Fair Hill

In any other year, the spring steeplechasing season would have concluded last week with the races at Fair Hill, Maryland, the latest hunt meet to draw a large and energetic crowd, there for the party as much as the races. Instead, the jump racing community is trying to figure out how it can salvage what has so far been a lost year. No slice of Thoroughbred racing has been hurt more by the coronavirus than steeplechase racing. With 14 of the 16 spring meets having been cancelled due to the...

When Sheikh Mohammed purchased Stonerside back in 2008, trainers previously employed by Bob McNair's massive operation, such as Mike Stidham, were kept on board provisionally as the acquired stable of runners transitioned to carry the famed maroon-and-white silks of Darley. "The deal was that we were able to stay in with the horses that we had at the time," said Stidham, who saddled the Stonerside-bred Tizaqueena (Tiznow) to a pair of graded tallies as well as Grade I placing at Keeneland for Darley. "And once those horses were retired, we...

Legendary Three-Day Event rider Bruce Davidson and industry veteran Francis B. 'Frank' McEntee have been appointed to the Fair Hill Board of Directors, effective Apr. 1. "I am looking forward to helping the Fair Hill Foundation as a member of its board," commented Davidson, who was named one of the 50 most influential horsemen of the 20th century by the Chronicle of the Horse. "Of all the venues I have been to, Fair Hill stands out as one of the most exceptional places to compete a horse. The footing and...

7th-Laurel, $46,000, Msw, 8-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:23.95, ft. ARRIFANA (f, 3, Curlin--Vaulcluse {SW}, by A.P. Indy) entered this unveiling with a very upbeat worktab over the Fair Hill all weather, and was backed down to 17-10 favoritism facing a field of foes who had mostly had their fair share of chances. Breaking a bit outwardly from her wide draw, the bay dropped back to sit second last while always well off the inside. She began to pick off foes into a :46.84 half, briefly seemed to idle, but found...