Scenes From the Middleburg Fall Races at Glenwood Park
Virginia’s fall steeplechase season kicked off with a pair of rescheduled Point-to-Points on consecutive weekends in September. The Old Dominion Hounds was held at Ben Venue Farms September 12 followed by the Blue Rudge Hunt at Woodley Farm in Berryville September 19. Both were originally slated be held in spring.
The season continued with sanctioned jump meets in Charlottesville and Middleburg on back-to-back weekends in early October that were held without spectators. Foxfield returned to action October 4 on a beautiful fall day with seven races and $55,000 in purse monies. Their spring meet was canceled due to Covid-19. The Middleburg Fall Races were held at Glenwood Park October 10 and $115,000 in purse monies were distributed over nine races.
Virginia-bred Curve of Stones captured the featured $25,000 National Sporting Library and Museum Cup Stakes at Glenwood in thrilling fashion. The 9-year-old Arch gelding faced seven others in the 3 1/4 miles test on the timber. David Rourke’s trainee was sixth at the two-mile mark and moved to third at the final fence, trailing leading Mustic Strike by two lengths. Those two battled to the finish and Curve of Stones was a neck the best in 6:36.60. The winner is out of the El Prado mare, Exceptionally. He was bred by Audley Farm Equine, is owned by Sarah Rebecca Shepherd and was ridden by Barry Foley.
Virginia’s fall season concludes with the International Gold Cup card at Great Meadow in The Plains on Saturday October 24. Like most other equine events this year, the program will be held without spectators. Live video streaming of the races will be available at nationalsteeplechase.com.
Here ‘s a look back at Middleburg’s Fall Races courtesy of photographer Douglas Lees.
Curve of Stones captured the $25,000 National Sporting Library & Museum Cup Stakes with Barry Foley up. The 3 1/4 miles race over timber was completed in 6:36 3/5.Trainer David Bourke, with Curve of Stones, after the featured $25,000 stakes race. The winner was a neck better than runner-up Mystic Strike at the finish. #4 Lemonade Thursday leads, en route to victory in the Maiden Hurdle’s $15,000 first division. Michael Mitchell rode. Hail Michigan (#3) follows with Graham Watters up. The winner is trained by Jack Fisher.Mr. Bridger (#9) and Graham Watters went on to win the Maiden Hurdle’s second division for trainer Richard Valentine and owner Clarke Ohrstrom. Bet The Pot (Sean McDermott) was second. Mr. Bridger clears the final hurdle en route to victory in 3:57 3/5.Hurdle Handicap winner Brianbakescookies and rider Michael Mitchell tackle the last fence before making his final move .New Member and rider Teddy Davies prevailed in the Glenwood Apprentice Rider Training Flat over runner-up Investor and Colin Smith. Rider Teddy Davies after winning the Apprentice Rider Flat aboard New Member. Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle winner Another Try (#4) and rider Darren Nagle early on in the race. The Jonathan Sheppard trainee won by 4 3/4 lengths over Rambaldi. #10 Cheers To Us and McLane Hendricks clear the last fence on the way to winning the Apprentice Rider Timber. The Steeplethon field competes teo miles, five furlongs over the Alfred Hunt Course at Glenwood Park. #8 Invocation and Sean McDermott earned the winners share of a $15,000 purse in the Steeplethon. Invocation is trained by Mark Beecher. #3 Flash Jackson and Michael Mitchell were best in the $10,000 Maiden Timber. A field of 12 competed at the three mile distance.Horses just after the start of the Maiden Timber.
