Come springtime, Chester County runs on horsepower, hosting a roster of equestrian events showcasing the crème de la crème of hunters, jumpers and steeplechase runners. Here’s a closer look at a family that contributes so much to it all.

Betty Moran & Brushwood Stables

  Among our local bounty of riders, trainers, and breeding farms, Chester County is twice blessed with the clan Moran; matriarch Mrs. Betty Moran, owner of the famed Brushwood Stables in Malvern, and her son, Michael, founder of Applestone Farm in Unionville.

  An outstanding athlete and former Pennsylvania State Champion squash player, Mrs. Moran’s introduction to horses during a vacation in Wyoming would become a lifelong passion, leading to foxhunting across the rolling Radnor countryside, and over the years, as mother of six, a familiar competitor in the Devon Horse Show parent and child class. 

  But it was horseracing that captured her heart and led to the purchase of her first four-footed competitor in 1970.

  “I’ve always loved the sport,” admits Mrs. Moran, who walks the walk and talks the talk as hands-on owner of Brushwood, recognized worldwide as “the jewel of breeding farms,” for successfully producing national and international champions competing on the racetrack and over fences. 
  Early victories for Brushwood include a stunning 1977 win with Tip’s Eve in the Tom Roby Steeplechase (offering one of the richest purses in American steeplechasing), and back-to-back wins in the 1984 and ‘85 American Grand National (a significant race first run in the 1800s).

  Perhaps Brushwood’s best remembered racetrack triumph was the stunning performance of Crème Fraiche in the 1985 Belmont Stakes, finishing with the second fastest time in history, and the only gelding to win that race. A brilliant runner, Crème Fraiche went on to win back-to-back victories in 1986 and ‘87 for the American Jockey Club Gold Cup, the main event at Belmont Park, retiring with career earnings topping $4 million.

  Mrs. Moran is also co-breeder, with her son, Michael, of the speedy thoroughbred, Hard Spun, who “danced all the dances” in the Triple Crown, finishing second in the Derby, third in the Preakness and fourth in the Belmont.

  Major steeplechase victories for Brushwood runners include double wins for Tom Miller in both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Hunt Cups (four-mile and three-and-a-quarter mile races over 22 timber jumps); Tostadero’s triumphant bid in the 1989 National Hunt Steeplechase at Radnor, and Turkmaster’s victory in the 1996 Thomas Stokes Memorial Challenge Cup.

  A consummate owner who keeps the safety of her horses paramount, just hours before a 2000 race, Mrs. Moran walked the entire steeplechase course at Aintree, England, considered one of the most difficult in the world before watching her nine-year-old Irish-bred Papillion, thunder first across the finish in that flagship race.

Definition of Philanthropist

  Mrs. Moran’s reputation as owner of a top breeding farm is matched by her active and generous involvement with local charities working to save humans, horses and open space. Her efforts include longtime board membership with Paoli Hospital, Home of the Sparrow in West Chester, the Brandywine River Museum, Radnor Hunt Races and Devon Horse Show, among others.

  In 2002, Mrs. Moran was presented with the first Silver Bellwether Medal, for excellence by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. That same year, she received the coveted Allaire du Pont Humanitarian Award by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), an organization to which she remains dedicated.

  “If ever a definition of a philanthropist is needed, just describe Betty Moran,” says TCA President and Founder, Herb Moelis. “Here is a woman who is truly a philanthropist in heart and action. All one needs to do is ask and Betty steps forward.”

  “I like to keep busy,” Betty explains modestly of her extraordinary generosity of time and funds.

Good for Open Space

  Adding 105 acres to the 240-acre Malvern farm where she grew up, Betty feels strongly about protecting as much open space as can be salvaged from increasing development that threatens the rural landscape of Chester County.

  “It’s wonderful to look out and watch those babies in the field,” said Moran, who this year counts a total of 70 horses, including broodmares and youngsters.

  “Mrs. Moran is devoted to the race horse industry,” praises Nancy Dougherty, long-time National Steeplechase and Hunt Association Secretary. “She’s good for the sport and good for the land.”

Michael Moran & Applestone Farm

  Fortunately for horseracing and for open space, the adage “like mother like son” describes Michael Moran, oldest of the six Moran siblings. A savvy horseman, he is perhaps best recognized as owner of the mighty McDynamo, currently the leading steeplechase earner in America with $1,300,000 in purse money.

