Shades of Maryland Red

Marylanders – especially the Terp variety – consider the vivid crimson on the Crossland quadrant of our state flag the true Maryland red.

Students of historic preservation interpret Maryland red as burnt sienna, like the brick masonry that defines many classic structures throughout the state. (Shout out to Camden Yards here.)

But there are a few other shades of red identified with Maryland sports worth noting now -- because you’re going to be hearing a lot more about them in coming months.

So start with the bright red of the Maryland flag and blend in a bit of the white. (Not too much, or you’ll get Pepto Bismol.) Slightly mellower than red is cerise, a color identified with one of the most famous Maryland athletes of all time.

Actually, we’re contemporaries, born just a few months apart. He, however, retired a millionaire before I entered first grade. And, to my knowledge, he made no effort to cover his gray hair, which only made him more distinguished with age.

(We all should be so lucky.)

Native Dancer lived and worked most of his life in Baltimore County. Although his famous home produced many other illustrious champions, there is none so prolific and influential in current thoroughbred lineage that the Galloping Gray Ghost. In this gene pool, he’s Michael Phelps.



He carried the colors – cerise and white – of Sagamore Farms, owned by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt. For many years, the colorful cherry diamond pattern was identified with the gentleman breeder who built the Maryland racing industry and once owned the Jockey Club.

We’ve written before about the renaissance taking place at this pastoral landmark under its new owner, Kevin Plank. Through his passion for all things Maryland, and appreciation for the heritage of the horse racing sport, Sagamore Farms is not only bringing a new generation of Maryland equine athletes to the main arena, it’s also bringing back cerise as a designer color.

Yes, cerise – the color of cough drops and favorite flavor of Lifesaver – is once again a signature hue of excellence. Not only is it brightening the gables of the historic farm buildings, it is the fashion statement made by Sagamore horses in their jockey silks.


In the recent article about Under Armour’s purchase of Tide Point for their corporate campus, I was struck by color of the famous logo over the entrance.

Cerise and white.  Right there on the bridge.

How’s that for cross marketing? Under Armour sports apparel also comes in cerise. Yes, cerise just might be the “it” color of the season.

Which brings us to another brilliant shade of red in the Maryland sports pallet. Take that cerise, add some Navy blue, and that brings you to  . . .  maroon.

Actually Maroon, as in the PR firm long associated with the Orioles, Cal Ripken, and now Sagamore Farms.

Maroon Marketing is responsible for incorporating this sports legend and storied facility into a recognized player in the thoroughbred industry.

We’ll be seeing a lot more of cerise with the Maroon influence. It will certainly be front and center at the Preakness, where Under Armour anchors the infield corporate village at the finish line (sufficiently distant from the Kegasus crowd.)

Terry has promised the spirited chestnut filly and old gray mare a trip to Sagamore later this spring, when the fields are fragrant with blooming clover. We couldn’t be more excited to visit the past and future of the Maryland horse industry, in a county where equestrian sports have flourished for centuries.


Someday, we’ll see that cerise and white ensemble  accessorized with a blanket of Black-eyed Susans in a circle at Pimlico.

What could be more Maryland than that?