'Jump' Newsletter - Edition 5 (July 29th, 2023)
'Jump' Newsletter - Edition 5 (July 29th, 2023)
'Jump' is committed to providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date news coverage of steeplechasing around the USA.
Welcome to the fifth edition of 'Jump.'
As we find ourselves in a brief respite this week due to the soaring temperatures in the south, Colonial Downs has prudently decided to cancel yesterday's card, with heat indices forecasted to rise above 105 degrees. This gives us an excellent opportunity to shift our attention to the Fall Jump meets.
The countdown is on, with just two months left until the start of the fall season. This season promises to be an enthralling spectacle, with a total of 11 meets scheduled. The races will span from the northern landscapes of Geneseo, NY, to the southern charm of Callaway, Pine Mountain, GA. The 23rd Annual Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs kicks it all off on September 30th.
As we usher in the new fall season, The Legacy Chase and USA Steeplechase have joined forces to offer an enticing giveaway. This event will see one fortunate Grand Prize winner receive a Railside Tailgating Pass, while two Runners Up will be awarded Founders Hill Parking Passes.
To join in on this exciting opportunity, head over to the Legacy Chase's Instagram or Facebook pages. With the new season fast approaching, ensure you don't miss out.
Riders up!
Steve Coxon - USASteeplechase
In Case You Missed It: This Week's Top 5 USA Jump Racing Stories
Contents
Saratoga - L'Imperator on a roll in second career
Saratoga Preview - The Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes
Feature Race Meet - The Legacy Chase - Ticket Giveaway!
Feature Race Meet - Groundbreaking held for finish line tower at Aiken Steeplechase Racecourse
Feature Race Meet - Queen's Cup founders to retire; put a plan in place to ensure event's future
L'Imperator on a roll in second career
By Tod Marks
The seven-year-old French-bred son of Holy Roman Empire went from maiden hurdle winner in May to a graduate of a non-winners of two allowance in today's featured Saratoga steeplechase.
Owned by Ed Swyer's Hudson River Farms and trained by Arch Kingsley, whose relationship with Swyer goes back to his NSA riding days, L'Imperator has made the successful transition from flat, where he was a graded stakes winner on the turf of nearly $400,000.
On Wednesday, L'Imperator, with Stephen Mulqueen aboard, was content to sit near the rear of the six-horse field alongside his Hudson River Farms' stablemate Modus Operandi (trained by Keri Brion), as Merriebelle Stable's Beat Le Bon raced loose on the lead, dominating by as much as 15 lengths.
With a little more than a quarter mile to go, L'Imperator began his advance, moving up to third, and aiming at Beat Le Bon, who continued to maintain his advantage. Turning into the stretch, L'Imperator quickly closed in on the tiring leader, drawing away by 8 3/4 lengths. Despite setting quick fractions and running so far ahead for so long, Beat Le Bon, under Graham Watters, remained 13 3/4 lengths ahead of the third-place finisher, Michael Smith's Hoffman.
Tod Marks - Official Photographer & contributing editor at National Steeplechase Association
Explore more of Tod's exceptional work by checking out his website
Entries for the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes at Saratoga on Wednesday, August 2nd.
The Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes on Wednesday showcases a diverse field with a distinct European influence, as 7 out of 8 runners were bred overseas.
This dynamic lineup features three recent hurdle winners: Awakened from Kentucky, Barbados and Merry Maker from Ireland, and the champion of the Carolina Cup, Caramelised from Great Britain.
Barbados is geared up to emulate stable star L'Imperator, who previously clinched victory in a Percy Warner Maiden Special Weight before running on the flat in the Grade 2 Belmont Cup. Trainer Arch Kingsley is banking on history repeating itself.
Making his stateside debut is Restitution, an Irish-bred, four-time European winner and progeny of the legendary Frankel. He will carry the top weight at 159lbs.
Completing the field are three European imports: Realist from Great Britain, Solomoon from Great Britain, and McTigue from Ireland. All are hopeful that their second run in the States will lead to significant improvement.
