HR- My dad said he saw it (I was at the Elkridge races) and said that they did an interview with Matt McCarron after he won on Orison. He was very proud of himself for seeing and recognizing Matt (my dad is non-horsey, but has shipped horses for Bay to some races).
In stroke of good fortune (perhaps) this week’s guest for The Bloodhorse’s Q&A session ‘Talkin’ Horses will be NSA President Franny Abbott - the exchange takes place Thursday April 12th at 12 pm EST
Follow the link to submit a question!
Come on folks lets get some good ones in regarding the direction of the sport and better (read: more creative/more strategic) promotion of it!
Glimmer- Straight Gin finished 4th in open company at Marlborough Hunt Races this past Sunday.
[QUOTE=SteeleRdr;2354890]
Glimmer- Straight Gin finished 4th in open company at Marlborough Hunt Races this past Sunday.[/QUOTE]
Yep, The John Murray Begg Memorial race, and I did receive an email yesterday on that from Patty (thank you!)
Also provided is the excellent resource for Virginia races although for a horse like Gin, based in Virginia, you can extract his results if they occured out of state: http://www.centralentryoffice.com
Yeah, the new central entry you can get a horses past performance record for any race that goes through central entry (mostly all the MD/VA/PA point to points). It’s a very nice new feature.
Wow guys…thanks for the info. about the new central entry feature! I found all my horse’s past point-to-point results!! I only had his NSA race results from the JC. He raced against some good horses: Sam Sullivan, Young Dubliner, Welterweight, Swayo, Matchless, Florida Law and on. Now wonder he thinks so highly of himself LOL!
Feedback from today’s ‘Talkin’ Horses’ with Franny Abbott NSA President
A few marginally interesting elements
Middleburg, VA:
It’s a fairly vague question, but where and how does steeplechasing fit into major track racing? It seems like it’s lessened in recent years, why?
Abbott:
We currently race at Keeneland, Colonial Downs, Saratoga and Philadelphia Park. We are currently planning some additions to our major track program.
Los Angeles, CA:
Why isn’t there any steeplechasing out here on the West Coast? We’d sure like to have it here.
Abbott:
Right now all of the trainers are working on the east coast. Organizing a race is difficult and sites are hard to find. Getting horses to the west coast would be costly and the purses to attract horses would have to be strong. Having said that we are always looking for more opportunities. If you have any ideas give us a call. We were very close to having a major race at Hollywood Park.
Abbott:
So far I would say it has gone well. Early still and we have a lot to do. My ultimate goals are many. More support for the race meets. Increased opportunities for the horsemen. Higher purses. More races at the race tracks. Implement some type of pari-mutuel betting on steeplechasing.
For those folks who have lamented the fact that Long Island - once the major center of 'chasing the US - has none today, there may be a change on the horizon:
[Abbott]: In fact we are in discussions with a group on Long Island to have a race meet at Caumsett Park
It looks like a heavy focus on making more meets available for wagering is the plan for the sport’s future. That is not what I expected but perhaps it will pay off ultimately with more coverage and interest. One would think that because that ties into state legislative issues it would require a lot of lobbying funds and absorb a lot of resources.
As for the West Coast developing their own steeplechase league - under NSA rules and regulations - I never have understood why that hasn’t materialized. You have several high quality tracks, tons of horses, strong public interest in competitive horse sports, great weather, etc. It would seem easier to cultivate an organization from stratch vs. putting up money for a meet hoping to lure East Coast based teams.
It should makse sense to get some backing [financial or at least endorcements/promotion] for this via the NTRA with ReRun and other post-flat track racing organizations mixed with Santa Anita and others. Steeplechase should be a viable option for West Coast horses seeking a second career.
The West Coast has ZERO chasing culture, and no proper hunting to speak off (i.e where you actually jump fences, hedges, walls etc). There is nothing there that compares to what you have in VA, MD, PA etc. Also, it’s not the chasing at the big tracks in the east that keeps the scene going, the races at Saratoga (maybe 6 total), Keenland (2?), Philly Park (less than 5?) only make up a tiny number of NSA races. What is the meat and potatoes is all the Hunt meets. That’s the grassroots. You can’t create that overnight in the West.
