According to the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Robert Manfuso, who operated Chanceland Farm in West Friendship, MD, and was a former part-owner of Laurel and Pimlico, has passed away. He was 82.
Manfuso died Thursday of natural causes.
He was a member of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the organization called him “a tireless advocate for Thoroughbred owners.” That was just one of his many roles in the sport, as he had served as a member of the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors and as a director of Pinnacle Entertainment when it owned Hollywood Park in California..
In 1986, Manfuso was among a group of investors that bought Laurel and Pimlico. The group also included Manfuso's brother Tom, Martin Jacobs and Frank DeFrancis. The new owners pumped much-needed new life into the Maryland tracks and were widely viewed as some of the most innovative track owners in the sport.
According to the Baltimore Sun, between 1985 and 1990, annual attendance at Laurel and Pimlico increased 50%, four times the growth rate of 12% for all tracks in United States. The handle increased 65% at the two Maryland tracks, three times the national growth rate of 21% during the period.
Manfuso retired from active management in 1990.
“(Manfuso) is credited as part of an endeavor that helped revitalized the industry in Maryland at that time,” the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said it in its press release announcing his death.
He operated Chanceland Farm with his long-time partner, Katherine Voss.
He bred numerous graded stakes winners, with Belterra (Unbridled) and Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss) topping the list. Manfuso was also the owner of Belterra, who won the GII Golden Rod S. Manfuso bred Cathryn Sophia from Belterra's daughter Sheave (Mineshaft) and sold her for $30,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2014 Eastern Fall Yearling Sale. For owner Cash Is King LLC, she went on to win the GI Kentucky Oaks in 2016, along with two other graded stakes. She brought $1.4 million at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton November sale and $2.3 million in foal to Pioneerof the Nile at Keeneland November in 2017.
Manfuso attended the 2020 Renaissance Awards, which honor the top performers in Maryland racing, Feb. 12. The champion Maryland-bred 3-year-old filly, Las Setas (Seville {Ger}), was bred by Manfuso and Voss and co-owned by Manfuso, Voss and Wayne Harrison. Manfuso and Voss also bred Cordmaker (Curlin), a full brother to Las Setas, who was voted champion older male.
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