Declan’s Moon breeder Ridgely dies at 67

Brice Ridgely, who bred 2004 juvenile champion Declan’s Moon in Maryland, died Tuesday of cancer at Baltimore-Washington Medical Center.

Ridgely, 67, was a farmer, auctioneer, and horse breeder. He owned Spring Meadow Farm in Cooksvile, Md.

Ridgely bred his mare, Vee Vee Star to second-year stallion Malibu Moon, who was then standing in Maryland, and the result was Declan’s Moon, who Ridgely sold at auction for $125,000.

Racing for the Jay Em Ess Stable of Mace and Samantha Siegel, Declan’s Moon went 4 for 4 as a 2-year-old, winning the Del Mar Futurity, Hollywood Prevue, and Hollywood Futurity for trainer Ron Ellis. Declan’s Moon would go on to race five seasons. He won 6 of 18 starts and $705,000.

A viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Haight Funeral Home and Chapel in Sykesville, Md. A funeral service will be held there at 10 a.m. Friday.

Memorial donations may be made to the Howard County Antique Farm Machinery Club Inc., P.O. Box 335, West Friendship, Md.