And They’re Off! Horseracing at the South Street Driving Park

Seaton Hackney racetrack, circa 1910, Morris Township, NJ. Johnnie Harvard guideless trotter, owned by H.W. Armstrong. NJHGC Collections.

 

The tranquil atmosphere at Seaton Hackney Stables belies its thrilling history

June 11, 2015
By Carolyn Dorsey, North Jersey History & Genealogy Center

Seaton Hackney Stables at the Loantaka Brook Reservation has a fascinating and varied history. Today, this historical facility includes a riding school, a half-mile oval track as well as several miles of paths that emanate from the stable area through portions of the reservation.

Fairgrounds on South Street, currently Seaton Hackney, from the 1868 Beers Atlas

The property’s association with horseracing began in the early 1860s when The Morris County Agricultural Association purchased it to be used as fairgrounds. County fairs, held in September and October, played an important role in New Jersey agricultural communities in the 19th century. Local civic groups prepared exhibits and operated refreshment stands, while merchants participated with displays of the latest farming equipment on the grounds.  Cash prizes were offered for best pig, cow and poultry in livestock competitions. Dairy products, baked goods, fruits and vegetables, along with handcrafted items such as rugs, quilts, and fancy articles were displayed for all to admire.

The Morris County Agricultural Fair first opened in 1865 with the usual displays of farm equipment, produce, livestock — and a racetrack.  Horse racing at the county fair was introduced in Morristown after much public debate. Many farmers felt horse racing had little value for an agricultural community; local sermons and public discussions decried its corrupting influence. A public problem at the time was with residents who kept fast horses and raced each other on local roads, sometimes causing disruption and accidents. It was decided that the fairgrounds would include a racetrack, perhaps in an effort to keep local horse racing off the streets.

The Exciting Spectacle of Horse Racing

The fast horse races on the dirt track thrilled Morristown fair-goers. Agricultural fairs were entertaining and festive events, but it was the excitement of the races and the lure of prize money that brought in the crowds. Thoroughbred racing, trotting and pacing competitions were the main attractions.

Dexter and Ethan Allen at Morristown, 1867, Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph Division

The most celebrated match at The Fairgrounds occurred on Independence Day in 1867 between two exalted horses whose spectacular bloodlines made them the star athletes of their time. The purse of $3,500 (about $55,000 today) was one of the largest offered. About 2500 spectators packed the fields to watch trotting sensation Ethan Allen triumph over Dexter. Reports of the day claimed that never had such excitement been seen on a track. Horse racing had become a sensation in the United States, and remained popular with each passing decade.

In the latter 19th century, The Driving Park, as it came to be known, was transferred to private owners and passed through a series of hands until it was purchased by a family whose livelihood revolved around horse dealing.

The Sire Family

Henry Sire and his wife Rosena settled in Morristown just before the Civil War. They were German Jews and were related to the Sire family of Morris Plains.  Henry had a large stable on Speedwell Avenue just north of Spring Street and also had a smaller barn behind his home on Early Street. It was said that Sire did a considerable business during the Civil War selling remounts to the Union cavalry. The business soon expanded to a large stable on Speedwell Avenue, just north of Spring Street. In 1860, their son Benjamin was born, and a few years later they had another son, William. Newspaper accounts of the Sire boys describe their horse racing exploits on the streets of Morristown.

When Ben came of age his father made him his business partner, and named the firm “Henry Sire & Son.” After Henry’s death in 1894, Ben and William became partners trading as “B. Sire & Brother”. The Sires traveled to horse-breeding farms in the Midwest to purchase horses, which they shipped by rail to Morristown. After the young, frisky horses were unloaded at the Lackawanna freight yard, they were herded up Morris and Spring streets to the Sire barns. Older Morristown residents recalled that this lively spectacle drew a large crowd of onlookers.

Morristown Driving Park ad in The Jerseyman, July 4 event., 1888

The Sire Brothers took ownership and management of the Driving Park, and they proved to have a particular talent for promotion and equestrian entertainment. They used the grounds in the summer for weekly horse racing events, which included acrobatic and novelty riding acts which accompanied local trotting, harness, and quarter horse races, as well as prestigious thoroughbred horse shows associated with the Morristown Field Club.

