The main house at Bonita Farm. Photo from Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby’s International Realty.
Bonita Farm, the breeding and training center operated by the Boniface family, is for sale — for anyone with $12 million to spare.
The 350-acre facility in Darlington, MD — built in part by the racing and breeding career of Deputed Testamony, the Boniface homebred who is the last Maryland-bred to win the Preakness Stakes, includes six houses (among them the circa 1820 main house) and turf and dirt training tracks. In addition to its equine functions, the farm is also a vineyard and a wedding site. The land is in an agricultural easement held by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
In addition to Deputed Testamony, the Boniface family also stood Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin for several years. There are currently two stallions at Bonita: Mojave Moon and Etched, the latter of whose first runners will hit the track this year.
In an article in the Baltimore Sun, family patriarch J. William Boniface said that the family is testing the waters and thinks it is more likely to attract investment capital than a purchaser. He believes the time is right to bring in a higher-end stallion to Maryland. The state’s most expensive current stallion, longtime regional leader Not for Love, stands for $15,000 but is nearing the end of his career.
The farm’s online sales listing with Brandywine Fine Properties reinforces that notion. It concludes, “Come take advantage of the 30% Maryland Thoroughbred Racing Breeders Bonus!”
Third generation stereotype ringing true. What a shame.