Far Hills Races
| Grade 1 race | |
"Far Hills races"
|
|
| Location | Far Hills, New Jersey, USA |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1875 |
| Race type | Steeplechase |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | TBU |
| Surface | Grass |
| Qualification | TBU |
| Weight | TBU |
| Purse | TBU |
| Bonuses | TBU |
The Far Hills Races is a steeplechase horserace held annually in Far Hills, New Jersey, United States. The October 2010 event was the 90th running, and race day purses can equal up to or more than $1,000,000, with six races offering the highest purses on the National Steeplechase Association circuit.
Considered one of the premier social events of the year in the tri-state area, it is attended by as many as 75,000 people annually. Family and friends create unique and often extravagant fall picnic areas, complete with beautiful floral center pieces, haybale seating, ice carvings and culinary feasts. For many visitors, the Race Meeting is a time-honored tradition and a joyous reunion of family and friends.
The Far Hills Race Meeting traces its origins to the Essex Hunt, a fox hunting event founded in Montclair, New Jersey in 1870. In the tradition of these clubs, the Essex Fox Hounds established an event to thank the farmers and landowners who allowed them to hunt on their property. In 1916, the event moved from the original club site to the Grant B. Schley estate — today known as Moorland Farms. Eventually becoming the Far Hills Race Meeting, the races have been continually run—with the exception of a short hiatus during World War II—on the same site.
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, USA Today has described the race as "steeplechasing's richest race".
Beginning with the 2013 Race Meeting event-goers are prohibited from bringing alcohol through the general admission entrances, in an attempt by the Far Hills Race Meeting Association to curb excessive-drinking problems such as those seen at the 2012 event, which saw at least 28 arrests for public urination, underage drinking and disorderly conduct.
The Far Hills Race has a long history of raising money for charitable organizations. 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 2009. The Race Meeting has profoundly impacted the medical center’s growth and ability to offer comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical services to New Jersey residents. Over 40 major corporations reserve entertainment tent spaces each year, with many more taking reserved parking tailgate spaces.
...
Wikipedia