Many acclaimed trotters of the day raced on the track at one time or another. Clay pigeon shooting competitions were also held on the property. People who lived near the track had to keep their windows closed because of all the dust that was stirred up from the races. Some residents recalled the track as the scene of some of the greatest excitement Morristown ever knew.

Equestrienne ad from the Jerseyman, July.,1888
Myrtie Peek in riding costume, courtesy of Dennis Carpenter

Above, an 1888 post from the Jerseyman shows an equestrienne advertisement. Miss Myrtie Peek, a renowned and accomplished equestrienne of her day demonstrated at Morristown in 1888.  Originally from Michigan, Miss Peek travelled throughout the United States in the summer months with her horses, and rode in popular distance races of the time at different venues.  Her act consisted of a race against her riderless horse “Longview”, contests with skeleton carriages and other acrobatic feats such as the Roman Standing Race, in which she stood astride two horses while they raced and lept hurdles in unison. She also was known to vault from side to side on two horses during the length of the homestretch.

Residents recalled a performer known as “Major Tot”, a dwarf who lived next to the track and rode around the course in a miniature coach. His real name was Pierre Albert Poitras, and he was born in Massachusetts in 1869. Poitras was a former member of the Barnum and Bailey circus.

By the late 19th century, Morristown became a place well known for both tourism and gambling. Weekend visitors who took the train from New York stayed in the many hotels around Morristown, and took a bus from the Morristown Green to the track. Admission to the grandstand was 50 cents, and refreshments such as lemonade and soda were offered but no intoxicating drinks were sold.

In 1894, New Jersey outlawed some types of gambling, but enforcement was lax. The wealthy and fun loving set of Morristown loved to bet. Rumors flourished of local bookies covering bets at the track while authorities looked the other way.

 

Johnny Harvard

Johnny Harvard, “The Guideless Wonder”, at the Morristown Track ca. 1905

Johnny Harvard, foaled in 1901, was a chestnut gelding known as  “The Guideless Wonder” – a horse who raced without a driver.  Older Morristown residents recalled the horse trotting by himself through the streets of Morristown, drawing crowds wherever he went. When he was about to enter in a contest with other horses, Johnny Harvard left his stall on command, walked to his post, and was off with the others when his barrier was lifted. It was said that no matter how heated the race, he never broke. In the event of a recall he would turn and jog back with the others, who had drivers to guide them. He would continue the performance until a signal was given, when he would sprint away and trot the entire mile without a mistake.

The Moores acquire the Driving Park

In 1914, the wealthy tycoon W.H. Moore and his son Paul acquired the Driving Park, extending their interest in hackney horses to include a breeding facility. They upgraded the barns and track and renamed the property Seaton Hackney Farm for the stable of colts and fillies they brought with them from Virginia. Posh athletic clubs continued to hold fancy horse shows there, further solidifying its reputation as a focal point of fashionable sport.

Undefeated Seaton Pippin, with Fannie Moore at the reins

Paul Moore and his wife Fannie built their expansive estate on an adjacent hill above the track and named it Hollow Hill Farm, where they bred and showed their fine horses. Acclaimed for their prize-winning Seaton Hackney horses, one mare stood above the others. The grand Seaton Pippin, a hackney mare who won 203 blue ribbons and seven grand championships, retired undefeated in 1932. After her husband’s death in 1959, Fannie Moore donated Seaton Hackney Farm to The Morris County Parks Commission to use as a riding school.

Seaton Hackney Stables today

Seaton Hackney Stables offers new generations a wide range of equestrian activities, offering a family-friendly environment for riders of all ages, 3 years old through adults throughout the year.

Call Seaton Hackney Stables for more information at: 973-644-3355

For a behind the scenes look at our collections and additional information on New Jersey history, follow us on Twitter @NJHistoryCenter and on Tumblr at njhgc.tumblr.com.

You can see more Morris area historical equestrian imagery in our online photo collection.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Myrtle is my 2nd cousin 3x removed. Indeed she was an amazing horsewoman. If you are interested do a Google search for Madam Marantette. Madam was Myrtle’s older sister, Emma Peek. They were both managed by Emma’s eventual husband Daniel H. Harris, a horse trader and trainer from Kentucky.

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