Sondra & Howard Bender

The Bender family has owned Glade Valley Farm since 1959. Howard M. and Sondra D. Bender became active in horseracing in 1983. They started their own racing stable in 1984, and have been active Owners and Breeders ever since. The Benders were Maryland’s leading Breeders three years in a row from 2001-2003. Glade Valley Farm has been one of the top farms in the State of Maryland and currently boards 34 mares; 20 horses in training at Laurel Race Track. The Benders have raced 35 stakes winners over the years while racing in 3,400 races with over 550 winners. They have won over $15 Million in purses while winning more than 120 stake races. They were recipients of Owners and Breeders Awards from the National Thoroughbreds Owner and Breeder Association two years in a row and also won the Owner of the Brood mare of the Year Award with their Broodmare Foufa. Foufa produced 5 Stakes Winners. All of Mr. and Mrs. Bender’s stakes producing horses are Maryland Bred and have distinguished themselves with other horses from numerous different states as well as Canada. Their current star performer this year is a Filly named Promenade Girl; she has won 5 Stake races and has over $500,000 to date.