April 2023 Issue

Page 28 April 2023 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian! Press Release The Fair Hill Bugle, the news- letter of the Fair Hill Foundation, revealed that it will not pursue the Fair Hill Races card this May. With discussions ongoing about a memorandum of under- standing and land use agreement with the State of Maryland, owner of the Fair Hill property, the Fair Hill Foundation plans to contin- ue advocating for use of the turf course for training – and ultimate- ly flat and steeplechase racing – as soon as possible. The equine- events facility at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone underwent a major reconstruction includ- ing an all-new turf course, show rings and cross-country course in 2019 and has twice hosted an international five-star eventing competition. The return of training and racing to the property has long been and continues to be the goal of the Fair Hill Foundation. “We are disappointed that the progress we made during Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration to- ward bringing racing back to Fair Hill has stalled with the change in administration, but we understand the need for Gov. Wes Moore’s of- fice to review the formal land-use agreement and other issues such as safety and maintenance related to this project,” said Foundation President Charles C. Fenwick, Jr. “We are confident the new leader- ship at the Department of Natural Resources will work with us to re- instate turf and steeplechase races to this historic venue soon.” The one-mile course was completely redesigned for im- proved safety with gentler turns, a wider racing area, a sophisticat- ed irrigation system and plastic running rail – all with eyes on expanding the opportunities for Thoroughbred racing on the flat and over steeplechase fences. Racing was not held in 2020, due to the construction and the Covid-19 pandemic’s effect on public events, or in 2021 to allow the new turf to mature. Last year, construction related to the infield show rings necessitated another missed racing opportunity. The Fair Hill Foundation has been given the eight pari-mutuel racing days allot- ted to Fair Hill and hoped to offer a mixed card of flat and jump races worth $400,000 on the traditional Memorial Day Weekend slot to celebrate the course’s rebirth. “Because of the planning involved in hosting the Fair Hill Races, we have made the decision to postpone them again,” said Fenwick. “We simply don’t have enough time to properly prepare for a May 27 meet.” Before the spring races, to test the course and ensure the safest possible conditions, the Foundation hoped to have the course open to training by race- horses stabled at the adjacent Fair Hill Training Center. In February, DNR officials informed the Foun- dation that they were not ready to discuss use of the course for train- ing or racing because of concerns around safety and maintenance. Return of the Fair Hill Races Still on Hold (Continued on page 29)