The National Steeplechase Association (NSA), the national governing body for jump racing, has revoked the sanction for the 2024 International Gold Cup to run at Great Meadow and deemed the Great Meadow race course to be “in disrepair and unsafe.”
Both the International Gold Cup (fall race) and the Virginia Gold Cup (spring) are held by the Virginia Gold Cup Association. The VGCA rents the course from Great Meadow for $300K annually. The contract between VGCA and Great Meadow specifically calls for Great Meadow to maintain the course in top condition and according to NSA standards.
Without the NSA sanction, the races cannot continue at Great Meadow. “The safety of the horses and jockeys is our top priority for the Virginia Gold Cup Association as a race meet, and it is also the most important responsibility and focus of the NSA,” said Al Griffin, co-chairman of the Virginia Gold Cup Association. “The NSA has been monitoring the conditions of Great Meadow for years now and the board of the NSA took action that is in keeping with the mandate to provide safe racing conditions for their constituents.” Griffin is also president of the NSA but recused himself during NSA board deliberations to avoid any conflict.
The International Gold Cup was scheduled to run at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 26. It will now move to nearby Glenwood Park in Middleburg, Virginia. Those who have purchased tickets will have spaces and tickets honored at the new venue and will receive information shortly from the International Gold Cup ticket office.
For more information visit vagoldcup.com.
