National Steeplechase Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

New York Turf Writers Cup Renamed In Honor Of Hall Of Famer Jonathan Sheppard

The New York Racing Association, Inc. [NYRA] announced today the renaming of the New York Turf Writers Cup steeplechase stakes in honor of Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard.

The Grade 1, $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard for 4-year-olds and up going 2 3/8 miles is slated for Thursday, Aug. 19 during the summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course. What was known previously as the New York Turf Writers Cup is one of two Grade 1 steeplechase races on the Saratoga docket, along with the $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial set for Thursday, July 22.

“It seems fitting that one of the premier steeplechase stakes in the country is going to be named in honor of Jonathan Sheppard,” said Bill Gallo, Director of Racing for the National Steeplechase Association. “He has been the dominant force in American steeplechase racing for decades and has always represented the sport in a positive way, particularly at Saratoga, where his success has gained national attention. We thank NYRA and the New York Turf Writers for honoring Jonathan in this fashion.”

The 80-year-old Sheppard announced his retirement from American racing in early January. He capped an incredible 56-year racing career in which he was the leading National Steeplechase Association trainer 26 times, campaigning 15 Eclipse award winners over hurdles and flat ground.

Sheppard made an indelible mark on New York racing, winning at least one race at Saratoga for 47 consecutive years from 1969-2015. He was also the leading Saratoga trainer in 1984 and 1985. Fittingly, Sheppard earned a reputation for dominating the New York Turf Writers Cup, figuratively stamping his name on a race he won 15 times before the announcement that his name will literally be synonymous with the contest.

“Jonathan Sheppard's long and storied career, in particular his accomplishments at Saratoga Race Course, will be remembered for years to come,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “His decades of commitment and success within the sport make this a well-deserved honor. It's only fitting that he is celebrated with a stakes race at the Spa in light of his unprecedented streak of 47 years with at least one winner at Saratoga.”

The Ashwell, England native is the winningest trainer in U.S. jump racing-history and is one of only two trainers to win championships with both flat and jump horses. Equibase credits him with a career ledger of 3,426 wins with 3,099 runner-up efforts and 2,975 third-place finishes in 20,997 starts with earnings of more than $88 million.

Sheppard, an 11-time Colonial Cup winner, trained 15 Eclipse Award champions: Athenian Idol (1973); Cafe Prince (1977-78): Martie's Anger (1979); Flatterer (1983-86); Jimmy Lorenzo (1988); Highland Bud (1989); Forever Together (2008); Informed Decision (2009); Mixed Up (2009); Divine Fortune (2013); and Winston C (2019).

In flat races, Sheppard produced impressive winners as well, with Informed Decision winning the 2009 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and Forever Together capturing the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf the year prior.

A 1990 Hall of Fame inductee, Sheppard continued building on a historic legacy for the next three decades. In his final year of training in 2020, Sheppard finished atop the NSA trainer standings, besting runner-up Jack Fisher, who had been the leading trainer nine years running.

Sheppard last won the New York Turf Writers Cup with Winston C in 2019.

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Three Added to NSA Board

Leslie White Carpenter, Jill Abbott and Molly Oakman have been added to the board of directors of the National Steeplechase Association.

Carpenter, race director for the Willowdale Steeplechase in Kennett Square, Pa., for the past eight years and the former director of the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup in Unionville for two, brings a background in development, public relations, and corporate marketing along with a lifelong love of horse sports to the 15-member board. During her leadership tenure at Willowdale, the meet has tripled in attendance, sponsorship, revenue, and reserves.

A longtime major-event planner at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Abbott has been race director at the 1,000-acre preserve's largest fundraiser, the Winterthur Point to Point, for 15 years.

Oakman, director of equestrian operations at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Columbus, N.C., has served as executive director of the Tryon Block House steeplechase since 2017.

All three new board members will begin their official duties this week at the NSA's annual Race Chairman's Committee meeting Thursday, and the NSA's annual meeting Friday.

The post Three Added to NSA Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Quartet Of Steeplechase Events To Be Streamed Live For Free This Fall

With COVID-19 eliminating, or severely limiting, live spectators at fall steeplechase races from Pennsylvania to Georgia, race organizers were struggling with decisions on whether or not to continue with their race plans. Since the pandemic, and with events not allowed to have spectators in much of the U.S., there has been a large decrease in equestrian events. Many of those employed in the industry face potential unemployment and financial hardship. Additionally, many non-profits usually receive funding and increased awareness through relationships with steeplechase race meets.

In an effort to help alleviate the hardship on the industry and their partners, the National Steeplechase Association has stepped up and is livestreaming several fall race meets. These efforts by NSA allow the horses to race, while spectators enjoy the sport from their homes, and associated non-profits – including land conservation organizations, community hospitals and food banks— continue to have a spotlight on their great work. Over the past years, steeplechase events have contributed millions to community nonprofits.

“We wanted to provide a venue for the steeplechase/racing industry to be able to get horses out and receive some financial support in the form of purse money while continuing to create exposure for non-profit beneficiaries,” explained Dr. William Allison, co-chairman of the Virginia Gold Cup Association, the organization that oversees the Virginia Gold Cup and the International Gold Cup. “Thanks to the NSA, horsemen have been able to continue training their equine athletes and fans can still enjoy the racing through Live Stream viewing.”

Race fans and equestrian enthusiasts can easily “Jump into Fall!” and view the Live Stream at http://nsa.network.video/ on the following dates:

Saturday, Oct. 24 – International Gold Cup; The Plains, Virginia
Sunday, Nov. 1 – Pennsylvania Hunt Cup; Unionville, Pennsylvania
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Steeplechase at Callaway; Pine Mountain, Georgia
Sunday, Nov. 15 – Steeplechase of Charleston; Hollywood, South Carolina

Race day start times generally kick off at 12:30 pm; final start times will be posted on the NSA website 48 hours before each race meet. Expert commentary will be provided by industry insiders Megan Connolly and Joe Clancy, with guest appearances from other sporting notables.

Unlike flat track racing, steeplechase racing provides the thrills and excitement of Thoroughbred horses racing over fences. By most accounts, the first steeplechase race was held in 1752 in Ireland. Today's sport is a true celebration of the long and close relationship between man and the horse. Riders depend on the athleticism, strength, speed and sure-footedness of their horses to carry them safely over varied fences.

“While COVID restrictions have made race meets challenging this year, we hope to be able to bring in new spectators who may want to see and learn about steeplechase racing,” said Al Griffin, president of the NSA. “It's an exciting sport that relies on a partnership between riders and horses—not something you see with other sports. The live stream provides an opportunity for the public to see what it's all about, free of charge.”

This year, the Live Stream will capture that excitement as well as gorgeous fall scenery in some of the country's most beautiful equestrian regions. The complimentary Live Stream productions have been sponsored by Brown Advisory, Charleston's The Post & Courier, Bruton Street-US and the Virginia Equine Alliance.

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Big Fields For Virginia Fall Races

A total of 94 horses have been entered for the nine races that comprise Saturday’s Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park in Middleburg. Owing to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no fans in attendance, but a live stream may be accessed here. The live stream is sponsored by Brown Advisory, Charleston’s The Post and Courier, Bruton Street-US, and the Virginia Equine Alliance.

With purse money totaling $115,000, the program is anchored by the fourth race on the program, the National Sporting Library and Museum Cup which will be run as a timber race and therefore sees its purse bumped from $15,000 to $25,000. The card also includes three maiden hurdles, a handicap for horses rated 115 and lower, a timber maiden, steeplethon over natural brush and timber fences and a timber race and training-flat contest, each restricted to apprentice jockeys.

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