The Legacy of Marion DuPont Scott at Montpelier
Long before she hosted the first jump race at Montpelier, Marion DuPont Scott was destined for equine excellence.
Born in Wilmington, DE, Marion spent her early years in England, where horses were a part of everyday life. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, her parents purchased Montpelier, the former home of James and Dolley Madison, and the DuPonts enlarged the house to make it feel like a grand English country home. Soon, Marion and her brother, William, “were mad for ponies” and built themselves a show ring with leftover materials from the additions to the main house.
The Making of a Racing Legend
Marion was well on her way to becoming an accomplished rider, breeder and, ultimately, “America’s First Lady of Racing.”
By 1915, Marion was making headlines as the first woman to win a Madison Square Garden horse competition riding astride instead of sidesaddle. Soon after, she established a breeding and training program at Montpelier while also hosting horse shows and early jump races across the rolling fields of the Central Virginia estate.
International Fame with Battleship
After her parents died in the late 1920s, Marion inherited Montpelier and fortified her growing stature within the industry. Her horse, Battleship, became the first American-bred and American owned horse to win the prestigious British Grand National, a historic feat that catapulted her into worldwide fame. During her lifetime, Marion bred more than 53 stakes winners and amassed more than $5 million in winnings, which was especially unique at a time when earnings in steeplechasing were small.
A Legacy That Endures
And, just as she’d done each autumn since 1929, Marion hosted the annual Montpelier Hunt Races. That legacy continues today with the 90th anniversary running of one of the premier events on the National Steeplechase Association circuit, annually held the first Saturday in November on the historic Montpelier property.
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