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Sports

Photos: Steeplechasing at Radnor Hunt Draws Thousands Of Spectators

$180,000 in prize money attracted a large field of competitors.

Thousands of people were on hand for the Radnor Hunt Races in Willistown on Saturday in near-perfect spring weather. Steeplechase horse racing is about a dramatic as horse racing can be. Riders and mounts not only have to race but also have to jump a series of obstacles on the course. It is not a sport for the timid jockey or horse. Riders can fall form their mounts and horse can fall, too.

The first race of the day saw three riders dislodged from their horses and one horse, Out of the Ghetto, so severely injured that it had to be put down at the track. In steeplechase racing, such unfortunate events do not stop races. All six of the races went off as scheduled as the contestants vied for the $180,000 in prize money.

The big winner of the day was Ballet Boy, according to the National Steeplechase Association, which posted full race results (PDF):

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Cashel Stud’s Ballet Boy, returning to the races after a more than 10-month absence, surged powerfully over the final fences and turned back a game Gustavian to win the $50,000 National Hunt Cup, the hurdle feature race of the 82nd annual Radnor Hunt Races

The beneficiary of the Radnor Hunt Races is the The Brandywine Conservancy’s Environmental Management Center, which works to conserve the natural resources of the Brandywine River watershed. celebrates its 82nd anniversary this year as a prominent venue for equestrian events, and 70 horses were listed to run, although some scratched before race time.

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The grounds of Radnor Hunt were filled all along the track with spectators who brought a new dimension to the word "tailgating." Food and drink were in abundance and spectators in their race day clothes created a special look to the event. The attached photo gallery provides a look at the event, the people and the races.  

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