, H.R. “Bobby” Fenwick, Fluctuate won the Maryland Hunt Cup twice and the Grand National once.

Donald Howard recalled watching his first winner from the hill above the Hunt Cup course, a spot he has deemed the best view of the race. He advises spectators to position themselves there for the start of the race, and then run to the paddock for the finish.

However, it’s Early Earner’s victory at the Hunt Cup that Donald Howard believes encapsulates the thrill, challenge and unpredictability of Maryland steeplechase racing. 

Early Earner was trained by H.R. “Bobby” Fenwick and ridden by Duck Martin, who now owns much of the property over which the Hunt Cup is run. In their first attempt running Early Earner at the Grand National, typically a prep race for the Hunt Cup, the horse fell at the first fence. 

A year later, they tried again with him, only to make it to the second fence before falling. But the following year, as a Hunt Cup entry, Early Earner rode to the finish as the winner. 

Donald Howard’s life is rife with stories outside of horse racing, including his service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, a 24-year career with the Baltimore County Department of Public Works, and his seven children.

A farmer at heart, he tends to his own brood of livestock and cultivates his seasonal tomato garden. His blue pickup truck can be seen trolling Worthington Valley looking for the best fishing hole on summer days.

However, he said caring for horses has always been a passion, and at 81 years old, Donald Howard is reluctant to give up his involvement in racing. He can still be found cleaning tack for the third generation of Fenwick riders and caring for the ponies of the next.