Tally Ho! Radnor Hunt Benefits 'Racing For Open Space'

The Preakness wasn't the only equestrian event yesterday. In fact, for many locals, the Maryland race was just an afterthought, while the main event was the Radnor Hunt Races.

The 81st running of the Radnor Hunt Races drew the area's stylish set to show off their finery, tailgate and, occasionally, watch as thoroughbreds competed in six steeplechases over the course of the afternoon.

Held at Willistown's W. Burling Cocks Memorial Racecourse, the Radnor Hunt Races were chaired by Mrs. J. Maxwell (Betty) Moran, who also hosted the race's preview party and auction at her estate, Bryn Clovis. Moran's longstanding support for the event—31 years as chair—and devotion to thoroughbred racing and breeding has made her a legend among the horsey set. The owner of Brushwood Stable in Malvern, she has had winning horses at the Belmont Stakes, the Grand National Steeplechase and Royal Ascot.

Saturday's event benefited the Brandywine Conservancy's Racing for Open Space which helps preserve over 44,000 acres of open space in the region. The Conservancy's chairman, George A. (Frolic) Weymouth is also a fixture in coaching circles, and one of the participants in yesterday's carriage parade.

Sandwiched between a drizzly Friday and an overcast Sunday, race day was sunny and fair. Puffy clouds dotting the blue sky threw occasional shade across the thousands who otherwise relied on tents and oversized hats for coolness.

With gates that opened and closed in sync with the race schedule and revelers scattered across the Radnor Hunt grounds, the immense crowd was directed by members of the Boy Scouts Troop 78, based out of Willistown.

For many of the over 20,000—the largest attendance ever—who turned out for the Hunt, the racing and charity aspects of the day were secondary to the chance to see and be seen in their race-day finery. Floral dresses and floppy hats abounded and guests vied to outdo one another with sumptuous tailgates and elegant tent parties.

The day's participants read like a who's who of local society: Grace Kelly's nephew P. Christopher Le Vine and his wife Victoria; preview party co-chairs Gary Cox and Liz Ward; Chadds Ford philanthropists Sheila and Richard Sanford; and past-president of the Union League of Philadelphia Frank Giordano and his wife, Dottie.

Radnor Hunt was sponsored this year by BNY Mellon Wealth Management, the Bellevue, Sotheby's Exelon, Subaru, Saul Ewing and Fenceworks Co.

Riders Richard Boucher and Paddy Young were the big winners of the day, each taking first in three events. Here are full race results, via the race organizers:

The Radnor Hunt Races

2011 Results

First Race  Milfern Cup

Win    #1    Class Indian

    O - Mede Cahaba   T - Lilith Boucher    R - Richard Boucher

Place    #4    Worried Man

    O – Harold A via, Jr     T – Jack Fisher     R – Emily MacMahon

Show    #5    Perfect Edge

    O – Beverly R. Steinman     T – Doug Fout     R – Jeff Murphy

Second Race    The Vita C. Thompson Memorial

Win     #4    Ballet Boy

    O – Cashel Stables     T – Thomas H. Voss     R – Paddy Young

Place    #2    Grinding Speed

    O – Michael T. Wharton     T – Alicia Murphy     R – Jacob Roberts

Show     #7    Port Morsbey

    O – Augustine Stables     T – Jonathan Sheppard     R – Brian Crowley

Third Race     The Radnor Hunt Cup – Timber Race

Win     #1    One Wild Bird

    O -  Pink Ribbon Racing     T – Regina Welsh     R- Richard Boucher

Place    #7    Justpourit

    O – Lucy Stables     T – Richard L. Valentine       R – Brian Crowley

Show    #3    Scuba Steve

    O – Perry J. Bolton       T – Katherine N. McKenna     T – Carl Rafter

Fourth Race     The National Hunt Cup

Win    #7    Complete Zen

    O – Mede Cahaba Stable       T – Lilith Boucher      R – Richard Boucher

Place    #4    All Together

    O – Andre W Brewster & Shella    T – Jack Fisher     R – Xavier Aizpuru

Show    #6    Demonstrative

    O – Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr.     T- Richard L. Valentine     R – Robert Walsh

Fifth Race      The James M. Moran, Jr.

Win    #4    Mabou

    O – Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey     T – Thomas H. Voss     R – Paddy Young

Place    #3    Four Schools

    O – Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom, Jr.     T- Richard L. Valentine     R – Robert Walsh

Show    #1    Class Tie

    O- Mede Cahaba Stable     T – Lillith Boucher     R – Richard Boucher

Sixth Race     The Henry Collins

Win    #4    Dance Faster

    O – Debra E. Kachel     T – Ricky Hendriks     R – Paddy Young

Place      #4    Embarrassed

    O – Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr.     T – Katherine N. McKenna     R – Carl Rafter

Show    #2    Royal Theatre

    O – Irvin S. Naylor     T – William Meister    R – Ross Geraghty

*Key:  O=Owner;  T=Trainer;  R=Rider