The Maryland Hunt Cup is a Timber race, which is an American Steeplechase. It was first run on May 26[1] 1894[2] and won by Johnny Miller. Eight horses have won the race three times but no horse has won it four times.[3] It is considered one of the most difficult steeplechase races in the world.[4] Fred Winter, a famous English horse trainer who attended Jay Trump's 1966 race, was asked about bringing a horse over for the Maryland Hunt Cup, he responded "Why I wouldn't dare!"[5] Two undefeated winners, Jay Trump (1963, 1964 and 1966) and Ben Nevis II (1977, 1978), went on to win the Grand National in England. Both horses are in the Hall of Fame.
The Maryland Hunt Cup is four miles long with 22 timber fences. Its permanent home is in Worthington Valley, Maryland.[6] The 2013 edition of the race was the 117th running of the Maryland Hunt Cup.[7] The race has been run each year since 1894, except for three years during the Second World War, 1943 – 1945, and 2020, when the race was not held because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 127th running of the race took place on Saturday, April 27, 2024. It is now held on the last Saturday of April.[8]
- ^ 100 Runnings of the Maryland Hunt Cup (Margaret Worrall, 1997)
- ^ "100 Years of The Maryland Hunt Cup" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Maryland Hunt Cup winners"
- ^ "Sport: Maryland Hunt Cup"
- ^ Steeplechasing in America (National Steeplechase Association, 1966)
- ^ "Maryland Hunt Cup History"
- ^ "Your Photos: Twill Do Wins 2nd Hunt Cup"
- ^ "Maryland Hunt Cup FAQ"