BBQ season doesn’t end this Labor Day! On September 28, 2019, from 3pm until 6pm, the Maryland Horse Council will host its Annual MHC BBQ at the legendary Sagamore Farm in Glyndon, MD.

Founded in 1925 by Issac Emerson, Sagamore was given to Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Jr., for his 21st birthday in 1933 by his mother Margaret, who was Emerson’s daughter. The farm quickly became internationally recognized as a premier training and breeding facility for top quality Thoroughbred racehorses. The 1935 English Triple Crown winner Bahram stood at Sagamore Farm; later, the 1966 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Kauai King would also stand at stud there.

However, Sagamore’s most famous Thoroughbred was Native Dancer, known to his adoring fans as the Galloping Grey Ghost. He won both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in 1953 and was later inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Other Sagamore horses, Discovery and Bed o’Roses, are also both Hall of Fame inductees.

Vanderbilt sold Sagamore to James Ward in 1986 and then in 2007, Kevin Plank, CEO and founder of Under Armour, purchased the farm and began restoring the famed buildings, track and more.

Those attending this year’s BBQ will be able to participate in a self guided tour of the grounds where Sagamore’s staff and historians will be speaking at various stops such as the indoor track, restored main barn and Native Dancer’s grave site. Tours will run from 3pm to 4pm so get there early!

The Jazz Trotters will be performing throughout the afternoon with a mix of jazz standards and pop songs. The ensemble has been playing together for the last four years after getting their start during Maryland Million at Laurel Park. Many of the Jazz Trotters are horsemen themselves with ties to the harness racing industry.

Members of the Baltimore City Police Mounted Unit will be on hand for a “meet and greet” and author Peter Lee will be autographing his new book Spectacular Bid: The Last Superhorse of the Twentieth Century. There will be more than books to purchase at this year’s BBQ as several MHC business members will be setting up vendor booths. Plus, MHC’s annual silent auction will be full of goodies with proceeds benefiting the Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS).

The Baltimore-based craft beer RavenBeer is this year’s official Beer Sponsor! Inspired by Baltimore poet Edgar Allan Poe, RavenBeer currently brews six different craft beers in multiple styles. RavenBeer’s Cask was voted third best beer crafted by Maryland breweries by the Brewers Association of Maryland. They have earned Gold Medals in Case Box Design and Tap Handle Creativity by Tastings.com and were named one of the US’s Top 23 Craft Beer Tap Handles in America by Thrillist.com.

And let’s not forget food! This year’s BBQ will be catered by Mission BBQ, providing classic favorites. Founded on September 11, 2011, the owners of Mission BBQ give back every day to various military, police and fire fighter charities throughout the country including Baltimore’s City Fire Service, Baltimore County Fire Department, Baltimore County PAR Fund and Baltimore County Police Department. They also support several other local service charities in Maryland.

Tickets are now on sale, so go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/mdhorsecouncil/289508# and get your tickets today!