Edith W. Bancroft
{{Short description|American racehorse owner and breeder}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Edith Bancroft
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|birth_name= Edith Woodward
|birth_date = {{birth date|1905|10|08}}
|birth_place = Manhattan, New York
|death_date = {{Death date and age|1971|11|04|1905|10|08}}
|death_place = Old Brookville, New York
|education =
|known_for = Thoroughbred racehorse owner & breeder
|spouse = {{marriage|Thomas Moore Bancroft
|1929|1970|reason=his death}}
|children = 2
|parents = William Woodward Sr.
Elsie Ogden Cryder
}}
Edith Woodward Bancroft (October 8, 1905 – November 4, 1971) was an American owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racing horses best known for breeding and racing Damascus, the 1967 American Horse of the Year and a 1974 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee who was ranked 16th in the 1999 Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century.{{cite web|url= http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1992-05-11-1992132057-story.html |title= Damascus' legend began at Pimlico In '67, horse was fashionably 'late' |publisher=Baltimore Sun |date=1992-05-11 |access-date=2019-06-08}}{{cite web|url=https://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horses |title=Hall of Fame Horses |publisher=National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame |date=1955-01-01 |access-date=2019-06-08}} Among others, Edith Bancroft bred Cloudy Dawn, who won the Arlington Handicap and Dwyer Stakes and ran third to winner Riva Ridge in the 1972 Belmont Stakes.
Early life
The eldest of the four daughters of William Woodward Sr. and Elsie Ogden Cryder.{{cite news|title=Elsie C. Woodward, Philanthropist, dies at 98|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/14/obituaries/elsie-c-woodward-philanthropist-dies-at-98.html|access-date=30 August 2016|work=The New York Times|date=July 14, 1981}}{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/25/archives/thomas-bancroft-sr.html |title=Thomas Bancroft Sr.|work=The New York Times |date=1970-02-25 |access-date=2019-06-09}} Her younger sisters were Elizabeth Ogden Woodward (wife of married Robert Livingston Stevens,{{cite news|title=Robert Stevens, 65, Dies; A Financier and Investor|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/17/archives/robert-stevens-65-dies-a-financier-and-investor.html|access-date=20 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=17 July 1972|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123071742/http://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/17/archives/robert-stevens-65-dies-a-financier-and-investor.html|archive-date=23 January 2018}}{{cite news|title=R.L. STEVENS DIVORCED.; Mrs. Elizabeth O.W. Stevens Gets Reno Decree, Charging Cruelty.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/08/14/archives/rl-stevens-divorced-mrs-elizabeth-ow-stevens-gets-reno-decree.html|access-date=20 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=14 August 1935|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010104640/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/08/14/archives/rl-stevens-divorced-mrs-elizabeth-ow-stevens-gets-reno-decree.html|archive-date=10 October 2017}} John Teele Pratt Jr. (a son of John Teele Pratt),{{cite news|title=J. T. PRATT JR. WEDS MRS. E. W. STEVENS; Cemony Performed at Home of Bride's Parent, the William Woodwards, in Wheatley Hills.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/05/archives/j-t-pratt-jr-weds-mrs-e-w-stevens-cemony-performed-at-home-of.html|access-date=20 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=5 September 1935|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010104648/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/05/archives/j-t-pratt-jr-weds-mrs-e-w-stevens-cemony-performed-at-home-of.html|archive-date=10 October 2017}}{{cite news|title=John T. Pratt Jr., 65, Is Dead; Institute Trustee and Bank A icle|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/06/21/archives/joan-t-pratt-jr-65-is-dead-institute-trustee-and-bank-a-icle.html|access-date=20 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=21 June 1969|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017150155/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C01EEDE1639EF3BBC4951DFB0668382679EDE&legacy=true|archive-date=17 October 2017}} and Squaw Valley Ski Resort founder Alexander Cochrane Cushing);{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Douglas |title=Alexander Cushing, 92, Dies; Turned Squaw Valley Into World-Class Skiing Destination |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/22/obituaries/22cushing.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=22 August 2006}} Sarah Woodward (wife of Charles Arthur Moore III,{{cite news |title=Sarah Woodward, Daughter of Turf Leader, Is Betrothed to Charles Arthur Moore 3d |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/05/14/archives/sarah-woodward-daughter-of-turf-lear-is-betrothed-to-charles-arthur.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=14 May 1936}}{{cite news |title=Miss Sarah Woodward Is Wed at Newport In Parents' Home to Charles A. Moore 3d |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/24/archives/miss-sarah-woodward-is-wed-at-newport-in-parents-home-to-charles-a.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=24 July 1936}} and Marshall Christopher Sewall);{{cite news |title=MARSHALL SEWALL WED MRS. MOORE; Former Navy Officer Marries the Daughter of the William Woodwards in Their Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/10/12/archives/marshall-sewall-wed-mrs-moore-former-navy-officer-marries-the.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=12 October 1949}} and Ethel Woodward (wife of Philippe de Croisset).{{cite news |title=DE CROISSET DIES; FRENCH PUBLISHER; War Hero, 53, Had Headed French Agency in N.Y. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/24/archives/de-groisset-dies-freblgh-publisher-war-hero-53-had-headed-french.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=24 March 1965}} a son of French playwright Francis de Croisset,{{cite news |title=DE CROISSET, NOTED AS A PLAYWRIGHT; Belgian Who Won Series of Successes in Paris Dies in Neuilly at Age of 60 HIS PLAYS PRODUCED HERE Ran Away From Home to Avoid Army Career--Honored for Valor in World War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/11/09/archives/de-croisset-noted-as-a-playwright-belgian-who-won-series-of.