  But, if not for Michael and trainer/jockey Sanna Hendricks, McDynamo’s retirement might have come early.

  By the same sire as the sensational Kentucky Derby champion Barbaro (euthanized following a tragic accident in the 2007 Preakness), McDynamo’s start was less than stellar when he was ruled off the racetrack for being a bad actor. “He had issues with the starting gate,” Michael explained. “He didn’t like to be confined; even in his own stall he’d spin like a whirlybird.”

Horse of a Lifetime

  Lining up for take-off at the drop of a flag, however, as steeplechase horses do, suited the big horse just fine. The steeplechase start allowed McDynamo full view of the course and fences his gallop gobbled up. He became a five-time winner of the Breeder’s Cup Grand National, and three-time champion of the prestigious Eclipse Award.

  Following McDynamo’s fifth victory in the Grand National, jockey Jody Petty said, “When he walks out of the paddock, he walks out like he’s home. I don’t know why, but I can feel it. He knows where he is and what he’s doing. Watching him gives you chills. He’s a horse of a lifetime, there’s no denying that.”

Match Made in Horse Heaven

  Michael, who enjoys a successful career as a trainer, met his wife, Anne, a 3-Day Event competitor and jockey, in County Meath, Ireland; clearly a match made in horse heaven.

  “She was perfect for him,” said his mother, Betty. “I was afraid he’d lose her, so one afternoon when we were all having lunch at a pub in Ireland, I proposed to her for Michael,” she jokes. “I said, ‘she’s perfect for you, don’t let her get away,’” she adds with a laugh.

  Married in 1984, the couple purchased a former, run-down mushroom farm, and started their racing business with six horses. Underscoring her mother-in-law’s prophesy, Anne’s riding career in the States has earned her two Maryland Hunt Cups, two Pennsylvania Hunt Cups, a pair of Maryland Grand Nationals and a few International Gold Cup races. Parents of three daughters, the Morans are hands-on with their breeding/training operation and remain active in racing.

Family Tradition

  Following his mother’s lead protecting precious open space from ever-increasing development, Michael purchased a 225-acre swatch of spectacular Unionville acreage abutting his farm after the owner’s death. He turned 100 acres into The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup course, one of the most prestigious and challenging timber races in America, confronting competitors with 22 timber fences across the terrain.

  More good news for racing: Chester County, one of four Pennsylvania counties that have made it a priority to save farmland, has currently reserved a total of 180,000 acres of open space and natural areas, more than any other county in the state. Kudos for this achievement go to the Brandywine Conservancy and other land trust organizations whose mission is to protect farmland, open space and natural areas.

Strong Foundation

  “Thanks to people like the Morans, steeplechasing continues to raise money for charities and give horses and their owners opportunities to run. Mrs. Moran’s influence at Radnor has been tremendous,” praises Joe Clancy, editor of Steeplechase Times. 

  “She leads a great team, and they’ve found a way to mix steeplechasing with sponsorship, charity and a community event. And Michael and Anne are doing the same thing with the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup.

  “The current economy may affect the sport negatively in terms of purses and horses competing, like it’s doing to everything else, but the sport’s not going away. The Pennsylvania-area meets all look good and they have a strong foundations,” Clancy concludes.  -CL-

Local Steeplechase Runners to Watch this Season

  The Price of Love and Mixed Up, both trained by Unionville-based Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard for owner, Bill Pape. Look for local jockey Danielle Hodson to be aboard Mixed Up.

  Paradise’s Boss, owned by Ann Stern, ridden by 2008 top steeplechase jockey, Lewisville, Pa-based Xavier Aizpuru. 

  Dark Equation, owned by Peggy Steinman and trained by Doug Fout; Best Attack, owned by Sally Radcliffe and trained by F. Bruce Miller.

  Good Night Shirt, last season’s sensational runner, started off with a win in this season’s $75,000 Carolina Cup. The Maryland-bred horse, owned by Sonny Via, 2008 Leading Owner, and trained by Jack Fisher, 2008 Leading Trainer, will bid for a third prestigious Eclipse Award.

Chester County Treasures