GIVEAWAY ALERT! The Legacy Chase and USA Steeplechase are partnering to give away tickets to the races at Shawan Downs on September 30th!
One Grand Prize winner will receive a Railside Tailgating Pass and Two Runners Up will each receive a Founders Hill Parking Pass
Rules for entry:
1. Follow both @thelegacychase and @USASteepleChase on Facebook or Instagram.
2. Like the post and share (1 share = 1 entry)
3. Bonus Entries will be awarded to those who also subscribe to our “Jump” Newsletters -
Hurry this giveaway ends on Friday, August 4th at 5:00pm. The winners will be randomly selected and announced on our stories!
Groundbreaking held for finish line tower at Aiken Steeplechase Racecourse
By Dede Biles dbiles@aikenstandard.com
The next phase in the development of the Aiken Steeplechase Racecourse is officially underway.
A groundbreaking ceremony, which included champagne, was held Wednesday for a finish line tower.
Other than fencing and gates, it will be the first permanent structure on the roughly 140-acre site at 2020 Richland Ave. E.
The next phase in the development of the Aiken Steeplechase Racecourse is officially underway.
A groundbreaking ceremony, which included champagne, was held Wednesday for a finish line tower.
Other than fencing and gates, it will be the first permanent structure on the roughly 140-acre site at 2020 Richland Ave. E.
The Aiken Steeplechase Association’s main events – the Aiken Spring and Fall steeplechases – have been conducted there since last year.
They previously had been held at the Aiken Horse Park Foundation’s Bruce’s Field.
“It’s a big deal,” said Steeplechase Association President Frank Mullins of the finish line tower. “This will give us, I think, an air of permanence and stability, and it’s just the beginning. There is much more to follow.”
Plans call for the finish line tower to be completed prior to this year’s Fall Steeplechase, which is scheduled for Nov. 18 and will serve as the finale for the National Steeplechase Association’s 2023 season.
A temporary finish line tower was erected prior to each day of racing at the Aiken Steeplechase Racecourse in the past.
Hughes, Beattie, O’Neal, Law & Associates of Aiken designed the three-story permanent finish line tower.
R.W. Allen Construction of Augusta is the contractor. George Galvan also will be involved in the project.
The finish line tower “will be made of timbers” and have a metal roof, Mullins said.
“We still have to work all this out, but it will house a lot of functions,” he continued.
The first floor probably will be where “jockeys can go in and be weighed after a race, and there’ll be whatever stations the National Steeplechase Association needs to put in there,” Mullins said.
Owners, trainers, jockeys, sponsors and their families will be able to view the races from the finish line tower’s second floor.
The National Steeplechase Association’s “filming and timekeeping functions” will be on the third floor, and the stewards, who make sure that the rules of racing are followed, will be stationed there, Mullins said.
When racing isn’t being conducted, the finish line tower will be available to the public for other uses.
“We will lease it out for corporate events, weddings and whatever kind of function people might want to have there,” Mullins said.
The cost to build the tower is roughly $300,000.
Mullins said the donation of “a substantial amount” from local resident J.R. Stainbrook made the project possible.
“I’ve been a horseman for most of my adult life between foxhunting, polo and racing,” Stainbrook said. “I moved here in 2017, and it was the smartest move that I ever made. Aiken has exceeded my expectations.
“This is horse heaven, so my motto is all horses, all of the time,” he added. “This is an opportunity to help the city of Aiken, which is my permanent home now. It’s the least I could do.”
Stainbrook has ownership interests in several thoroughbred racehorses, including the steeplechaser Dante’s Fire.
“I had a firm on Wall Street,” Stainbrook said. “I retired when I was 50.”
The finish line tower will be named in Stainbrook’s honor.
The Steeplechase Association plans to add many other amenities at the racecourse in the future with the help of donors like Stainbrook.
