Cheshire Races

The 79th Running of the Cheshire Races was a great success, thanks to you! We appreciate all of our sponsors, volunteers, horsemen, spectators, and officials. It was a fun and safe day of racing, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the races on Sunday, March 28, 2027!

 

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors:

Venue Sponsor: Mr. Cuyler Walker

Presenting Sponsors: Runnymoore Racing, flyGATEWAY, Samuel Slater and Eleanor Forbes, Vixen Chase Farm, Joy Slater, Michael and Anne Moran.

Race Day Sponsors: Carol Fanning Young, BNY Wealth, Selkirk Partners, Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation, the National Steeplechase Association, Ashwell Stables, Tapeta Footing.

Cocktail Party Sponsors: Quarry View Building Group, Gretz Brewing.

Race Sponsors: Bryn Mawr Trust, Killians Creek - Ray & Gwen Shelling, Cadwalader & Associates, Inc., Mrs. Wendy Hendriks, C.J. and Sarah Martin, Lamplight Farm, Tranquility Farm, Mr. Don Cochran, Holly Gross Realty Group.

Partners in Preservation Hospitality Tent Sponsors: Brandywine Conservancy, Buck & Doe Trust.

Fence Sponsors: the National Bank of Malvern, The Hain Family, Dr. Janet K. Johnston, Abbey Fence Co, Mr. & Mrs. Dale Krapf, Laurel Hill Farm, Sovana Bistro, the Blue Yak Foundation, Archer & Buchanan Architecture, JD Mushrooms, Mr. Stephen Gretz, Mr. Charles C. Coyne, Zack's Automotive Services.

Friends of the Cheshire Races: Boothwyn Pharmacy, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Scott, Midlantic Limited, Mr. William W. Wylie, R-P Nurseries, Mr. & Mrs. Spencer Verney, Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cadwalader.

View photos of each year's races by Official Race Photographer Jim Graham
RACE PHOTOS

Brief History of the Cheshire Races

Mr. Stewarts Cheshire Foxhounds was founded in 1914 by Plunket Stewart, the stepfather of Nancy Penn Smith Hannum, who made her joint master with him in 1945. In 1946, after the war, they started the races because it was fun. Back then, the event consisted of just three races: a ladies race, a heavyweight race and the open race for the Cheshire Bowl. Trainers aimed for the Cheshire Bowl as it was a challenging course that would help to get horses ready for the ultimate prize in timber racing, the Maryland Hunt Cup.

Today the Cheshire Races offer a full day's race card including pony races, flat races, timber races and sidesaddle races.  Held in late March, these races signify the start of the race season in the Mid-Atlantic!