Gus Dahl went to the winner’s circle Saturday wearing a mudpack and a sunny smile after Irv Naylor’s Ebanour charged relentlessly through Great Meadow Race Course’s stretch to win the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup for a second straight year.

Last of six in the early going, Ebanour closed past Bruton Street-US’s Lemony Bay to secure the victory by 1 1/2 lengths. Holston Hall’s Hot Rize, the 2013 Virginia Gold Cup winner, ran a strong race to be third, another three-quarters of a length back.

Irv Naylor’s Ebanour won the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup Saturday on a wet afternoon. Photo by Todd Marks.

Trained by Cyril Murphy, Ebanour ran the Gold Cup’s four miles in 9:49 flat on a course rated as soft after day-long rain on Friday and showers on race day. Both Ebanour and Dahl picked up a coating of mud as they dashed to victory.

Donald Reuwer’s Grand Manan, the 2016 International Gold Cup winner on the Great Meadow course, took his accustomed position on the lead and set a steady pace under Darren Nagle. Grandly bred Grand Manan was accompanied in the early going by 2014 Maryland Hunt Cup winner Raven’s Choice, who was jumping well, and Lemony Bay, ridden by Sean McDermott.

Raven’s Choice began to drop back with more than a mile remaining, and Grand Manan surrendered the lead to Lemony Bay before the final fences. Dahl put Ebanour in high gear over the last two fences, and their charge carried them to the lead after the last fence.

Ebanour is shown winning the 2016 Virginia Gold Cup, Photo by Tod Marks Photography.

Naylor and Murphy were going for a double double with Ebanour and Charminster, winner of last year’s $75,000 David Semmes Memorial (Gr. 2), the afternoon’s featured hurdle race. After the last fence, Charminster looked to be moving toward his second straight victory. But Edith Dixon’s homebred Schoodic uncorked a powerful move in the stretch and drew away late to a two-length victory under Paddy Young.

Trained by Jack Fisher, Schoodic is both strong and strong-willed, and he required two handlers in the spacious Great Meadow paddock. But he settled nicely for the five-time champion jockey after the start and took a forward position as Rosbrian Farm’s Simenon set a solid pace under Ross Geraghty.
Simenon handed the lead to Charminster and Jack Doyle at the last, but Young had Schoodic in high gear over the fence, and they surged to the lead on the inside of the course. Schoodic ran the 2 1/8 miles in 3:47.80.

Simenon ran on to finish third, another three lengths farther back, in an encouraging effort.

Story courtesy of Don Clippinger.

The following piece appeared on the National Steeplechase Association’s website and was written by Don Clippinger.

Irv Naylor’s Ebanour will defend his 2016 victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup against an elite field that includes an International Gold Cup victor and a Maryland Hunt Cup winner.

The four-mile timber classic is the signature race of the 92nd annual Virginia Gold Cup meet, which offers purses totaling $425,000 and annually attracts one of the largest crowds for American Steeplechase racing. First post time is 12:30 p.m. at Great Meadows Race Course in The Plains.

Trained by Cyril Murphy, Ebanour dominated last year’s Gold Cup, taking the lead before the last fence and drawing away easily to a 6 1/2-length victory. He previously had won the My Lady’s Manor by the same margin.

Ebanour, winner of the 2016 Virginia Gold Cup, goes for two straight in the May 6th race at Great Meadow. Photo by Tod Marks Photography.

His path to the year’s timber champion was derailed when he fell in the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup, but he came back to win the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Gus Dahl again will be in the saddle for Ebanour’s first 2017 start over fences.

Donald Reuwer’s Grand Manan blazed to a seven-length score in the International Gold Cup on the Great Meadow course last October. He showed his usual early speed in the My Lady’s Manor but faded late to finish fourth on April 15. Trainer Billy Meister named Darren Nagle to ride.

Champion trainer Jack Fisher will saddle Bruton Street-US’s Lemony Bay, the My Lady’s Manor winner who has not finished worse than second in his six starts since arriving from England. Sean McDermott will ride.