“There will be opportunities for other people to come in and invest and have their legacy tied to Aiken steeplechasing,” Mullins said. “There will be some that are much more expensive than the tower, and there will be some that are much less.”
Donors will be sought to fund the construction of permanent stabling and other facilities such as a training track and an office with space for meetings and a museum.
Queen's Cup founders to retire; put plan in place to ensure event's future
Queen's Cup founders to retire; put plan in place to ensure event's future
By Tod Marks
Bill and Carrington Price, who founded and direct the Queen's Cup Steeplechase in Mineral Springs, N.C., each April, have announced that they are ending their involvement with the event they've put on since 1995.
Here's the official announcement, along with an outline of the plan going forward to keep the National Steeplechase Association event on the spring calendar:
________________________________________________________
Founders of the Charlotte Steeplechase Foundation and the annual Queen’s Cup Steeplechase announced at a recent board meeting their intention to retire from their roles on the board of directors immediately, and from all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the organization after the transition is complete in April 2024.
Since 1995 when both were founded, Bill and Carrington Price have dedicated their lives to creating and growing a world- class sporting event, now attracting 15,000 patrons to a 300+ acre farm located just outside Charlotte in historic Mineral Springs, North Carolina. They have certainly seen their dream come to life as the event has become one of the most anticipated events in the Charlotte area.
The difficult decision to step away from the board was made easier for the Prices knowing that a well- constructed plan was in place to protect the event and preserve the love of horse racing while simultaneously benefitting a charitable organization.
Thanks to a newly formed partnership between the Charlotte Steeplechase Foundation and Charlotte based non-profit Dream On 3, the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase will for years remain a pillar of the Charlotte sports community and the National Steeplechase Association, the sanctioning body of American Jump Racing.
Carrington Price said, “having grown up in Maryland where jump racing is a long-standing spring tradition for both our families and so many others, we decided to bring that same family tradition to the Charlotte region.”’ Bill Price went on to say, “nearly thirty years later, it’s time to pass the baton to the next generation who will nurture the Queen’s Cup as we have done since our first race in 1995. We’re confident Dream On 3 will carry on the Queen’s Cup tradition and the “Thrill of the ‘Chase”.
Dream On 3 (DO3), a national non-profit founded and headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., makes sports dreams come true for local children and young adults, ages 5-21, who are living with life-altering medical conditions. Celebrating 10 years of making dreams come true this year, Dream On 3 has changed lives around the country by creating life-changing sports experiences for those when they need it most. Athletes included in their Dream experiences include Steph Curry, Tom Brady, Simone Biles, John Cena, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Judge, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and many more. Since their inception, over 200 Dreams have been realized. Dream On 3 has quickly grown across the country with new “Communities” operating in Georgia, D.C., and Denver.
"We could not be more honored or excited to become a part of this historic event. Our roots run deep in Charlotte as this is where we were founded and where our first Dreams came true. We respect the deep history and prestige of the Queen’s Cup, and we cannot wait to honor what Bill and Carrington have created. Through this partnership with the Charlotte Steeplechase Foundation, we have been able to assemble a team that is committed to protecting this important piece of our community’s culture” says Dream On 3 Co-Founder, Brandon Lindsey.
The Charlotte Steeplechase Foundation’s mission is to ensure the financial stability of the annual race meet while supporting local non-profit organizations by way of contributions from which it partners. The Foundation has gifted over one million dollars to local charities since its inception.
“While we will certainly miss Bill and Carrington’s leadership on the board, we are excited that they will now be able to experience the fullness of the event that they’ve created as loyal patrons. Our commitment is to honor their vision by protecting this very important piece of our community’s culture. We believe that a partnership with Dream On 3 provides the perfect opportunity for both organizations to fulfill their shared mission of serving this community” says Charlotte Steeplechase Foundation’s Board Chair, Brian McManus.
Queens Cup Sponsorship packages will be available beginning August 1st. For more information, please visit www.queenscup.org.
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