Scenes From The International Gold Cup Races at Great Meadow Oct. 23
The International Gold Cup Races took place at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia on Saturday October 23rd with 8 steeplechase events, $305,000 in purse monies on the line, a Covid-reduced crowd of 4,000 people lined along the rail in tailgates, and on-site betting available once again!
Co-featured stakes were the $75,000 International Gold Cup and $75,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial (Gr. 2). A mix of clouds, sun and the hint of leaf color changes made for a perfect fall afternoon.
Below are some pictures from the event. A race recap article will appear at vabred.org and virginiahorseracing.com. Virginia’s fall steeplechase season wraps up November 6th with the Montpelier Hunt Races in Montpelier Station.
On-site betting availability was a welcome sign for fans attending the 2021 fall Gold Cup. Rider Thomas Garner leads eventual winner State Of Affair over a fence in the day’s first race — a $25,000 maiden hurdle.Fans were able to bet with tellers or at self bet terminals at “The Well” on Members Hill. An assortment of hardware awaited the Gold Cup race day winners. Zeke Ferguson stakes wining rider Gerald Galligan is all smiles after winning with Irvin Naylor’s Bedrock. Media members take pictures of the winning connections in the Steeplethon — trainer Leslie Young and owner Silverton Hill, LLC. International Gold Cup winner Tomgarrow tackles a timber fence in the 3 1/2 mile marathon race that finished in 7:34 1/5. Jubilant rider Thomas Garner on the way back to the winners circle with Gold Cup victor, Irish-bred Tomgarrow.Horse owners and connections fill the stewards tower at the finish line each race to get the best vantage point. A mix of sun and clouds made for a great fall afternoon, with white tailgating tents set up around the course’s perimeter. In a return to somewhat normal circumstances with fans on hand, the annual fancy hat contest was held for the first time since 2019. Rider Teddy Davies gets showered by fellow jocks after winning his first career race with Contented in the Ratings Handicap Hurdle (Douglas Lees photo). Connections of Gold Cup winning Tomgarrow celebrate on stage after the big race.Checking out the final race action from the steward’s tower. Thomas Garner and Steeplethon winner Bodes Well return to the winners circle. One of many fancy hats that were visible at Great Meadow.
