Padlocking the paddocks at Sunnyfield Farm

Dogs and horses not mixing well

Iconic vista of Sunnyfield Farm. (Zillow photo)

By JEFF MORRIS

Last year, it sold for the highest price ever recorded in the history of Bedford real estate. Now, its manager has had to padlock the gates to keep trespassers off the property.

Sunnyfield Farm, the iconic horse property whose rolling acres dominate the view along the north side of Route 172 in Bedford Village, was sold for $30,675,000 on May 28, 2024. The farm, whose official address is 787 South Bedford Road, is a key part of what the town of Bedford website refers to when it says, “For generations, horses have been a defining part of Bedford’s landscape. Residents have enjoyed the pastoral pleasure of horses grazing on miles of its picturesque land.” 

The website goes on to specifically reference Sunnyfield: “One of the first things you may see upon entering Bedford is Sunnyfield Farm, 230 acres of rolling pastures with yellow stables and grazing horses. Sunnyfield houses several barns for lessons and competitive training. It is also a leading thoroughbred breeding farm. Sunnyfield foals have gone on to run in the Kentucky Derby, and in the spring of 2017 welcomed two foals sired by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.”

That legacy continued after the 2024 sale, as it was reported that the new owners also breed and race horses, and planned on keeping the property running as an equestrian estate. 

However, a recent social media post by the farm’s manager indicated there are increasing concerns for the safety of the horses.

“Hello all!” wrote Nancy Engel, who has achieved recognition for being at the forefront of equine care and sustainable farming practices. “I am so sorry for even having to put this on a public forum, but that seems to be what it’s come to.”

Engel asked those viewing the post to spread the word that Sunnyfield Farm is not open to the public.

“We understand that for many years it went without correction when people would walk through the property without permission, so some feel like they should still be allowed,” she said. “We are also aware that some may have had permission from the previous owners and may not be aware there has been a change. We regularly have people wandering the property, without permission, with their dogs, most of which are running loose. This happened twice already just today,” she said in the Aug. 30 post. “One of the dogs was chasing the horses. This cannot happen! Horses are accident prone enough without the help of dogs chasing them!”

Engel went on to say that they had to padlock the gates, but people have resorted to climbing over them. 

“We have put up no trespassing signs, we have added a keypad entry for the front gate,” she said. “I’m not sure what else we have to do to make people understand that this is private property. I’m sure nobody else would appreciate strangers wandering around their property whenever they feel like it.”

She added, “We are nice, reasonable people, but there is a limit.”

She concluded with a message to people who bring their dogs, noting, “there are also dogs that live on the property that may not appreciate your dog’s visit.” And she was apologetic, saying, “Sorry for the rant.”

Engel was reluctant to say anything more to The Recorder, explaining that while she is the farm’s manager, the owners are private people, and she didn’t believe they would want to have the story published — though she did acknowledge “it would probably go a long way to solving the problem.”