Queen’s Cup Steeplechase Races Bring National Attention to Waxhaw
“The Greatest Show on Turf”
The last Saturday in April is a highly anticipated date in the Southeast. The Queen’s Cup horse race, held on April 29 this year, brings together families, friends, local businesses, and philanthropists to mingle, tailgate, compete, and share the excitement of horse racing.
“Ice It,” a five-year-old previous champion, won the $75,000 Queens Cup MPC Chase with Jockey Sean McDermont. The winning race time was 4 minutes, 19 seconds. Prior to the featured race, attendees had the opportunity to enter a hat contest; compete for the “Most Creative Award” in the tailgate competition (rum popsicles were a hit); bet on the fastest dog in the Jack Russell Terrier Races; and learn secrets of race riding on the Racecourse Jockey Walk.
Fashion is as much a part of the Queen’s Cup as the racing. Ladies wear fancy, hand-decorated hats, and gentlemen wear outrageous bowties. The jockeys themselves dress in bright colored silks.
Each year the Charlotte Steeplechase Foundation designates a charity as beneficiary of a portion of the race’s proceeds. The Alzheimer’s Association of Western North Carolina was selected for the fourth year.
All this excitement takes place just four miles from downtown Waxhaw! Mark your calendar next year for the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase Races on Saturday, April 28, 2018.