On top of that most chasers are not trained at tracks, but on farms.
Besides, I don’t think chasing needs to get on more major tracks, I’m not sure it derives much benefit from that. It seems to get bigger crowds at places like Far Hills, Camden, The Plains or even many smaller hunt meets, than it does at Philly Park or the Meadowlands. Also, jumping on those bullrings, making 3 circuits of the course, who wants that? Hold it out in the country where it should be, up and down hills as God intended.
Now, wagering would be great if they could swing it.
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;2360874]
Besides, I don’t think chasing needs to get on more major tracks, I’m not sure it derives much benefit from that.[/QUOTE]
Agreed 100% - the sport isn’t going to suddenly benefit from being featured on Tuesdays at Gulfstream Park. Abbott in the Q&A today remarked that chasing has been shrinking at Saratoga because betters at the track in recent years don’t bet on steeplechasing. That means its costing the NYRA money to hold open slots for steeplechasing. So why do they [the NSA] think that will suddenly change? I certainly have no idea.
Regarding the West Coast I didn’t mean to project the notion of a circuit appearing overnight. Yet there is more potential out there then people give it credit. Steeplechasing can be as social and competitive as it wants to be at its roots between neighbors, stables and communities. Just as it has been cultivated for generations in MD, DE, PA, VA etc.
Polo thrives out there just fine. California as well has four recognized fox hunts by the MFHA, e.g. Santa Ynez Valley Hounds. By comparison the very horsey Connecticuit has just two. The state of Washington has the Woodbrook Hunt which has been around for 96 years. I’m not trying to compare the two regions as it will be a losing arguement.
Still if steeplechasing can find success expanding down into Georgia and Florida - two vastly different states then the Old Dominion with its link to horses - it could do well on the West Coast.
But (to continue the constructive argument, not to quibble) Georgia’s Atlanta races are elderly in comparison to Everglades. AND there is hunting (long standing tradition, actually) in both states.
They DID try a jump race at a California track some years ago (with the past 20, but not the past 10). Joe Gillet Davies had something to do with it.
It didn’t work, no better than a timber race over portable timber fences at Arlington in Chicago about 25 years ago.
Ga. and Fla. work because of the $$ and because they are an easy day’s ship from winter training quarters of SC.
Don’t get me wrong - I am one of hte sport’s biggest boosters. I’ve just seen enthusiasm quashed time after time (St. Louis, Beulah Park, Mason Dixon - those all of them in hunting country’s of varying sorts.)
[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;2361562]
Don’t get me wrong - I am one of the sport’s biggest boosters. I’ve just seen enthusiasm quashed time after time (St. Louis, Beulah Park, Mason Dixon - those all of them in hunting country’s of varying sorts.)[/QUOTE]
Which just begs the question - what will it take to press into ‘virgin’ territory successfully with the sport? Money I’m sure isn’t the sole problem. A lack of skilled riders? No places to stage chases? Lack of would-be owner support? Shortage of qualified steeplechase horses? Little spectator interest?
The Midwest - if you lump say MI, WI, IL, OH together - has plenty of hunts, show activity, wealthy patrons, select areas of rolling topography, swaths of land still open, and public spectators that do come out for eventing among other alternative equestrian sports. Again it just doesn’t seem like a quantum leap to think that a coordinated plan could take root.
In terms of portable fences and an artificial feel by having a faux steeplechsing-lite at Arlington Race Course in Chicago isn’t what I’d envision. Rather it will take a wealthy and devoted series of land holders to make it fly. Take an example from the showjumping world with the genesis and end product of Hummingbird Nest Ranch in So. California. The owners [since divorced] built a world-class facility and showjumping grounds “just because”. The mating of land preservation, equine benefit, and social cause can all work together - as it has in the MidAtlantic - to sell the sport.
Obviously as you’ve said HR it’s been tried many times before with little to show for it. I do appreciate the fact that this isn’t a new idea and people far more skilled and even enthusiastic then I have tried and failed.
Hitching the proverbial wagon to betting as a big goal for the sport in hopes to further bolster the success just seems questionable. Almost every chase is non-for-profit with strong ties to a charity or benefit. The races attract families and public spectators looking to gather over drinks and good times. Corporate sponsors participate because of the good wholesome fun. If you introduce gambling into the mix it won’t that change the level of participation by some organizations?
