And We’re Off!

With all memories of winter banished and the landscape evolving from early spring’s trudging brown to a lush, bright emerald green, it can only mean one thing. Steeplechase season has arrived! So grab your hats and florals, your best loafers or Wellies, and a jaunty pocket square. It’s time to go to the races.

Over the course of a century, the Brandywine Valley has become the embodiment of its English ancestors’ equestrian traditions, reenacted on the gently rolling hills of the mid-Atlantic. The season kicks off with the Willowdale Steeplechase on May 9, followed by the Radnor Hunt Races on May 16, and the return of the Fair Hill Turf Showcase to Elkton, Maryland, on May 24 and 25. (Note: Winterthur is pausing its annual Point-to-Point race this year — usually the first local race in May — as they celebrate their 75th anniversary. Read about Winterthur’s anniversary events in this issue.)

If this is your first encounter with the splendor and spectacle of these elite equestrian events, prepare for top-tier tailgates, fun fashion and impressive athletic feats by both horses and riders. Be ready to cheer until you’re hoarse, mingle while the competition resets, and raise a toast to the winners, all while standing in awe of your surroundings, the history and the horses. Just be prepared to dust off a little mud or grass here and there.

The Bold and the Beautiful

Unlike the smooth-sailing ovals of the flat tracks at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, a steeplechase is a race intermittently interrupted by fences, hills and other obstacles. These thrilling long-distance races feature experienced jockeys guiding thoroughbred horses through obstacle-laden courses typically between 2 and 4.5 miles long, with fences at least 4.5 feet high. While today the obstacles are staged, the race name comes from its origin in Ireland, where eager young riders would race from church steeple to church steeple — gullies, puddles and private fences be damned.

Steeplechase’s British Isles origins were brought stateside more than a century ago by the fashionable families of the day, including the du Ponts, who are credited with starting the Fair Hill Races. Along with using fence-studded racetracks, the American founders also sought to recreate the splendor of the events themselves, complete with elaborate tailgates and signature fashions. It’s typical to see prizes also awarded for best dressed and best tailgate, along with the trophies to race winners.

Race-day fashion can vary with the weather, but tweeds, vibrant colors and floral prints are always in vogue, as are any and all nods to the beasts of the day — horse-print everything. But, remember no race-day outfit is complete without a show-stopping topper. Straw or silk, wide-brimmed or tiny fascinator, delicate or bold, feather or flower-adorned — no option is out of style. In short, the idea “more is more” is embraced.

This style guide also applies to the elaborate tailgating displays, with their dainty tea sandwiches, signature drinks, sterling silver and often a full bar service.

You’re now ready to plan your race card for the season.

33rd Willowdale Steeplechase

Photos: Tisa Della-Volpe

This season starts on the Saturday before Mother’s Day with the 33rd annual Willowdale Steeplechase. Located on a former dairy farm just outside Kennett Square, the Willowdale track provides exceptional viewing opportunities, with 80% to 95% of the action visible from any vantage point.

The day features six thrilling National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned races over two courses. The hurdle race uses a series of natural hedges, while the timber course requires jockeys to guide their steeds over a combination of post-and-rail fences, open ditches and an iconic water jump — the signature Willowdale Water Jump.

The day begins with the popular Jack Russell Terrier Races at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Pony Races at 11:30 a.m. Horse races don’t begin until the afternoon, leaving guests plenty of time to set up their tailgates, shop the Vendor Village, peruse the classic car show, or simply grab a drink and soak in the fashions and the countryside.

In addition to race medals, Willowdale offers prizes for best dressed, best hat and best tailgate. This year, the tailgate theme is “Groovy at the Gallops — Boho at Willowdale.” Not feeling the urge to shop and plan an elaborate tailgate? Don’t worry, plenty of local food and drink vendors will be on site.

Want it even easier? Willowdale is bringing back its Turf Club, a VIP experience introduced last year. With Turf Club access, you’ll get a premier view of the track plus be treated to a fully catered tailgate experience. Tailgating at its finest — no setup or cleanup required. Details on the website.

