American steeplechasing traces its lineage to Ireland, but owes its life to nine men from New York. August Belmont, H. DeCourcy Forbes, Samuel S.Howland, James O. Green, Frederick Gebhard, A.J. Cassatt, Foxhall P. Keene, John G. Follansbee and Frederick H. Prince founded the National Steeplechase Association. The purposes of the organization, according to the original charter dated February 15, 1895, have changed little.

Those men created an association to keep records; govern, promote and hold races; advance steeplechasing throughout the United States; license individuals and race meetings. Spawned from the foxhunting field, jump racing had occurred earlier, but never under such sanction. Meets took place on Long Island and in northern New Jersey before spreading south to the Carolinas and Tennessee.

In Europe, racing started much earlier. The first recorded steeplechase occurred in 1752 in County Cork, Ireland. Cornelius O¹Callaghan and Edmund Blake engaged in a match race, covering about 4 1/2 miles from St. John¹s Church at Buttevant to St. Mary¹s Church in Doneraile. Church steeples were the most prominent, and tallest, landmarks on the landscape. Though history did not record the winner of the O¹Callaghan-Blake race, the sport took its name from this simple ³chase to the steeple.²

Cross-country match races spread to England, where the first reported race involving more than two horses occurred in 1792. Steeplechasing then migrated to established race courses.

Though pointing out the first U.S. steeplechase is a difficult assignment (reports point to an 1834 event in Washington, D.C.), several of the oldest and most prestigious races are still run. The Maryland Hunt Cup, raced over tall post-and-rail fences, was first run in 1894. The American Grand National began in 1899. The National Hunt Cup in Radnor, Pa. dates to 1909.

The above-mentioned men could never have guessed at the future of their sport. Steeplechasing occurs in 12 states as far south as Florida and as far north as upstate New York, offers more than $5 million in total purses, is seen by millions of people, includes the best horses and horsemen Thoroughbred racing has to offer, and each year raises millions of dollars for charity while being linked with some of the country¹s most influential corporate sponsors.

Steeplechasing¹s backbone from the start was a group of oneday meetings in rural communities. Gradually, the focus shifted to major tracks like New York¹s Belmont and Aqueduct, and New Jersey¹s Monmouth Park. That trend reversed itself in the 1970s and 1980s as race meetings run for charity expanded throughout the country. The 2004 schedule includes 34 race meets. Major track racing now includes stops at Atlantic City, Belmont Park, Colonial Downs, Keeneland, Philadelphia Park, Pimlico, and Saratoga.

The association today, based in Fair Hill, Md., includes 1,000 dues-paying members and licensees, a 15-member Board of Directors and a four-person staff. The racing season begins in early March and continues through November. Participants in American steeplechasing travel the circuit from pockets of steeplechase interest in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas.

How to Watch a Steeplechase Race

Watching a steeplechase race is a relatively uncomplicated undertaking.Basically, the horse who comes over the finish line first wins the race.There are many steps that must be taken, though, before the first-placed horse is feted in the winners circle. First of all the horse¹s trainer must declare that the horse is on the grounds a specified period before his race begins. The rider must report to the clerk of the scales and weigh out with the minimum prescribed weight. If the jockey and his gear do not weigh enough, lead is inserted into the saddle pad.

At the proper time the horse, jockey, and trainer must report to the paddock area or saddling enclosure. There the horse will be tacked up with a racing saddle and bridle, the proper girth straps, and a number cloth. The paddock judge will check all of this tack as well as the jockey¹s silks. Then the horses are paraded to the post and come under starter¹s orders. The starter will try to arrange a start that is fair for each horse and jockey. At the drop of the tape or flags ... THEY¹RE OFF!

During the race the horses must stay on the prescribed course and, if it is a jump race, they must jump each of the obstacles in the proper order. There must be no interference by horses or jockeys with other horses or jockeys. At the end of the race as the horses streak over the finish line the placing judges note their order of finish. At this point the riders return to the area of the judges¹ stand and signal for permission to dismount. No one can touch the rider or his tack until he has weighed in.

If no objections are lodged, if the patrol judges report that all is well, and if the jockeys weigh in with as much weight as they had when they weighed out - then the unofficial results are declared official

Please Note - NO WILL CALL
We will no longer offer will-call either at the gate or off-site. All tickets must be sold and delivered in advance of the race. Please plan ahead. We will post ticket sending deadlines.