A crowd of 70,000 is expected at Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup.

Also entered for the Virginia Gold Cup was Michael A. Smith’s Le Chevalier, the 2016 New Jersey Hunt Cup winner who was third in the My Lady’s Manor. Mark Watts has the call for trainer Julie Gomena.

Raven’s Choice, who was placed first in the 2015 Maryland Hunt Cup, will carry the silks of owner Ann Jackson in the Gold Cup. He finished third in the Grand National on April 22. Mark Beecher will ride for trainer Todd Wyatt.

Holston Hall’s Hot Rize, the 2014 Virginia Gold Cup winner and timber champion, is working to get back on track. In his first start in 11 months, he finished third in the Middleburg Hunt Cup. Trainer Russell Haynes named Gerard Galligan to ride.

Completing the field is Gordonsdale Farm’s Canyon Road, the second finisher in the Middleburg Hunt Cup. Jeff Murphy has the mount for trainer Christopher Kolb.

Here is the field for the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup in post-position order.

Le Chevalier. 2009 g. or ro. g., Broken Vow—Orellana, by With Approval. Owner: Michael Smith. Trainer: Julie Gomena. Jockey: Mark Watts. Breeder: Haras du Mezeray (Ky.) 2017 record: 1-0-0-1, $3,000. 2016 record: 5-2-1-0, $49,250. 2015 record: 2-0-1-1, $4,200. Finished third in the 2017 My Lady’s Manor. Won the 2016 New Jersey Hunt Cup by 11 lengths, then was fourth in Steeplechase at Callaway timber allowance. Broke through for a decisive victory in division of John Rush Streett Memorial maiden timber race at 2016 My Lady’s Manor, then was second in Mason Houghland Memorial at Iroquois Steeplechase.

Hot Rize. 2004 dk. b. or br. g., Sultry Song—Donesia, by Desert Wine. Owner: Holston Hall. Trainer: Russell Haynes. Jockey: Gerard Galligan. Breeder: Anne Haynes (Ky.) 2017 record: 1-0-0-0, $2,500. 2016 record: 1-0-0-1, $2,500. 2015 record: 5-0-0-0, $5,100. Opened 2017 campaign with third in Middleburg Hunt Cup. Finished well-beaten fourth in 2016 Mason Houghland Memorial at Iroquois Steeplechase. Unplaced in five 2015 starts. Clinched 2014 timber championship with half-length score in Far Hills’ New Jersey Hunt Cup after winning that year’s Virginia Gold Cup at odds of 10.70-1.

Grand Manan. 2009 b. g., Giant’s Causeway—Manoa, by Seeking the Gold. Owner: Donald Reuwer Jr. Trainer: William Meister. Jockey: Darren Nagle. Breeders: Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stable (Ky.). 2017 record: 1-0-0-0, $1,500. 2016 record: 4-3-0-0, $82,950. 2015 record: 3-2-0-0, $31,050. 2014 record: No starts. Finished fourth in 2017 My Lady’s Manor. Closed 2016 season with back-to-back front-running victories in the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup and International Gold Cup. Finished in dead heat for 2016 Willowdale Steeplechase win after fifth in My Lady’s Manor.

Canyon Road. 2009 ch. g., Service Stripe—Observe, by Patton. Owner: Gordonsdale Farm. Trainer: Christopher Kolb. Jockey: Jeff Murphy. Breeder: Gordonsdale Farm (W.Va.) 2017 record: 1-0-1-0, $5,400. 2016 record: 5-2-0-1, $25,250. 2015 record: No starts. Opened 2017 season with second in Middleburg Hunt Cup. Finished fourth in Virginia Fall’s National Sporting Library & Museum Cup, then won timber allowance at Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Won Willowdale maiden hurdle in May and then was distanced in Fair Hill’s novice timber allowance.