I wouldn’t focus a lot of efforts in that direction if I were in the head office.
The Midwest Hunt Race Association was alive and well when I was a kid, until about 15 years ago – when George Sloan was alive, middle Tennessee was actually an active training area. Once he died, though, and my mom moved to Va. (she was longtime sec’y for MHRA) and my dad got into three-day (he was longtime prez) and Kirk Griggs retired from racing (and his pop aged, and therefore, had less horses in training) it sort of died down and eventually disappeared. MHRA was who boosted St. Louis and Oxmoor and Atlanta and Iroquois and St. James (a hunt meet in Chicago) and Arlington and Mason Dixon (next door to Turfway) and major track races at Beulah (of all places) and Hardscuffle and the like. Once you removed the head (MHRA) all of the tails died for lack of nurture.
Sad, really, but life moves on.
It would take a lot, a LOT, to build racing in the midwest or west.
About 16,000 folks enjoyed the 75th running of the Strawberry Hill Races on Saturday April 14th which has since moved into Colonial Downs as the venue site. I suppose this is what Franny was talking about with moving chases to race courses.
Richmond Times Dispatch 4-13 “Strawberry Hill settles in at Colonial”
“I loved the old course, to be honest with you,” said [Doug] Fout, 49, who’s based in Middleburg. “It was a good country course and served its purpose for a lot of horses. But times change, and the race course at Colonial is quite suitable.”
The Atlanta Steeplechase was also held over the weekend as well. Atlanta Steeplechase: Gray skies, but colorful day. It looks like a fine success despite mother nature only being slightly cooperative.
Jeff Franklin, vice president of Georgia Power, who was at his second Steeplechase, said the event is a great draw from Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.
“It brings people who have never been to Northwest Georgia — it creates a positive image,” he said.
The threat of rain didn’t stop thousands from crowding the fundraising event that benefits the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation and the Coosa Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“This year’s event is fabulous,” said Joy Puckett, manager of the Friends of the Rome Library and Gift Shop who spent time reminiscing with a friend she hadn’t seen in 20 years. “I’ve gone every year it’s been in Rome, and it’s a lot better than it used to be in Atlanta — a lot more room and easier to navigate. I’m glad the rain held off — it’s such a festive event.”
Photos from the ATL Steeplechase
This weekend - April 21 - is the Middleburg Spring Races at Goodwood Park! What a venue 
Glim- I think you meant Glenwood, not Goodwood. The Goodwood festival is a car event in England.
I’ll be at Middleburg this weekend 
I’m Telling is running the maiden claiming, I’ve known him since he was born and we have his half brother at the farm
Hope to see some of you there!
Well I was actually starting to type out Glorious Goodwood (the horse track in England) as opposed to the deliriously brilliant festival of speed with that hillclimb! Nothing like a Ferrari F40LM setting a blistering pace with a skilled ex F1’er at the wheel … I digress
It should be brilliant none the less at Glenwood Park this weekend
Good luck to you SteeleRdr in having a great time for us all and watching I’m Telling. Thankfully he’s not racing in the 2nd against Straight Gin in The Middleburg Hunt Cup open timber at 3 1/4 mi 
Go Gin Go!
