0 OCtObeR 29 - nOvembeR 4, 2009 | Issue 18-44
very year, on the
first Saturday in
November, the
Montpelier Foun-
dation presents a
I
s
a
E
day of autumnal
equine diversion
u
that is truly one of Virginia’s fin-
est traditions, the Montpelier Hunt
Races. November 7 will mark the
l
o
Montpelier
75
th
running of the Montpelier Hunt
Races, and over 15,000 spectators
are expected to attend. Throughout
the afternoon, an impressive field of
e
|
colts, fillies, stallions, and mares will
try to keep the pace along Montpe-
G
Hunt Races
lier’s two-mile, three-furlong steeple-
chase track. And all the punters will
surely be entertained.
n
The Montpelier Hunt Races were
established in 1924 by Marion duPont
a
Scott, who lived at the estate from the
time her father purchased it around
r
1900, until her death in 1983. The an-
nual format for the Montpelier Hunt
o
Races includes seven races on the
schedule, with purses ranging up to
$40,000 for the winner. Two races are
run on the one-mile, flat dirt track,
the other five are run on a two-mile,
three-furlong steeplechase course.
Each of the five steeplechase races
have hurdles for the horses to jump
at points along the course, including
hedges, moats, and brush.
Visitors to the Montpelier Hunt
Races will spread out across the in-
field of the steeplechase track, setting
up tailgate parties, rubbing elbows,
and throwing into the tote with other
horse enthusiasts. One of the best and
most prized vantage points to watch
m
the races is along the rail, where on-
o
lookers can feel the thrill of watching
the approaching field, particularly as
.
c
r
they approach one of the many jumps
a
along the track. Forecasters turn to
a
the race day program, which provides
.
c details on each horse, jockey, and
w
owner, and each horse can be seen up
w
close between races in the paddock
area. Each jockey’s unique patterned

w
silk uniform represents their horse’s

|
owner, to help distinguish them at a
y
l
k
e
e Celebrate
distance.
The first race begins at 12:30 p.m.
and the last race will start around

W
4:30, and after each race, the victori-
t
e
t
A
s
75
th
Running
ous horse, jockey, trainer, and owner
will bask in the glory with a tradition-
al Winner’s Circle presentation at the
Race Tower, near the finish line. Gen-

e
l
by Thom CanaliChio eral admission tickets, parking passes,
A and other race day packages are avail-
e
able at the Montpelier Hunt Races’

R
R
Web site, www.montpelierraces.com.
A
A
Marion duPont Scott,
C
Equestrian Extraordinaire
The true heart and soul of the Mont-
pelier Hunt Races beats proudly in the
legacy of Marion duPont Scott. As chil-
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