Far Hills Races

Horseraces infobox
class = Grade 1
horse race = Far Hills Races


caption = "Far Hills races"
location = Far Hills, New Jersey, USA
inaugurated = 1875
race type = Steeplechase
website = [http://www.farhillsrace.org/index.html]
distance = TBU
track = Grass
qualification = TBU
weight = TBU
purse = TBU
bonuses = TBUThe Far Hills Races, know colloquially as "The Hunt" is a steeplechase horserace held annually in Far Hills, New Jersey, United States.

The October 2008 event will be the 88th running, and will feature six races totaling purses of $500,000, including $250,000 for the Grand National. Since the 1950s, race proceeds of those attending the event and corporate sponsors have gone to fund the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center, raising more than $17 million through 2007. [ [http://www.farhillsrace.org/about.htm About the Races] , Far Hills Race Meeting. Accessed September 3, 2008.]

Starting in 2000 the Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase returned to the Far Hills Races after a hiatus of six years. Known for the highest prize money of a steeplechase in America, the purse for the Breeders' Cup winner was as large as $300,000 in 2007 and it may draw as many as 50,000 spectators. There is no parimutuel wagering. "USA Today" has described the race as "steeplechasing's richest race". [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/breeders/2004-10-23-breeders-chase_x.htm "McDynamo wins second straight Breeders' Cup Steeplechase"] , "USA Today", October 23, 2004. Accessed September 3, 2008.]

All Gong set the course record of 4:53.80 in winning the 2000 Breeders' Cup Steeplechase. [Farrell, Mike. [http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=15582 "McDynamo wins third BC 'Chase"] , National Thoroughbred Racing Association, October 23, 2005. Accessed September 3, 2008.]

Several races are scheduled by Far Hills Race Meeting Association in late October of each year. Considered one of the premier social events of the year in the tri-state area, it is attended by as many as 20,000 people annually.

History

The Far Hills Race Meeting Association committed a portion of the proceeds from its annual day of racing in October 2007 to the New York Heroes Fund, established to benefit emergency workers and victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center. [ [http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2001/October/17/Far-Hills-meet-will-give-portion-of-proceeds-to-heroes-fund.aspx "Far Hills meet will give portion of proceeds to heroes fund"] , "Thoroughbred Times", October 17, 2001. Accessed September 3, 2008.]

The 2004 running of the Grade 1 $175,000 Breeders' Cup Steeplechase saw McDynamo, then a 7-year-old gelding cming back for his first race in 11 months after recovering from hock surgery, win the race for a second consecutive year, defeating Hirapour by 1½ lengths in a finishing time of 5:06.8. The race covered a 2⅝-mile distance and jumps over 14 fences. The crowd was estimated at 45,000.

The 2007 running saw McDynamo running for a fifth consecutive title, one of nine horses running for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Grand National, with a purse of $300,000. At the age of 10, McDynamo was the oldest of 43 horses competing at Far Hills that day. All starters in the race carried 156 pounds.Clancy, Joe. [http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=3070323 "BC Steeplechase: McDynamo in drive for five"] , "ESPN", October 20, 2007. Accessed September 3, 2008.]

External links

* [http://www.farhillsrace.org/index.html Far Hills Race Meeting Association]

References