Keeneland - Friday Apr 20th
For those who have set up the free account on the non-betting site youbet.net today will be live steeplechasing from Keeneland:
Race 9 “Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings Hurdle Stakes” (G1) going off at approx 5:15 pm Eastern:
About 2 1/2 Miles (Hurdle) | for 4 Year Olds And Up | Purse: $150,000
PP Horse - Jockey - Trainer, Wt., Morning Line Odds
1 Good Night Shirt -Dowling W - Fisher Jack, 146 , 10-1
2 Racey Dreamer - McCarron M O - Fout P Douglas, 148 , 8-1
3 Feeling So Pretty -Walsh R - McKinney F Lee, 139 , 30-1
4 Paradise’s Boss - Aizpuru X - Fisher Jack, 148 , 6-1
5 Mixed Up - Hodsdon D - Sheppard Jonathan E, 150 , 3-1
6 Chivite (IRE) - Young P J - Miller F Bruce, 142 , 15-1
7 Mauritania - Massey R - Valentine Richard L, 146 , 10-1
8 Preemptive Strike - Miller C - Hendriks Sanna N, 152 , 4-1
9 Class Vantage - Boucher R - Boucher Lilith, 140 , 20-1
10 Party Airs - Murphy Cyril - Voss Thomas H, 146 , 10-1
11 Riddle - Petty J - Kingsley, Jr. A J, 148 , 8-1
Keeneland - Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings Hurdle stakes
Danielle Hodsdon aboard Mixed Up takes the featured race at Keeneland - but I’ll give big marks to William Dowling on Good Night Shirt for closing hard on the inside for Place. Hence the exacta paying $150
Final order of finish
1 - Mixed Up
2 - Good Night Shirt
3 - Paradise’s Boss
4 - Riddle
5 - Feeling So Pretty
6 - Chivite (IRE)
7 - Class Vantage
Ken/Sarah Ramsey’s owned Party Airs was out of it early after pulling up; Mauritania jumped the first jump so weird and was never in the race and failed to finish. Preemptive Strike was out with a spill late as was Racey Dreamer.
A shame - Brookhill Steeple Chase Cancelled (Raleigh, NC) and appears to be, for now, no more. This May’s running was to be the 15th running but due to a possible sale of the land which its held on. No idea why they couldn’t let the event still be held with it only a couple weeks out.
It’s possible the event will be held elsewhere next year, but the organizers will need to find another large property to host the steeplechase. With many farms disappearing to make way for new homes, that task may be daunting but the Jaycees seemed hopeful.
“The Raleigh Jaycees are thankful for the continued support from the [National Steeplechase Association] and the trainers, riders and owners that have been so loyal to the Brookhill Steeplechase. We’ve enjoyed the past success of the race and will be evaluating our options for the future,” said Raleigh Jaycee president, Ed Blackman in a statement on the website.
Regarding tomorrow’s (April 21) chases at Gleenwood mark the 86th running of the Middleburg Spring Races with high expectations for thrills:
The $75,000 Temple Gwathmey is a hurdle race for novices, sponsored in part by Bank of America. “The race is for the best young horses in the country, for horses who have not won a race since March 1, 2006,” Fout said, adding that the race has a special appeal to jockeys because it allows “young horses to compete in a big race alongside horses of the same kind.”
“It’s a very competitive race and a very equal race and it will be one of the best races of the day,” Fout said.
The Alfred M. Hunt Steeplechase race runs over brush and timber fences, and is designed for older horses between the ages of 8 and 10. The Middleburg Spring Races committee has dubbed the steeplechase as the “funny” race for its twisting, turning course, Fout said, and will challenge the agility of horses and riders as they hurdle over 17 obstacles, all of which have been renovated with fresh junipers, yews and arborvitae.
“The idea for the race was put together for older horses,” Fout said. “You’ll see a lot of older horses that have been around, and it gives them the opportunity to win a big race for a big pot. Because of their experience, the horse are always good jumpers and they always put on a good show.”
Also for Saturday’s action further North will be the 105th annual Grand National Steeplechase in Butler, MD along with a unique bonus. Baltimore Sun 4/20 “Bonus adds intrigue to Grand National”
The Maryland Amateur Timber Association, with a sponsorship from Union Memorial Hospital, has spiced the proceedings with a $30,000 bonus to the owner of a horse who wins both tomorrow’s Grand National and next Saturday’s Maryland Hunt Cup.
“The goal is to link the Grand National and Hunt Cup,” said Peter Fenwick, secretary to Maryland Steeplechasing.
Added to a $35,000 purse for the Grand National’s 3¼ miles and 18 jumps, the bonus is one more variable to ponder.
Alas neither the VA or MD steeplechase action will be available on tv or the internet …
Racey Dreamer
Preemptive Strike was out with a spill late as was Racey Dreamer.
Racey, who was my favorite from Dougie’s barn, besides the sweet Hirapour, broke his leg badly at the second to last jump and had to be put down. Very sad. I loved Racey. He was such a sweet horse. I know this happens, and it sucks, I just wish it hadn’t happened to such a nice horse.
