Racing Trophy ("Post Boy Cup"�)

The Ridgely family of the Hampton Estate in northern Baltimore County helped to establish the longstanding equestrian tradition that Maryland still enjoys to this day. For almost two hundred years, horses and equestrian activities played a major role in daily life at Hampton. The racing and breeding of thoroughbred horses reached its height under Hampton’s second master, Governor Charles Carnan Ridgely, said in his day to be “very famous for race horses.”

In 1803, Governor Ridgely purchased what would become his most renowned champion, Post Boy. Foaled in 1800, Post Boy lost only two races over his career. He twice won the prestigious Fifty Guinee Race Cup at the Fall Races for the Washington City Jockey Club. The 1805 “Post Boy Cup” trophy has a portrait of the horse engraved by Francis Shallus. Post Boy’s fame was so great that in January 1809 a $10,000 bet was proposed that he would beat Potomac at the Washington City Jockey Club Race Course the following October. Sadly, the race never took place as Post Boy broke his leg in a race two weeks prior to the meet.

The “Pegasus” winged horse finial on the top of the trophy is removable. The domed lid can then be used as a separate punch bowl, while the base becomes a loving cup to be passed around to celebrate a racing victory.