Celebrate 100 years of the Virginia Gold Cup on May 3, 2025

Get ready for a historic celebration! On Saturday, May 3, 2025, the Virginia Gold Cup Races will mark their 100th running at Great Meadow, which is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Great Meadow Foundation and the Virginia Gold Cup Association have collaborated to ensure the racecourse is in top condition. Over the past year, significant investments have been made, including the installation of two new wells to provide a reliable water supply for the venue's retention ponds, addressing challenges from the 2024 drought. A comprehensive maintenance plan has also been implemented to restore the racecourse to world-class condition. These enhancements ensure that the venue is ready to host this prestigious event.

“Our commitment to preserving and enhancing the racecourse at Great Meadow has been unwavering,” said Karen Crane, chair of the Great Meadow Foundation. “We are proud to welcome the Virginia Gold Cup back to the place it was always meant to call home, as we honor a century of equestrian excellence in the heart of Fauquier County.”

The fall races were moved to Middleburg when race officials decided the Great Meadow course was not safe to run on. Great Meadow leadership said they felt conditions would have been ready by the time the races were held at the end of October. The Gold Cup races at Great Meadow are widely viewed as one of the iconic events that help define Fauquier and Virginia Horse and Wine Country. They generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in local economic activity. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t get things back to safety for the horse and the rider. That’s always our paramount concern.” What’s more, Crane said, “The original goal when Nick Arundel bought this property was to have a permanent home for the Virginia Gold Cup and the International Gold Cup.”

“We all want the same thing. Great racing in Virginia," she said. Dr. William Allison, chair of the Virginia Gold Cup Association, stressed the importance of the partnership saying, “The Virginia Gold Cup and Great Meadow share a deep-rooted history. This venue was established as a permanent home for our cherished event, and the collaboration between our organizations ensures we can continue to celebrate the traditions, camaraderie, and world-class competition that define the Gold Cup. We look forward to an unforgettable 100th running in May 2025.”

The Great Meadow Foundation and the Virginia Gold Cup Association expressed gratitude to the Virginia Equine Alliance as well as the many supporters, sponsors and partners "who have made these advancements possible. Together, these collaborative efforts ensure that Great Meadow continues to be a cornerstone of the equestrian community and a destination for excellence in steeplechase racing,” they said.

The agreement was expected given the comments of newly elected Foundation chair Karen Crane a few weeks ago when she said, “I can’t imagine not being able to work this out. We need each other.”

Don't miss this milestone event! Tickets for the 100th Running of the Virginia Gold Cup will go on sale February 3, 2025.