“End of an era.”
That’s how journalist Joe Clancy responded when he heard Andre W. Brewster had died.
Indeed, it is an end of an era – an era when sportsmen reigned, when horses mattered, when the pure joy of being involved meant everything.
Andre Brewster was the perfect owner.
Win, lose or disaster, Brewster never changed. Professional and kind, proud but understated, he was interested in what his jockey, his trainer, had to say, always at the races, the consummate gentleman, concerned about his horses, the loyal owner.
Brewster died February 20, he was 90.
On his own or as part of Arcadia Stable, Brewster campaigned Maryland Hunt Cup winner Buck Jakes, Iroquois winner Pinkie Swear, timber champion Bubble Economy, timber stakes winner Straight To It, novice stakes winner Selection Sunday and hard-knockers Real Pip, Jibaku, Pont Du Loup, Doubledarn, Dancewel, Dynability, Delta Park and many others.
“He was one of the best owners I ever rode for,” Willie Dowling said. “Winners or screw ups, he was always a gentleman. He was just happy to be an owner of a nice horse and be part of the sport.”
He and Nancy, his wife of 70 years, made the trip to Saratoga last summer to watch Selection Sunday compete in the Jonathan Kiser Memorial Novice Stakes. They braved a storm to get to the paddock, were escorted through the storm to the grandstand by Jack Fisher’s dad, Johnny, then walked back through the paddock after the race was aborted due to the rain. Brewster’s tweed coat was the only thing that changed – drenched, turning dark, heavy – his demeanor never changed. He flew home, Southwest Airlines, disappointed he didn’t get to see his horse run, but more disappointed for his trainer, his jockey, his team who he knew worked hard to get there.
“That was him, he never changed, he understands, (crap) happens,” Fisher said Wednesday. “He was the perfect gentleman. His last win, Straight To It at Middleburg, he was pretty excited, it didn’t take much for him to be excited, pleased. He loved the game, loved his horses, he always wanted to take care of the horses, that was a big thing for him. No pressure, ever. A lesson to be learned by all owners.”
On a trip to the Iroquois Steeplechase, Brewster was jostled onto another Southwest Airlines flight. Clancy said to him, “We need a plane, Mr. Brewster.” He looked up from under a Shawan Downs baseball hat, “Oh, Joe, I could have a plane, I just couldn’t have as many horses.” He smiled and took a middle seat. That was him, laughing at the situation and wishing he had more horses.
A direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin, Brewster was the great grandson of Benjamin Harris Brewster, attorney general under President Chester A. Arthur.
Named after his great uncle, Major General Andre Walker Brewster, a Medal of Honor winner for his valor in the Boxer Rebellion, Brewster grew up at Fernwood on Green Spring Valley Road in Baltimore County, next to his grandparents’ home Wickcliffe, now known as Maryvale School. After attending Gilman School in Baltimore, he graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H. before serving in the Marine Corps during World War II, he left the military as a first lieutenant.
He was a member of the Princeton Class of 1947, graduated from the University of Virginia Law School and was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1949. Brewster became managing partner at Piper & Marbury. He retired in 1971 but kept an office at what is now DLA Piper until his death. Brewster became chairman of the board at Johns Hopkins Hospital, was a founder of the Land Preservation Trust and was also a founder of Shawan Downs.
“Andre had a remarkable impact on the community locally, regionally and nationally. Andre has shared his love of steeplechasing with family and friends. His advice and encouragement have helped many get started in the sport,” nephew and godson Gerry Brewster wrote. “Andre’s life has been dedicated to helping others and to improving his community. He always believed in giving back. A man of few words but possessing a great wit, he would often surprise others with a response that left them in peals of laughter. Every community that Andre impacted benefited from his devotion and ability and are the better for it.”
Brewster is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their three children, Nancy Paternotte of Baltimore, Wickes MacColl of Idaho and Andre W. Brewster III Esq. of San Francisco. Brewster is survived by his brother, Walter Wickes Brewster and sister Frances Cochran Smith both of Lutherville, Md. Brewster was predeceased by his brother, former United States Senator Daniel B. Brewster and his sisters Catherine Brewster Jackson and Betty Baugh Towers. Brewster and his wife, Nancy, have eight grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren.
He is survived by the sport of steeplechasing – a long list of owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, stewards, race meet directors and friends who are grateful he played our game.
– Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at St. Thomas’ Church in Owings Mills and a reception will follow at the Green Spring Valley Hunt Club.
