The Far Hills Race Meeting, an annual tradition that draws more than 30,000 spectators in October, has joined the Covid cancelled list on its 100th anniversary year.
A New Jersey state regulation limiting crowd size to 500, except for a protest or religious gathering, doomed the races, despite great interest from people buying tickets, with orders still coming in yesterday
The Far Hills Race Meeting has been a highlight of the year for many people over the last century. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“We tried and tried and tried to make this work, we looked at all different scenarios. We held out until the last,” said Guy Torsilieri, who co-chairs the race meeting with Ron Kennedy.
“We had set up a substantially reduced race card. Even with that, with the reduction of purses and all the amenities, the base cost to put on the event far exceeded what the income was going to be. I don’t have any angels to help us along. It’s very unfortunate, but it’s the right answer based on all the information we had.”
Those who had been looking forward to the steeplechase meet as one of the usual highlights of their year–many have been attending for decades–were understanding, but disappointed, as yet another event fell victim to the pandemic.
“It’s such a bummer to happen to them on their 100th anniversary,” said Catherine Norbury of Peapack, a regular at the races.
“We’ve been going since we were kids,” she noted. Her family, which owns F. Gerald New jewelers, always gathered in the same spot, number 304 in front of the announcers’ stand. They have been serving their guests the same food, “old-school chili, for a million years.”
Explaining the appeal of going to the races, Catherine explained, “It’s such a fun day, being with friends. You know what it’s going to be like, but different people are coming by who spend the day watching the races.”
While racing fans loved getting a close-up look at horses, jockeys and owners that isn’t available at the big tracks, many people were more interested in festive tailgating and mingling, with the races often serving as an occasion for family and school reunions.
The races were started by the Essex Foxhounds as an outreach to farmers and property owners. While it’s grown enormously over the years after being billed as “family day in the country,” Ralph Jones, who has served as a volunteer shuttle driver observed, “it still had a hometown feel.”
The cancellation is a double blow for Guy, who is also chairman of the National Steeplechase Association. After a successful run of racing in Virginia and at Saratoga this summer with the support of the New York Racing Association, he predicted that with no more races for them this year, all the stakes and novice horses will be turned out this fall.
“There will be maiden races and some amateur races for the young jockeys, we’re trying to make the best of a horrible, horrible situation with changing the racing conditions and the card,” he said.
“We don’t make any money on parimutuel wagering like the racetracks do. The racetracks can run without fans because they get a tremendous amount of income from the parimutuel wagering side. All of the income from race meets is either from donations, spectators or corporate businesses. They’re not going to socially gather until 2021.
“So the race meets are going to run either at a loss and they’re donating for the good of the game or they’re running with substantial charitable contributions from donors or subsidies,” Guy said, citing backing from the Virginia Racing Commission or the State of Virginia. He said steeplechase racing in that state was basically the reason that parimutuel wagering and horse racing had a resurgence.
Far Hills, he pointed out, is just one meet, as opposed to a series of races.
“We don’t have the historical horse racing and other revenues that subsidize horse racing in other states,” he pointed out.
Looking ahead to 2021, he commented, “We’re getting a tremendous outpouring of support from our very, very loyal fans. People really want this race meeting to happen and get back to some normalcy.” When the Covid situation ends, he is confident “we’ll come back bigger and better.”
Cancellation not only has been a letdown for the racing community and the many people who look forward to the event, but it also has affected the Far Hills Race Meeting Association’s charitable mission. The organization has raised more than $18 million to benefit local healthcare initiatives. These include cancer treatments and support, people suffering from substance abuse and opioid addiction, supporting at-risk youth and serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Current space holders for the races can email office@farhillsrace.org for information about the status of their reserved parking space or private tent.Those who have sent their money in can donate it to the races. It is tax deductible and also will include a bonus of an extra ticket. Those who can’t do that may roll it over to a 2021 reservation. Others who need a refund can get one minus the processing fee. “We can’t be more fair than that,” said Guy. “We need to survive so that we can continue to give money for health care in the region. We hope people will be in the donating mode for this.”
Far Hills Mayor Paul Vallone, noting his town’s centenary is next year, commented, “Needless to say, we’re very disappointed. There was a lot to celebrate. It’s certainly been a very important and prominent event here in Far Hills and throughout Somerset County and all of racing. The plan is to look forward to 2021 and have that as a spectacular event.”
Far Hills also missed hosting the MARS Essex Horse Trials at Moorland Farm in July, which was called off because of the Covid situation and state mandates.
For more information, go farhillsrace.org or find it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
