The polo playboy

Among the champions entering this year’s Hall of Fame is Stephen Sanford, whose name belongs to an old-school equestrian dynasty, says Tanya Jackson

Stephen ‘Laddie’ Sanford was just 24 when his horse, Sergeant Murphy, won the Grand National in 1923, making him the frst American to own a winner in the biggest race in the world. But greater success lay ahead in his primary pursuit, polo – a sport in which he won fve US Opens. He was even immortalised on flm – in 1938’s Sergeant Murphy – by Ronald Reagan.

Sanford’s equine heritage had been seeded in the 1870s, when his ambitious grandfather was advised by his doctor to ‘get a hobby’. Having already transformed his father’s carpet business into the largest employer in the town of Amsterdam, Stephen Sanford Sr decided to try his hand at breeding racehorses, and, in 1880, opened his Hurricana stud farm above the pretty and windswept Mohawk Valley.

Naturally, Sanford Sr made a success of his new interest, and, over the following decades, bred prize-winning mares and stallions. His son John grew up surrounded by beautiful, pedigree animals – as did the next generation of Sanfords. Consequently, Laddie had strong horse sense, along with the self-confdence that often comes with a privileged background. His escapades at Yale with roommate Sonny Whitney were legendary – as was his knack of escaping punishment via quick wit and debilitating charm.

Laddie Sanford cut a dashing fgure on the polo feld and had a reputation for having the most highly polished boots and immaculately turned-out jerseys and breeches – at least at the start of every game. His team, Hurricanes – named after the stud farm – were among the most competitive at the time, and, as well as winning fve Open Championships, participated in what is thought to be the longest polo match on record. Taking place in 1924 at New York’s Meadowbrook club between Aidan Roark’s Roslyn and Hurricanes, it lasted for 12 chukkas, before Hurricanes broke the tie and won 8 –7, just as the moon was coming up.

Soon after reaching the heights of 8-goaler, Sanford married the actress Mary Duncan, in 1933. In 1939, he took over the family stud, after his father died. The farm had been hit by tragedy earlier in the year when a stable fre had claimed the lives of 25 horses. Devastated, John Sanford had sold most of the remaining stock.

It was now that Laddie, previously known as something of a playboy, was able to really show his Sanford mettle. With a largely untested business drive that would have made his doting grandfather proud, he rebuilt the stock and, under his leadership, the farm soon fourished again. But, having sustained so many polo injuries throughout his life, he was confned to a wheelchair from 1954 until his death in 1977. He was laid to rest alongside other members of his family in Green Hill Cemetery, New York.