Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority Training Center at Shamrock Farms
Background
Shamrock Farm, located in Woodbine, Maryland in Carroll County, was established in 1948 by the late Art Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mr. Rooney imagined the rolling hills of Carroll County as the perfect location for laying up his racehorses when the tracks closed in the winter.
Shamrock Farm’s current use as a thoroughbred breeding farm is envisioned as a state-of-the-art horse training facility and is poised to complement and strengthen the state’s future horseracing industry.
Currently, the total farm site is approximately 640 acres with facilities that include a stallion barn with attached breeding shed, foaling barn, barren mare/sales/lay-up barn with an exerciser, yearling barn, and numerous run-in sheds in lush green pastures.
Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority Training Facility
Maryland’s vision and commitment to revitalize and grow the state’s horseracing industry led to the Shamrock Farm project. This initiative involves building Maryland’s new Thoroughbred training center as a central component of a comprehensive plan. Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) reviewed potential properties for the new facility and in December 2024 announced the training center will be built on Shamrock Farm near Woodbine in Carroll County.