Above all else, the 101st Far Hills Racing Meeting was another celebration for all the participants that generated loads of smiles.
However, the October 15 card’s signature race, the $250,000 Grand National Steeplechase (NSA-G1), generated a much different emotion than the joy seen at all corners of the track. all day.
Ireland coach John “Shark” Hanlon had tears in his eyes and his emotions welled up after TJ McDonald’s Hewick Grab a stake in the prestigious bell-ring game by expanding 11 1/2 lengths.
After loudly cheering his horse’s decisive victory in America’s top mountain pass, as Hanlon enjoyed the moment, his heart filled with thoughts of Jack’s home in Ireland. De Bromhead, 13, who tragically died last month during a fall from a race organized by Hanlon.
“This is for Jack, a wonderful young man,” said Hanlon. “This is a big, emotional day. I never dreamed it could happen. It means so much to all of us.”
The Grand National is the main event of New Jersey’s huge tower-crossing carnival which, combined with some new flat bets, has brought an estimated 25-30,000 crowd to Far Hills for one race day. came out as a huge festival for fans who spent the day having fun eating, drinking and chatting with family and friends between races.
“It’s not real here,” Hanlon said. “We were very well looked after. They put on a great performance, it was something special.”
Hewick, the third European Grand National winner of the last four runs, is pretty special in himself. Although the United States’ Quick decision is a 6-5 favorite, Hewick, a 7 year old Virtual gelding, who was a 2-1 second choice in a nine field, has lived up to his reputation as a top European diving athlete. Having won overseas bets twice in 2022, Hewick ($6.20) and runner Jordan Gainford crisscrossed the Far Hills field flawlessly to cover two 5/8 mile races. in 5:11.60 on a productive court.
“I’ve never had a horse anywhere as good as this one,” said Hanlon. “For a coach like me with a small pitch, he’s brilliant.”
Noah and the Ark is a distant second, followed by Ask Paddington in field nine saw one jumper leave the field and another fell but walked away. Snap Decision was never fired and came in sixth.
The new addition of the day is the $100,000 John Forbes Memorial Stakes, a two-mile flat race on grass that pays tribute to the memory of the late coach, a respected and influential figure. big in New Jersey motorsport.
Coach Keri Brion, who won Harry E. Ellis’ jump with Ljay To start the day, submit a favorite in Three Diamonds Farm’s Cross the border one made $1.1 million, but he finished third and she entered the winner’s circle with Agitare who debuted in the United States.
5 year old son of Teofilo owned by Molly and Paul Willis, CFC Stables, Danny and Sheila Kelly, and L5 Racing, which had run marathons for coach James Bolger in Ireland before coming to Brion’s stables.
“I got him two months ago from Jim Bolger and they appreciate him very much,” said Brion, whose horse won 4 3/4 length in a time of 3:36. “I know he’s going to love the track. We go slower here and an Irish horse is used to these conditions. It’s great that they’ve got this race and it’s great that they’ve got it. It’s a good show.”
Agitare ($39) is ridden by Bernard Dalton, an uphill cyclist who regularly rides at 140 pounds or more and that can play a big part in the outcome of a race that both The 14 starters all carried at least 140 pounds.
After monitoring pacesetting Basso for most of the race, in the long haul Agitare, who weighed 144 pounds, overtook tired Basso, who was carrying 140 pounds including jockey Nik Juarez, who rode the flat road with his weight. less than 120 pounds. As a result there was a significant difference in the volume of lead carried by the victorious Agitare and Basso, who came in second.
“All that weight is plenty to carry in two miles with a smaller bike,” says Brion. “A race like this, given the distance and weight, is better suited for a downhill runner.”
Another difference between John Forbes and downhill races is that riders in flat races can use their mounts in accordance with Integrity and Safety Authority rules to limit races. strike. Since HISA does not currently have jurisdiction over tower racing, in jumper races, horse racers are subject to regulations prior to HISA New Jersey that allowed chariot racers to use only their own crops. them as a safety measure.
It was a rewarding afternoon for the riders with $625,000 in their wallets over seven races, but the day, like a typical bell tower meet, involved more than what happened. on the productive turf.
It’s an all-day party with an army of devoted fans, who year after year go to Far Hills to meet up with large groups of friends with the common goal of eating, drinking, and having fun while Gather the best athletes to jump over the bell tower. course around them.
“It’s kind of like a Breeders’ Cup day, except with a nicer setting,” said Richard Migliore, an analyst for “America Day at the Races” on FOX Sports that aired races in Far Hills. much. “The atmosphere is like electricity as if you were walking in Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day. I feel honored to be here. Everyone is very enthusiastic about it. There is a lot of partying. “
In a way, the day-long Far Hills Racing Meeting has traces of Racecourse Saratoga. Up close to the course, you’ll see residents waving their cars onto their lawns for a $20 parking fee, just like they do at the Spa.
Like Saratoga, fans also arrive early in the morning to secure their spot for the day or begin the meticulous work of assembling some high-end picnic gear and tuning.
While the scene in Saratoga’s backyard often mirrors a family barbecue — no oven — in Far Hills you’ll find performances that are complex and fun to an extraordinary degree that makes the scene in The parking lot of an NFL or college football game gets embarrassing. With no stands, the grounds are packed with people lining up from their cars or bringing in foldable tables and chairs to relax and eat.
For fans like Mike Rubin, of Califon, NJ, race afternoons at Far Hills are on the calendar each year, and his lavish race plans are months in advance.
“We love it. We’ll never miss it. We’ll cancel any events scheduled here,” said Rubin. “It’s the day we look forward to every year. This is our 30th year here. Even if they don’t have an event (in 2020) due to COVID, we’ve had a day at our house. So we’ve never missed a year.”
Mike Rubin’s backdoor in Fair Hills
With 32 family and friends joining him on race day, Rubin had two race-side parking spots for the day. One is for a lavish array of adult food and beverages, including Moroccan salmon, filet mignon, shrimp cocktail and Mandarin salad.
For National Slope Racing Association president Al Griffin, the stream of people enjoying a day in very pleasant fall weather underscored the growing popularity of tower racing on several levels. .
“I think we’ve found a growing niche. One thing that’s been noticeable over the last two years is that a lot of new fans and condo owners have embraced tower racing. The number of horses. and the number of owners has increased, our race to meet has been sold out. The crowds have returned,” said Griffin. “This is our biggest day yet but the scene is mirrored at 32 uphill racing locations up and down the East Coast with crowds enjoying the day. The best part is what these offer. benefits to charities with the proceeds going somewhere useful. There’s a great charity model and community engagement.”
No doubt, local Far Hills charities that have raked in $20 million in profits during the previous 100 meetings will see an increase in that impressive number after the event. stuck on Saturday.
Guy Torsilieri, president of Far Hill Race Meeting for about 25 years, said: “This is amazing, bringing it all together. “The money we raise for charity, the big tower races, the flat race we’ve added. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
