North Hampton’s Runnymede Farm under agreement for sale

NORTH HAMPTON — Historic Runnymede Farm, the birthplace of thoroughbreds like Dancer’s Image, is under agreement with a buyer who intends to keep it a horse farm.

Real estate broker Lauren Stone said she could not share the price of the purchase of the farm located at 68 Atlantic Ave. or the new owner until the sale closes at the end of May. She said the property will remain a horse farm, however, having bred successful thoroughbred horses that have competed in races like the Kentucky Derby. The farm has a listed price of $3.65 million.

The property, a 1920-era farm, was originally owned and operated as a dairy farm by the late former Massachusetts governor Alvan T. Fuller. Alan and Donna Perkins have owned the property since 2011.

“It’s a beautiful property,” Stone said. “It’s going to continue to be a horse farm.”

The sale is separate from the home at 4 Dancer's Image Lane just east of the farm. That property is currently for sale listed at $17,995,000.

The 6.31-acre farm abuts the scenic Little River and is within sight and sound of the Atlantic Ocean, according to its real estate listing. Included in the acreage is an additional house lot with a two-level carriage house and views of the river.

The main level of the property’s barn includes 12 matted stalls with Dutch doors, a wash stall with hot and cold water, a heated office, a kitchen area, two and a half baths, and a beautiful tack room. Its upstairs features a three-bedroom groom's apartment with two bathrooms, a laundry room, a living room, a dining room, an office and more. Hay storage is also available on the second floor.

The farm also features an outdoor irrigated arena, a round pen as well as six grazing paddocks. An outdoor kitchen exists that includes a grill, refrigerator and a pizza oven.

Gardens, extensive stonewalls and a gated entry are also on the property. Separate grazing easements across the pastures provide approximately 8 additional acres of lush grass.

“It’s been wonderfully maintained,” Stone said.

Historic Runnymede Farm has winning tradition with thoroughbred racing

Established in 1923, Runnymede achieved national fame when the Fullers' late son, Peter, bred racing thoroughbreds there. The sign at its entrance boasts two of its most famous racehorses – Dancer’s Image and Mom’s Command.

2012 story: Philanthropist, horse racing legend Peter Fuller dies

Dancer’s Image was born at the farm and crossed the finish line first at the 1968 Kentucky Derby but was disqualified because of the use of a banned anti-inflammatory drug. The decision to disqualify the gray stallion was controversial and was disputed.

Another famous horse born at Runnymede was a filly named Mom’s Command, who won 11 of her 16 starts. That included the Triple Crown for fillies as a 3-year-old in 1985, jockeyed each time by Fuller’s daughter Abby.

Select Board Chair Jim Maggiore said the property is “iconic” to North Hampton and the entire Seacoast for its history.

“I just hope that whoever’s purchased that property appreciates all that that property means to the community,” Maggiore said.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the historic Runnymede Farm at 68 Atlantic Ave. is under agreement for sale. Another property at 4 Dancer's Image Lane is currently on the market for $17,995,000.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: North Hampton’s Runnymede Farm under agreement for sale