Ebanour (Ire). 2007 ch. g., Indian Ridge—Ebadilya, by Sadler’s Wells. Owner: Irvin S. Naylor. Trainer: Cyril Murphy. Jockey: Gus Dahl. Breeders: Aga Khan’s Studs (Ire). 2016 record: 4-3-0-0, $78,000. 2015 record: 2-1-1-0, $31,800. Won 2016 Virginia Gold Cup after victory in My Lady’s Manor. Won Pennsylvania Hunt Cup after losing rider late in Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. Won 2015 New Jersey Hunt Cup.

Raven’s Choice. 2007 dk. b. or br. g., Dance With Ravens—Millashand, by Regal Intention. Owner: Ann Jackson. Trainer: Todd Wyatt. Jockey: Mark Beecher. Breeder: Cary W. Jackson (Md.) 2017 record: 1-0-0-1, $3,300. 2016 record: 2-1-0-0, $18,000. 2015 record: 2-1-0-1, $48,000. Finished third in 2017 Grand National. Won 2016 Grand National, then fell at 16th fence in Maryland Hunt Cup. Placed first in 2015 Maryland Hunt Cup after finishing close second. Began that season with third in Grand National. Won 2014 Willowdale Steeplechase.

Lemony Bay (GB). 2009 b. g., Overbury—Lemon’s Mill, by Roberto. Owner: Bruton Street-US. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Sean McDermott. Breeder: G. R. Waters (GB). 2017 record: 1-1-0-0, $18,000. 2016 record: 5-3-2-0, $38,400. Won 2017 My Lady’s Manor. Closed 2016 season with victory in Steeplechase at Callaway timber allowance race. Won Virginia Gold Cup’s Steeplethon and Middleburg Spring’s Alfred M. Hunt steeplechase after second in division of John Rush Streett maiden timber at 2016 My Lady’s Manor. Finished second in Virginia Fall’s Steeplethon.

Virginia Thoroughbred Association Award Winning Horses For 2016 Announced 

Virginia-bred champion thoroughbred horses for 2016 have been announced, and their respective connections will receive trophies at the annual Virginia Thoroughbred Association awards ceremony Friday May 5th at Great Meadow. The annual Virginia Gold Cup Races will be contested there the next afternoon.

Horse of the Year honors will be awarded to Stellar Wind for the second consecutive year. The now 5 year old Curlin mare only made four starts in 2016, all in Grade I stakes, and first three were highlighted by a showdown with arch rival Beholder. After a runner-up finish to Beholder in Santa Anita’s Vanity Stakes, Stellar Wind turned the tables and beat her nemesis by one-half length in the Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar, and by a neck in a thrilling Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita. Since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup, she has earned some well deserved time off.

Hronis Racing’s Stellar Wind and jockey Victor Espinoza, outside, outleg Beholder (GaryStevens), inside, to win the Grade I, $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes, Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.
© BENOIT PHOTO

Out of the Malibu Moon mare, Evening Star, Stellar Wind was bred by Peggy Augustus’s Keswick Stables and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC. She earned $540,000 in 2016 alone and has a lifetime bankroll of $1,453,200 from 12 starts. She was the Eclipse Award as Champion 3 Year Old Filly in 2015.

Valid, another million-dollar plus earner, was named Top Older Horse for the second consecutive year. The 7 year old Medaglia d’Oro gelding raced four times last year, all in graded stakes at Gulfstream Park. His lone victory came April 2nd in the Grade 3 Skip Away Stakes. That followed second place finishes in the Hal’s Hope Stakes and Donn Handicap, and a third in the Gulfstream Park Handicap. Valid was bred by Edward Evans, earned $268,070 in 2016, and has amassed $1,101,647 in his 37 career starts. The Marcus Vitali trainee is out of Grand Prayer by Grand Slam.

Valid is shown winning the 2017 Skip Away Stakes. Photo by Leslie Martin.

 

Long On Value put an exclamation point of sorts on his selection as Champion Turf Sprinter with a close runner-up finish in the recent Grade I, $1 Million Al Quoz Stakes in Dubai. The 6 year old Bill Mott trainee earned $118,270 from seven starts last year, highlighted by a victory in the Lucky Coin Stakes July 25th at Saratoga. He was bred by Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds and is by Value Plus out of Long Message by Orientate.

