Posts by National Steeplechase Association
Virginia Gold Cup adds Grade 1 to NSA Calendar
By Tod Marks The new stake coupled with an enriched Iroquois program makes for an unprecedented cross-country racing spectacular with two meets worth nearly $1 million on successive weekends. The Virginia Gold Cup Association revealed plans for a new Grade 1 fixture to be run as part of the sensational $430,000 card at Great Meadow…
Read MoreAiken brings down curtain on NSA season
By Tod Marks on Saturday at the beautiful new venue on Richland Avenue in Aiken, S.C., with a five-race card worth $130,000. In addition, the Aiken Steeplechase Association will unveil it’s just completed three-floor tower at the finish line that offers a viewing area for owners and invited guests, a gathering place for pre-race officials…
Read MoreLightning Ridge romps in Alston Cup, but comes up short in bid for title
By Tod Marks Though most key championships were already decided, the second to last meet of the 2023 National Steeplechase Association season still packed plenty of drama, deciding the title of leading three-year-old and likely settling the jockey championship as well. In the featured $35,000 Alston Cup, one of only two stakes restricted to sophomores…
Read MoreThe jumpers head to Charleston on penultimate NSA weekend
By Tod Marks Since the Colonial Cup ended its run in 2018, the National Steeplechase Association has concluded its season with the Steeplechase of Charleston, a meet that’s played a key role in the race for leading trainer, jockey, and three-year-old. Though the schedule’s changed, and Aiken will mark the end of the calendar on…
Read MoreCool Jet, Zabeel Champion, Right Tempo, and Royal Ruse star in busy weekend
By Tod Marks After a 17-race tripleheader, Graham Watters overtook Harry Beswick in the race for leading jockey honors, while Leslie Young continued her march toward a second straight training title. At Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. Court Ruler lays down the law in $25,000 steeplethon Leipers Fork Steeplechasers’ Court Ruler ran his 2023…
Read MoreFour stakes on tap in weekend tripleheader
By Tod Marks The jumpers land in Georgia and Virginia on Saturday, and Pennsylvania on Sunday as the 2023 National Steeplechase Association season heads toward the finish line at Aiken, S.C., on Nov. 18. At the Montpelier Hunt Races, run on the front lawn of President James Madison’s historic home in Montpelier Station, Va., 43…
Read MoreSnap Decision, Schoodic star in monumental day for Fisher and Watters
By Tod Marks On a day that felt more like August at Colonial Downs in nearby New Kent, Va., rather than The Plains in late October, Bruton Street-US’ Snap Decision captured the G2 $75,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson hurdle stakes while Dolly Fisher’s Schoodic scored in the $75,000 International Gold Cup timber stakes. The day…
Read MoreMajor hurdle, timber stakes highlight eight-race Great Meadow card
By Tod Marks For the third time this fall, the jumpers return to Virginia on Saturday, where they’ll compete for $325,000 in purses at the International Gold Cup Races at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains, the second richest program on the National Steeplechase Association autumn calendar. The card consists of eight races –…
Read MoreNoah and the Ark pulls off the impossible…again
By Tod Marks Sent off at 18-1, Keystone Thoroughbreds’ Noah and the Ark led a charge over the final fence to overtake Irish invaders Seddon and Salvador Ziggy, and beat back a gallant surge by Hurricana Farm’s Merry Maker to capture America’s biggest steeplechase prize, the $250,000 American Grand National (Grade 1) at 2 5/8…
Read MoreStage is set for steeplechasing’s “Grand” day
By Tod Marks Steeplechase racing’s seminal day features an all-stakes seven-race card and $675,000 in prize money. The races will be broadcast nationally on America’s Day at the Races on Fox Sports. First race post time is 12:50 p.m. They don’t call the Far Hills Races steeplechasing’s championship day for nothing, and this year there’s…
Read More