It's Virginia Gold Cup week in Fauquier County

For horse racing fans, the first Saturday in May brings two extraordinary events: the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, and The Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadow in The Plains.

The Kentucky Derby began in 1875 and steeplechase racing in this area dates to the late 1800s when organized at Fauquier White Sulphur Springs. The Gold Cup officially dates to May 6, 1922, when it was contested at Oakwood Farm, owned by Sterling Larrabee, a master of the Warrenton Hunt and founder of Old Dominion Hounds.

Arthur White, who was later involved in the sport as a trainer, rode the 8-year-old Irish Laddie to victory that first year. There was no prize money involved at the time. The horse was owned by Katherine Elkins Hitt, the daughter of Sen. Stephen Benton Elkins the founder of Elkins, West Virginia. She and her husband, William F. “Billy” Hitt, lived in Middleburg on the property that later became the site of Notre Dame Academy, then Middleburg Academy and now Cornerstone Academy.

That first and only race was “held on a perfect spring day,” writer M. Louise Evans recalled in her 1950 book, “An Old Timer In Warrenton and Fauquier County.” It was “attended by a large crowd of more or less local sports lovers. The race was about 4 miles over a flag course and there were nine entries.”

Distinguished names in local horse sports history participated in producing the Gold Cup through the years: Richard Wallach Sr. (great-great nephew Richard Wallach of The Plains, now a Gold Cup member, plans to attend for his 58 time), Harry Groome, William Sowers, George Stone, J.A.C Mason, T. Lee Evans, Raymond Belmont and Fletcher Harper.

The Gold Cup has been at the 380-acre Great Meadow facility since 1985. The 70 acres of the race course has recently had an extensive irrigation system installed. Great Meadow oversees the conditions, upkeep and care of the race course, and both require year-round work.

The tradition of great names continues today with Will Allison, a master of the Warrenton Hunt for 25 years. Since 2000, he’s been chairman and now co-chairman with Al Griffin, who also serves as director of racing for the Virginia Gold Cup Association as well as president of the National Steeplechase Association.

“We’re excited about the success of 2023, a great comeback after COVID-19 is expected,” Griffin said. “This is the 98th running of the Virginia Gold Cup and we are closing in on our 100th anniversary. Back in 1922, it was run for a trophy and bragging rights. Today, in addition to the high honor of winning this prestigious race, there is the purse of $100,000.”

Trainer Julie Gomena of Upperville said, “You need a good jumper obviously,” for success in the four-mile race over timber. “Add to this stamina. The horse needs to have endurance, speed and be a good jumper.”

“A lot of water has gone under the bridge since that day of May, 1922 when a crowd of us went to Oakwood to see the race,” writer M. Louise Evans concluded in her book. “What began as more or less a local affair has grown into one of the large and important meets of the east, drawing not only entries from all over the country, but attendance from far and wide.”  

For 2023, more than 50,000 spectators are expected for countless tailgate luncheons and eight races, including The Gold Cup. The scene is a who’s who from the equine world, VIPs from Washington, D.C., and occasional national celebrities. And parimutuel wagering is also a draw.  

This year many spectators will gather in the 1922 Club Tent on Members Hill. With encouragement from The Virginia Gold Cup Association, Max Tufts III and other local devotees have organized the party. Tufts great-grandfather, Baldwin Day Spilman Jr., raced as an owner-rider in 1923 and 1925. And his grandparents, Sally and Maximilian Tufts Sr., were among those who helped establish Great Meadow with the late Nick Arundel.

“Admission, $250 plus $100 to park nearby at gate one, will include premium catering by Root & Stem with an open bar. Television monitors in the tent will live-stream both the Virginia Gold Cup and Kentucky Derby races,” Tufts said. “In addition, we’ll raffle a piece from the equestrian sporting life fine artist Sam Robinson. All proceeds from ticket sales directly benefit the National Steeplechase Association’s Steeplechase Fund for injured jockeys, industry employees and their families.”

The Gold Cup brings leading horses, jockeys and owners to a setting that would rival any Hollywood backdrop, with the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. And yes, it really is Virginia’s answer to the Kentucky Derby.