Rapid Rhythm was named Champion Female Turf Sprinter after collecting five wins in eight starts last year. The 5 year old daughter of Successful Appeal bankrolled $153,617 from key victories in the Oakley Stakes at Laurel and the Battle of New Orleans Stakes at Fair Grounds. The Mike Stidham trainee was bred by the Lazy Lane Farms, LLC.

Eight year old Rose Brier, named Champion Turf Horse, captured four races in 2016 and finished either second or third in his other three. Earnings from the seven totaled $180,560, which helped push his career total over the $500,000 mark. Bred by William Backer and trained by Jane Cibelli, the Mizzen Mast gelding won the Bert Allen Stakes for the third straight year in addition to the Henry Clark and Edward Evans Stakes.

In the three year old category, Sticksstatelydude was named Champion Male while Queen Caroline took Champion Female honors. The former had an allowance win at Belmont July 15th then won the Grade 3 Discovery Stakes at Aqueduct in mid-November. Bred by the Canyon Lake Thoroughbreds, the Kiaran McLaughlin trained colt earned $243,540 in ’16. Queen Caroline won four straight last year beginning with a maiden special weight score at Pimlico May 21st followed by three stakes triumphs. The Blame filly crossed first in the Nellie Mae Cox, TaWee and Indiana Grand Stakes. She was bred by the Morgan’s Ford Farm and is owned by Virginia based Amy Moore.

Jockey Alex Cintron was atop Queen Caroline in the June 25th Nellie Mae Cox Stakes. Photo by Jim McCue.

Lime House Louie and Taleoftheprincess were named Champion two year old male and female horses respectively.  The former captured a maiden special weight race at Charles Town July 23rd then won the Jamestown Stakes at Laurel in September. The latter, a Tale of the Cat filly, collected a maiden claiming win at Keeneland and an allowance optional claiming triumph at Fair Grounds November 27th. Lime House Louie was bred by Carlos S.E. Moore and Gillian Gordon-Moore and is out of Mystic Boy by Housebuster. Taleoftheprincess was bred by the William Backer Revocable Trust and is out of the Waquoit mare, Frost Princess.

Zanclus was named Champion Steeplechase Horse based on wins at Foxfield and Great Meadow, and allowance runner-ups at Fair Hill, Shawan Downs and Pine Mountain. The 7 year old son of Xenodon was bred and is owned by Sara Collette, and is trained by Neil Morris.

Zanclus won his 4th straight race October 22nd at Great Meadow in the $40,000 Steeplethon. Photo by Douglas Lees.

Doug Fout will be recognized as the Top Virginia Trainer. Horses in his stable made 103 starts last year and earned $505,485 in purse monies. His Hardrock Eleven captured the $75,000 William Entenmann Memorial Hurdle Stakes at Belmont and a $65,000 allowance race at Saratoga. Fout’s Help from Heaven scored a similar allowance victory at Saratoga. He also had a pair of wins on the fall Gold Cup card at Great Meadow with Canadian Gold in a maiden special weight race and with Cryptos’ Holiday in an allowance.

Leading Breeder honors will go to the late William Backer, who passed away in 2016. Horses he bred won 35 races  including the Penn Oaks and Honey Ryder Stakes (both by Sweet Victory), the Punch Line Stakes (by Moon River), and the trio of stakes won by Rose Brier. Chorus Line, a 4 year old Parading filly, didn’t win a stakes race but did  finish the year with three straight wins on the New York circuit. Mr. Backer won $56,524 in Breeders Fund awards in 2016, tops among Virginia breeders.

A Special Achievement Award will be presented to Tough Weather, a 6 year old Wiseman’s Ferry mare who won eight races in 2016. She amassed 13 “in the money” finishes from 15 starts and bankrolled $119,989 last year. The wins came from three different tracks — Delaware Park (3), Penn National (3) and Laurel (2). Tough Weather was bred by Sam English II and is trained by Scott Lake.