MD owner and breeder Harrison passes at age 75

Wayne Alan Harrison, who was active in the Maryland Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry for many years, passed away Aug. 7 surrounded by his family and friends. He was 75.

A resident of Rockville, Md., and a native of Montgomery County, Harrison attended Churchill High School in Potomac and later graduated high school from Greenbrier Military academy in West Virginia. He then went on to graduate from West Virginia Wesleyan College  in 1974. He was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity and during his time at Wesleyan Harrison became a founding member of the college's rugby team.

After graduating, Harrison returned to the Washington, D.C., area to work for HT Harrison & Sons roofing company, which at the time was owned by his father, W.T. Harrison, and his uncles. He  would later go on to run the company as its Chief Executive Officer.

Harrison owned several Maryland-bred stakes winners in partnership with Katy Voss and the late Robert Manfuso, including Corvus, who won the Maryland Million Nursery in 2015; Las Setas, who captured the Wide Country Stakes, Beyond the Wire Stakes and Weber City Miss Stakes in 2016; and Saratoga Bob, who was victorious in the 2018 Maryland Million Classic. All three were bred by Manfuso and Voss—who trained them—of Chanceland Farm in West Friendship, Md.

Harrison also owned 1995 Maryland Million Classic winner Brilliant Patriot in partnership with Lawrence Pomerantz. He co-bred a yearling out of Las Setas.

“His highlights were winning the Maryland Million Classic,” Voss said. “He was good friends with jockey Edgar Prado, and was very excited when he rode Saratoga Bob in the Classic. Wayne used to come out to the farm and he would come to Saratoga when we were up there. His friends and family were all involved.”

Harrison also served as President of Maryland Million Ltd. for several years and was President of the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association for a brief period during a transition. Harrison also served for many years on the board of directors for the Capital Bank of Maryland as Chairman of the Loan Committee, and Voss said he was instrumental in the bank serving as a Maryland Million sponsor.

Harrison was an active member in the Washington Rugby Club and the rugby community. He spent many years playing for and coaching various teams across the region. One of the highlights of his rugby career was coaching The University of Maryland Women's Rugby Team, who played in the NCAA National Tournament while he served as the backs’ coach.

Harrison is survived by his wife of 43 years, Capri Harrison, and the couple’s three children, Travis, Crystal and Tiffany. Visitation hours will take place Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 5-7 p.m. at Pumphrey Funeral Home, 300 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville, Md., 20850.

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