Southern Belles and Southern charm, a day at the races in Carolina...

Events / Editor / 13 December 2007 / Leave a Comment

Nick Shiambouros looks back on a memorable day at the Colonial Cup

Sometimes a decision based on impulse can turn out well or not so well and sometimes it can prove to exceed your wildest expectations. I can't really claim that my decision to attend last month's Colonial Cup was totally based on impulse but here is what happened and I will let you decide.

I knew that my plane would be stopping in Charlotte, North Carolina, en route to a quick visit to the tail end of The Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale so the thought had definitely crossed my mind to make the detour. As soon as I looked out the window of the aircraft as it flew over the gorgeous Carolina countryside on its final approach my mind was made up - I was going to the Cup!

With a lot of help from the ladies at US Airways I was in a rental car and on my way to a hotel in Charlotte for a good nights rest before embarking on the two-hour drive to Camden, South Carolina, where this great race takes place at Springdale Racecourse.

I hit the road on a beautiful morning without a cloud in the sky and a rapidly rising temperature to towards the rolling countryside that the Carolinas are renowned for. As I drove past Billy Graham Parkway I thought "this must be God's Country ". The drive was nothing short of breathtaking and I was surrounded by the changing coloured leaves that Autumn brings and sweeping roads with wonderful contours.

The racecourse suddenly appeared on State Road 97 and I was directed to The National Steeplechase Museum and office where I was greeted by Executive Director Hope H Cooper who kindly gave me a tour and arranged a badge for me for the whole day. As I walked in to the racecourse I immediately got the feeling that this was a special place.

The Grandstand is relatively small and open while the course is a sweeping galloping track which is relatively flat with natural brush fences which are quite stiff compared to other steeplechase courses. In addition, there is an open timber course which has an unusual loop at the bottom end of the course.

Today there are seven races on offer with The Colonial Cup featuring the great Mcdynamo and his main rival the six-year-old Good Night Shirt in the fifth race.

Wagering is not permitted in South Carolina so people come for the love of the sport. Colonial Cup day is more for the purists and die-hard fans which marks it out from the hugely popular Carolina Cup which takes place in the Spring. There you will see all the Southern socialites come out to see and be seen. The ladies get to show off the latest in spring fashions and apparently around 60,000 show up for the day.

After a good look round I was off to the paddock for the first race to get a feel of what it is like to be part of this great sport. My first impression was that this was The Royal Ascot of National Hunt racing stateside as I saw two Southern Belles sipping champagne while talking to a trainer and overhearing a Southern gentleman ask his friend: "Are you set for duck hunt?"!

This sport attracts the well-heeled and it has that "old money" feel to it. Marion du Pont Scott bought the course in 1954 and was responsible for America's first International Race - The Colonial Cup. After she died she left the course to The State of South Carolina with a provision that it will always be maintained for equine use.

I watched the first race from the Grandstand and then strolled over to the in-field to look for a gentleman called Gary Loflin who is a close to a friend of mine. Sure enough I found Gary and his family enjoying the racing and the weather. Needless to say they treated me to some of that Southern hospitality I had immediately grown accustomed to. It is that kind of place.

I ambled back over to the grandstand to congratulate the very-accommodating veteran trainer Jonathan Sheppard when Slews Peak brilliantly ridden by Danielle Hodsdon held off the late challenge of Lair in a Stakes Race. Jonathan spent a good deal of his valuable time talking to me and his enthusiasm and passion for the sport is breathtaking.

Before the big race I spent some time behind the grandstand where there are some concession stands offering everything from hats to bespoke greeting cards. I met Kathy McCaskill who has a small farm nearby and shears her own sheep and sends the wool up to Prince Edward Island to be made in to exclusive blankets just for her. Of course I had to buy one!

Now it was time for The Colonial Cup, raced over two miles and six furlongs. I hurried to the paddock to see the great Mcdynamo - seeking his fourth win in the race to equal the great Flatterer, champion here from 83 to 86. Deep-chested and imposing, he remained calm in the preliminaries as, in truth, did the rest of his six rivals including Good Night Shirt who beat him earlier in the year in The Iriquois. Mcdynamo got his revenge in The Breeder's Cup last time out, so with the score even it was this race that would decide which of the two would be crowned Horse Of The Year.

During the race McDynamo jumped flawlessly while Good Night Shirt kept making mistakes. It is rare to see a horse stand off his fences as much as McDynamo does and it quickly became apparent to me that I was watching a star. Good Night Shirt remained handy throughout and led as they began to turn for home. The champion tried to mount a challenge one last time but it was apparent that he had no more left while his younger rival did, going on to take this historic race beating Three Carat with the champion coasting in at the rear of the field. McDynamo was immediately retired and a new champion was crowned.

Good Night Shirt was ridden by Willie Dowling, who is originally from Kilkenny in Ireland. When I spoke to him afterwards he told me that after working for Jim Bolger he went to England and rode for Len Lungo. I sensed in the way he reflected on his time in England that it wasn't the best time in his life but this likeable young man was all smiles as he thanked everybody for his success with particular note to his partner, Tennessee girl Tara Elmore, who he credits most for this huge win.

Well, the day was almost over as I watched the last two races in the baking afternoon sun and I started to say goodbye to everybody who made it such a great and memorable day for me - Hope Cooper, Pam Mosier, my photographer Addie Diller who worked so hard all afternoon, Gary Loflin and everyone at the Lexus Marquee who fed and watered me all day. Most of all thanks have to go out to the great State of South Carolina which most of all helped make this a truly memorable experience in every aspect. The drive back to the airport passing beautiful Southern homes with rocking chairs on the front porches provided a picture postcard ending to the day. Will I be back next year?.What do you think!

All photos kindly provided by Addie Diller

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