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=9 November 1937}}{{cite news |title=Ethel Woodward, Daughter of Turfman, Becomes the Bride of Philippe de Croisset |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/04/09/archives/ethel-woodward-daughter-of-turfman-becomes-the-bride-of-philippe-de.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=9 April 1941}} Her only brother, William Woodward Jr. was shot and killed by his wife Ann, reportedly thinking him a burglar. She later committed suicide in 1975,{{cite news |last1=Spiegel |first1=Irving |title=Ann Woodward, Cleared in '55 Of Slaying Her Husband, Dead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/12/archives/ann-woodward-cleared-in-55-of-slaying-her-husband-dead.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=12 October 1975}} after Truman Capote published a story that "depicted her as a murderous vamp."{{cite news |last1=Yardley |first1=Jim |title=Heir to a Fortune, and to Tragedy; Suicide Ends the Life of a Wealthy, and Haunted, Man |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/08/nyregion/heir-fortune-tragedy-suicide-ends-life-wealthy-haunted-man.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=8 May 1999}}{{cite news |last1=Bigart |first1=Homer |title=WOODWARD LEFT TRUSTS TO 2 SONS; Widow Gets $2,500 in Cash and Lifetime Income From One-Third of Estate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/11/10/archives/woodward-left-trusts-to-2-sons-widow-gets-2500-in-cash-and-lifetime.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=10 November 1955}}
Thoroughbred racing
Edith Bancroft's father was president and a major shareholder of Hanover National Bank who also owned Belair Stud, one of the most important breeding and racing operations in the history of American Thoroughbred racing. As part of winning twelve American Classics races, under William Woodward Sr., Belair won each of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes three times and the Belmont Stakes six times. On two occasions their horse swept the U.S. Triple Crown. Five Belair horses were voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and William Woodward Sr. was inducted as one of the "Pillars of the Turf in 2016."{{cite web|url= https://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/william-woodward-sr |title=William Woodward Sr. |publisher=National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame |date=2016-01-01 |access-date=2019-06-08}}
=Pen-Y-Bryn Farm=
While her only brother William Woodward Jr. had inherited Belair Stud, Edith Bancroft's sons, William Woodward Bancroft and Thomas Moore Bancroft Jr. would continue the family tradition of breeding and racing Thoroughbreds. Following the passing of their mother, in 1971 the brothers began operating under the nom de course Pen-Y-Bryn Farm. Among their successful horses were Highland Blade, Honorable Miss, Zen, Bailjumper and Cloudy Dawn, the latter bred by their mother.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/184058/william-bancroft-raced-highland-blade-dead |title=William Bancroft, Raced Highland Blade, Dead |publisher=Bloodhorse.com |date=2003-01-22 |access-date=2019-01-01}}{{cite web|url=https://paw.princeton.edu/memorial/william-woodward-bancroft-%E2%80%9953 |title= Memorial - William Woodward Bancroft '53 |publisher=Princeton University - Princeton Alumni Weekly |date=1953-01-22 |access-date=2019-06-08}}
Personal life
In 1929, Edith married textile executive Thomas Moore Bancroft.{{cite news |title=THRONG AT WEDDING OF MISS WOODWARD; New York Girl Married to Thomas M. Bancroft in St. Thomas's Chantry. FATHER ESCORTS THE BRIDE Beautiful Floral Decorations and a Full Choral Service--Reception at Woodward Home. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/06/13/archives/throng-at-wedding-of-miss-woodward-new-york-girl-married-to-thomas.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=13 June 1929}} Together, they were the parents of two sons:{{cite news |title=Thomas Bancroft Sr. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/25/archives/thomas-bancroft-sr.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=25 February 1970}}
- Thomas Moore Bancroft Jr. (1930–2019),{{cite web |title=BANCROFT--Thomas Moore, Jr. |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-bancroft&pid=194109217&fhid=11930 |website=www.legacy.com |access-date=26 June 2020}} who married Standard Oil heiress Margaret Wright Bedford in 1951.{{cite news |last1=Nemy |first1=Enid |title=DUCHESS D'UZES DIES IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT: U.S. Born Socialite is Killed After A Party Near Paris--Was Wife of France's Premier Duke |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/18/archives/long-island-opinion-duchess-duzes-dies-in-an-auto-accident-usborn.html |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=18 October 1977}} They divorced in 1960 and he married Melissa Weston, and thirdly to Barbara (née Symmers) Wiedemann (former wife of George Stanhope Wiedemann III) in 1977.{{cite news |title=T. M. Bancroft Jr. Weds Barbara Wiedemann |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/09/02/archives/tm-bancroft-jr-weds-barbara-wiedemann.html |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=2 September 1977}}
- William Woodward Bancroft (1932–2003){{cite web |title=William Woodward Bancroft '53 |url=https://paw.princeton.edu/memorial/william-woodward-bancroft-%E2%80%9953 |website=paw.princeton.edu |publisher=Princeton Alumni Weekly |access-date=26 June 2020}}
Bancroft died in Old Brookville on November 4, 1971.{{cite news |title=Edith Woodward Bancroft Dies; Damascus Owned by Her Stable |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/05/archives/edith-woodward-bancroft-dies-damascus-owned-by-her-stable.html |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=5 November 1971}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{find a Grave|110836402|Edith Woodward Bancroft}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bancroft, Edith W.}}
Category:People from New York City
Category:People from Oyster Bay Cove, New York
Category:American racehorse owners and breeders
Category:Owners of Preakness Stakes winners
Category:Breeders of Preakness Stakes winners
Category:Owners of Belmont Stakes winners