Robert T. Manfuso ’59

Born in Washington, D.C., to a life of thoroughbred horse breeding and racing, Bob died March 19, 2020, of causes related to a suspected heart condition at his Chanceland Farm home in West Friendship, Md. 

At Landon, where he prepped, Bob played football and served on student council. At Princeton he majored in politics, rowed with the 150-pound crew, managed Triangle’s publicity, ate at Cannon, and ran Esquire Sales, purveying perfume to undergrads to take home for Christmas gifts. 

Following graduation Bob worked for a time as marketing and sales director at Burton Parsons, a family-owned pharmaceutical firm. While there, and together with his brother and another set of brothers, he founded Fourbros Stable, beginning his lifelong career of breeding and racing horses. 

In the mid-1980s he joined a partnership to purchase Laurel Park racetrack, followed several years later by purchase of Pimlico race course, bringing both tracks back to prominence, restoring the reputation of Maryland racing, and being credited with reviving Maryland thoroughbred racing. 

In 1987, with his life partner, Katharine Voss, he developed Chanceland Farm for training and breeding horses. Named Maryland Breeder of the Year in 2016, Bob helped breed Cathryn Sophia, that year’s Maryland-bred Horse of the Year. In 2019 he and Katharine bred two more Maryland champions. 

Bob is survived by Katharine; son Robert Jr.; daughter Elizabeth Pothier; two sisters; and four granddaughters. We offer condolences to all.