Festive and fun pre-race events to kick off the 88th Radnor Hunt Races
Chadds Ford, PA, March 15, 2018 —As the 88th Radnor Hunt Races—one of the nation’s top three spring steeplechases—approaches on Saturday, May 19, the Radnor Hunt Races Committee is excited to present four fun events to help kick off the festivities leading up to Race Day. All proceeds benefit the open space and clean water programs of the Brandywine Conservancy, which has been the sole beneficiary of the Radnor Hunt Races since 1980.
Held at Radnor Hunt in Malvern, PA, the pre-race events will feature everything from tips on how to create the perfect tailgate picnic, to designing a one-of-a-kind hat with the aid of well-known area milliners, to an exclusive pop-up shopping boutique for all the best race day fashion essentials.
Events include:
- Grooming Your Tailgate — March 22, 6 to 8 p.m. Join a professional chef and mixologist for an entertaining ‘how-to’ of tailgating at the Radnor Hunt Races. 13th Street Cocktail Catering and Tito’s will be on hand to create a signature cocktail for Race Day. $20 per person; includes light hors d'oeuvres & cash bar.
- Cocktails and Chapeaux — April 25, 6 to 8 p.m. Spend a few hours with friends and fellow race-goers creating a one-of-a-kind hat for Race Day. Well-known area milliners will be there to help guests create the perfect chapeau fit to take the top prize. Hat not included—please bring a hat to embellish or adorn. Embellishments are included in the price. $25 per person; includes hat embellishments, light hors d’oeuvres & cash bar.
- Radnor Races Shopping Boutique — May 10, 2 to 9 p.m. Shop for all you’ll need to be “Race Day ready” with boutique shopping. $10 per person; includes light hors d’oeuvres & cash bar.
- Wildflower Bash — May 18; cocktails 6:30 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m. Kick off the races the night before with a festive dinner dance at Radnor Hunt. Formal invitation to follow.
Also new to the Radnor Hunt Races this year, the Fox’s Den—located trackside at the finish line—lets spectators mingle with the owners, trainers and riders while enjoying the event from the best seat in the house. Tickets to the Fox’s Den include gourmet catering by Garces, full beverage service by 13th Street Cocktail Catering, parking next to the tent area, private restrooms, Finish Line view and access to the post-Race Preakness party.
Tickets to the Radnor Hunt Races and all pre-race events are now on sale to the public and can be purchased by visiting www.radnorhuntraces.org or by calling 610.388.8383. Admission is sold in advance only, through May 11. Race Day tickets start at $100 per car (includes entry for all people in the vehicle). In addition to the tents, a wide variety of reserved parking spots and box seats are available. Radnor Hunt is located at 826 Providence Road, Malvern, PA 19355.
Sponsored by BNY Wealth Management, the Radnor Hunt Races draw the best thoroughbred horses, riders and trainers across the country, along with nearly 25,000 spectators enjoying a day in the countryside. In addition to six thrilling jump races and the prestige of $190,000 in purse money, the day’s events include a spectacular antique carriage parade, the much-loved parade of foxhounds, plus tailgating competitions and hat contests. The races take place rain or shine on Saturday, May 19; gates open at 10 a.m. There are six jump races throughout the day—starting at 1:30 p.m.—with about a half an hour between each race. The W. Burling Cocks Racecourse at Radnor Hunt is about a mile around, and the horses run clock-wise around the circuit for two or three laps, depending on the race. In addition to presenting sponsor BNY Mellon Wealth Management—the lead sponsor for over 30 years—other returning sponsors include The Bellevue, Saul Ewing Arnstien and Lehr LLP—all with over two decades of continued support—as well as Keystone Property and Skyway International. For information about sponsorship, please contact Kathy Freney Smith at 610.388.8315.
For 39 years, the Radnor Hunt Races has solely benefited the Brandywine Conservancy, whose work over the past 50 years has focused on protecting water and preserving the breathtaking landscapes, rich history and active farmland surrounding the Brandywine Creek. With the help of the races and many likeminded partners, the Conservancy has protected over 64,500 acres of open space— including the Radnor Hunt racecourse itself and surrounding lands—and continues to improve and safeguard water quality along the Brandywine in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware.
About the Brandywine Conservancy:
The Brandywine Conservancy protects water, conserves land, and engages communities. The Conservancy uses a multi-faceted approach to conservation. Staff work with private landowners who wish to see their lands protected forever, and provide innovative community planning services to municipalities and other governmental agencies. The Conservancy currently holds 483 conservation and agricultural easements and has facilitated the permanent preservation of more than 64,500 acres of land. The Conservancy is a program of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
About the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art:
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art preserves and promotes the natural and cultural connections between the area’s beautiful landscape, historic sites, and important artists. The Conservancy protects the lands throughout the Brandywine Valley, developing new conservation approaches and assuring access to majestic open spaces and dependable water supplies for generations to come. The Museum of Art presents and collects historic and contemporary works of American art, engaging and exciting visitors of all ages through an array of exhibitions and programs. The Brandywine unites the inspiring experiences of art and nature, enhancing the quality of life in its community and among its diverse audiences.
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