Welcome back to Camden. South Carolina. Steeplechasing returns to the Colonial Cup for the first time in eight years. Once a mainstay, the mainstay, of the steeplechase calendar, the Grade 1, title-clinching, race of races was canceled, mostly for financial reasons. Like canceling Christmas. The sport lost its signature race. A 2 ¾-mile, inside-loop, outside-loop, over signature fences, end-of-the-season gem. The Colonial Cup offered nowhere to hide; no excuses were ever made. Settle it on the track. Best horse wins. Steeplechasing’s arm wrestle.
The one where champions were crowned, were chiseled, were anointed. Top Bid in the mud in the first, a 22-strong international field in the world’s richest jump race. Lucky Boy by a nose in a five-way photo. New Zealand jet plane Grand Canyon running and jumping, a ballerina and a bull. Flatterer and John Francome, then Fishback for three more. Victorian Hill, Flat Top, Lonesome Glory, McDynamo, Good Night Shirt…and all the others. Win this and you’ll never walk alone.
Toby Edwards and the Carolina Cup Association vowed to bring it back. And here we are. The race is different. The pine-stuffed fences have reverted to the standard American hurdles, the inside-loop-outside-loop has morphed into one middle loop and the distance has shortened to 2 5/8 miles. This year’s race attracted seven and will host six. Of course, one of those six is the sport’s best. Snap Decision. One time, my son. One more time.
Read about the revitalization.
Riverdee launches three horses at the six-race card.
King Tsunami returns for his first start since a romp at Virginia Fall in October. Trained by Todd and Blair Wyatt and ridden again by Stephen Mulqueen (Steve McQueen!), the son of Into Mischief faces five rivals in an optional starter allowance hurdle.
Watch King Tsunami win at Virginia Fall.
Post time 2:10.
Cool Jet lines up in the Hobkirk Hill. The restricted stakes attracted an eclectic and electric field of 10. The 8-year-old Irish-bred is one of five novice stakes winners, including top weight Abaan, in the 2 5/8-mile race. The $72,000 sweepstakes also includes four-time winning mare Gold Charm and Grade 1-placed Pickanumber. Fourth in his return at Foxfield Oct. 6, Cool Jet gets reunited with Graham Watters, who guided the Jack Fisher trainee to a win in the novice stakes at Callaway Gardens last year.
Watch Cool Jet win at Callaway.
We skipped stakes at the International Gold Cup and Montpelier due to firm ground this fall and will try to salvage his disrupted season here.
Post time 3:20.
American War Hero makes his debut for Riverdee, trainer Sandra Webb and rider Emme Fullilove in the finale, a mile and a half flat race. A $625,000 purchase in 2023, the 3-year-old son of Constitution won once on the flat for Graham Motion before joining Riverdee in September. Today is an exercise, a steppingstone for bigger things next year.
Post time 3:55.
You can watch all the races live.
• Riverdee International. We purchased Imarajan at the recent Goffs Sale. The 3-year-old son of Camelot finished second going 1 ¾ miles at The Curragh in Ireland in his most recent start. He joined the father/son team of Eddie and Patrick Harty (father/grandfather Eddie rode in the first Colonial Cup) at The Curragh and will lead our international venture. We have our sights on Cheltenham, Punchestown and racing festivals around the world. Trips scheduled. Shares available.
• Riverdee recently added Cyber Ninja to the squad. The stakes-placed 4-year-old won twice for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and will point at a dual-purpose campaign for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Fisher next year. Shares available.
• Good luck to Clancy Bloodstock recruits Brie’s Mission, Quick Master and Welshman at the Colonial Cup today.
• Riverdee will cap off the steeplechase season with Palio and Penicillin Success at the Aiken Steeplechase next weekend.
