Prominent Maryland breeder Howard Bender dies at 84

Howard Bender, a longtime owner and breeder in Maryland, died Monday at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. He was 84.

Bender was a longtime member of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association board of directors. He and his late wife, Sondra, who died in 2012, had been involved in Maryland racing since 1983 and had been honored by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association in 2001, 2002, and 2003 as Breeders of the Year. The Benders won more than 500 races and more than $14 million in purses.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association named Bender Maryland Breeder of the Year for 2014. The Benders owned Glade Valley Farm in Frederick, Md.

Lawrence Murray trained for the Benders for more than 30 years. Their stakes winners include La Reine’s Terms, Snow King, Promenade Girl, Secret River, and Foufa’s Warrior.

According to Murray, Bender will be represented on Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park on Oct. 17 by Maryland’s Love, a 2-year-old filly.