Curve of Stones and Barry Foley, racing in the back of the pack, jump a timber fence midway through the International Gold Cup timber stakes. TOD MARKS PHOTO

Saturday’s 10-race card at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains, Va., had it all: Blow-out wins, white-knuckle finishes, and outstanding rides by apprentice riders. And of all the highlights, none shone brighter than Curve of Stones’ victory in the $25,000 International Gold Cup, his second timber-stakes score in two weeks. Racing sixth and last

Curve of Stones, jockey Barry Foley and trainer David Bourke in the paddock at the Virginia Fall Races.

Despite the challenges imposed by Covid-19, the organizers of Saturday’s International Gold Cup meet have managed to put together an expansive and eclectic card that offers something for just about everyone. The only thing missing are the fans — the 35,000 or so who typically congregate at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains, Va.,

Officer Sydney and McLane Hendriks near the wire in the Louis "Paddy" Neilson III timber race.

Showing no signs of rust despite a long layoff, former hurdle competitor Officer Sydney glided to a three-length victory in the inaugural running of the $7,500 Louis “Paddy” Neilson III apprentice timber race at Willowdale over Sherry Fenwick’s As You Like It.  Making his first start over timber — and facing the starter for the

Paddy Neilson, daughter, Kathy, and grandson Max McKenna at the 2015 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races. TOD MARKS PHOTO

Covid-19 may have taken the wind out of the sails of the 2020 National Steeplechase Association calendar, but this year of unique challenges has also brought out the best in the tight-knit community. During the abbreviated spring campaign, which resulted in the cancellation of all but two meets, generous benefactors stepped forward to donate purse

Irv Naylor's Super Saturday flies high in the 2019 National Sporting Gallery and Museum Cup at Glenwood Park.

Nine races with purses totaling $115,000 are up for grabs at Saturday’s Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park in Middleburg, as the National Steeplechase Association (NSA) returns to the Old Dominion for the second straight week. Because of ongoing Covid-19 protocols, the event will be run without spectators, but you can still enjoy the races

The great McDynamo and Brianne Slater at Foxfield Fall in 2004.

The jumpers head to Charlottesville, Va., on Sunday for the Foxfield Races, the first of three fall National Steeplechase Association meets to be run in Virginia in October.  The card, consisting of seven races —  five over hurdles and two on the flat — carries purses totaling $55,000. The meet will be live streamed via