The Twentieth running of the Charleston Cup is scheduled to take
place at The Plantation at Stono Ferry on Sunday, November 10, 2013. Sanctioned
by The National Steeplechase Association, the Cup has become one of the premier
sporting events in the Carolina Lowcountry, offering spectators the opportunity
to experience live horse racing at its finest.
Started by the South Carolina Jockey Club in 1986, the Charleston
Cup is much more than just a horse race. The Cup is the social event of the
season – and definitely not to be missed! You don’t have to be a “horse person”
to enjoy all the Charleston Cup has to offer. The race weekend kicks off on
Friday with the elegant black-tie Race Ball. Live music, fabulous food and a
special race preview combine to make this gala party an essential element in
the total Cup experience.
Sunday morning, the real excitement begins as the nation’s top
riders, trainers, and owners prepare to compete for purses totaling $50,000.
Over 16,000 spectators will enjoy a full day at the races with exciting
steeplechase and flat races. The gates open at 9:00 a.m., and attendees arrive
early with their picnic baskets packed with everything from champagne and
caviar to fried chicken and cold beer. A vendor village and tailgating are in
full swing by the time the paddock call rolls around at 12:00 noon.
A steeplechase race differs from a flat race in many ways. Flat
racing is exciting in that it has a great deal of speed while a steeplechase
takes that speed and combines it with the danger of jumping. The thoroughbreds
that run in steeplechase races are three years of age or older and have been
trained specifically for ‘chasing.’ Additionally, the jockeys are typically
larger than ones that would participate in a flat race. The extra height is necessary
in order to have a better hold on the horse while soaring over the jumps.
Whether you are entertaining clients in a private corporate tent,
relaxing with friends in a reserved parking space, or just spreading a blanket
out for a picnic with a view, the Charleston Cup will provide one and all with
the ingredients for a fun-filled weekend.
South Carolina Jockey Club
5304 Stono Ferry Course
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 766-6202
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