Far Hills Races facts for kids
| Grade 1 race | |
"Far Hills races"
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| Location | Far Hills, New Jersey, USA |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1875 |
| Race type | Steeplechase |
| Race information | |
| Distance | TBU |
| Surface | Grass |
| Qualification | TBU |
| Weight | TBU |
| Purse | TBU |
| Bonuses | TBU |
The Far Hills Races is a famous horse race held every year in Far Hills, New Jersey, New Jersey, USA. In a steeplechase, horses and riders jump over fences. The event in October 2021 was the 100th time the race was run. The prize money for the races can be more than $1,000,000. This makes it one of the biggest steeplechase events in the country.
Many people, sometimes as many as 75,000, come to watch the races. It's a big social event for families and friends. Visitors often set up amazing picnic areas. These can have beautiful flowers, ice sculptures, and delicious food. For many, attending the races is a long-standing family tradition.
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History of the Far Hills Races
The Far Hills Race Meeting started from an event called the Essex Hunt. This was a fox hunting event that began in Montclair, New Jersey in 1870. The Essex Fox Hounds club created an event to thank farmers. These farmers and landowners allowed the club to hunt on their land.
In 1916, the event moved to the Grant B. Schley estate. This place is now known as Moorland Farms. The races have been held there almost every year since. There was a short break during World War II.
Big Races and TV Coverage
In 2000, the Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase returned to the Far Hills Races. This race is known for having the highest prize money in American steeplechasing. USA Today has called it "steeplechasing's richest race."
The 100th running of the event was supposed to be in 2020. However, it was postponed to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Far Hills Races were shown on national television for the first time. They were broadcast on FS2 as part of America's Day at the Races. The races were also shown on national TV in 2022 and 2023.
Helping Others: Charity at the Races
The Far Hills Race has a long history of raising money for good causes. Since the 1950s, money from the races has helped the Steeplechase Cancer Center. This center is part of the Somerset Medical Center. By 2009, the races had raised over $17 million for the center.
This support has greatly helped the medical center. It has allowed them to offer excellent medical services to people in New Jersey. Many large companies also reserve special tents at the event. This helps them support the charity efforts.
In 2007, the Far Hills Race Meeting Association also helped the New York Heroes Fund. This fund was set up to help emergency workers and victims of a major event in New York City on September 11, 2001.
Race Highlights and Records
Over the years, many exciting races have happened at Far Hills. In 2000, a horse named All Gong set a course record. Its winning time was 4 minutes and 53.80 seconds in the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase.
In 2004, a horse named McDynamo won the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Steeplechase. This was his second win in a row. He had just recovered from surgery. McDynamo won again in 2007, trying for his fifth straight title. He was 10 years old then, the oldest horse competing that day.
Images for kids
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Event guests set up their picnics, prior to the 2008 race