Despite the pomp and pageantry, at its heart, Willowdale Steeplechase is about the community. Funds raised by the races go to support the Stroud Water Research Center and the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine – The New Bolton Center.

IF YOU GO: Saturday, May 9. 101 E. Street Rd., Kennett Square. Rain or shine. 610- 444-1582; Willowdale.org

TIP: Can’t wait for the fun to start? Experience Willowdale in White on Thursday, May 7, 7 to 10 p.m. Willowdale.org for details.

95th Radnor Hunt Races

Photos: Bob Plant

It is green as far as the eye can see, as steeplechase season continues with the historic Radnor Hunt Races. Dating back nearly a century, the Radnor Hunt Races are one of the oldest steeplechase races in the area. The first races were held in 1928 at Chesterbrook, the former estate of railroad magnate A.J. Cassatt.

Today, the event is held at the idyllic W. Burling Cocks Memorial Racecourse at Radnor Hunt in Malvern. Things kick off in the morning with pony races at 11 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. and the Katherine W. Illoway Invitational Sidesaddle Race at 1 p.m.

The Radnor Races feature four sanctioned events, which vary by length, track type and number of jumps. The brush course uses jumps made with synthetic “brush” to resemble hedges, while on the timber course, horses clear a wooden fence. The first sanctioned race is the Milfern Cup, a two-mile gallop over natural fences. The National Hunt Cup, the day’s most prestigious race, takes place at 2:30 p.m.

In addition to the horse and pony races, come for a lively picnic tailgate competition — the theme is “Party Like It’s 1776” — that lasts until 2 p.m., a carriage parade and the crowd favorite, the running of the foxhounds. Fashion at the Radnor Races tends to vary by location, with those closest to the clubhouse taking a more formal approach than those farther away in the fields.

The most traditional way to take in the day’s action is to reserve room in the box seats on the hillside. Another option is Skip’s Fox’s Den, Radnor’s VIP experience, which elevates the experience with a catered spread, open bar and private restrooms. But, if you prefer the action up close and personal, the East Infield Rail offers a great view of the races, or get closer to the finish line at the Upper North Infield Rail spots.

For the past 45 years, the Brandywine Conservancy has served as the sole operator and beneficiary of the races. They announced they’re vacating that role after this season. While this may be the last year of the partnership, the legacy of “Racing for Open Space” is sure to be remembered.

IF YOU GO: Saturday, May 16. 826 Providence Rd., Malvern. Rain or shine. Purchase tickets by May 6 (not available race day). 610-388-8383; RadnorHuntRaces.org

TIP: To avoid parking or naming a designated driver, rideshare is available through Gates 1 or 5. Purchase rideshare pass through the website or at 610-388-8383.

Fair Hill Turf Showcase

Horse racing returns to the historic and scenic Fair Hill racetrack in Elkton, Maryland. Last fall marked the first races after a five-year break that began with the 2020 pandemic closures and continued to modernize its infrastructure, including improved irrigation, a new Kentucky bluegrass turf course and a state-of-the-art eventing center.

After allowing plenty of time for the grass to grow in properly, the track is now open for the Fair Hill Turf Showcase on Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25 during Memorial Day weekend. Flat racing on the turf course is planned for Sunday followed by steeplechase racing and events on Memorial Day.

Fair Hill held its first racing event in 1934 with the Foxcatcher National Cup over fences. For nearly 90 years, Fair Hill hosted live steeplechase racing on Memorial Day weekend. And it’s back!

So, pack up your bottle of Pimm’s, secure your fascinator and get ready for the pounding hooves on that fresh turf as you share the thrill of the jumps and an experience like no other.

This marks a perfect finale with a mixture of hurdle, timber and flat races to close out the spring racing season on Memorial Day weekend.

IF YOU GO: Ticketing, hospitality information and schedule will be announced soon. LaurelPark.com/FHTS

TIP: Parimutuel wagering will be available onsite and nationwide through Advance-Deposit Wagering (ADW) accounts under the “Laurel at Fair Hill” name.

View steeplechase schedules here.