In a time of contraction, Florida Steeplechase offers a hint of expansion
Florida Horse Park hosts point-to-point March 5, eyes 2023 sanctioned meet
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Jump rider Archie Macauley and partner Jessica Berry knew that American steeplechase racing needed a shot in the arm. Hear how their grand plan has taken shape, carving a racecourse out of a Florida field where none existed before and piecing together a fabulous race card and entertainment to carry what might be the most exciting opportunity on the circuit. |
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They’re bringing steeplechase to the Horse Capital of the World, a natural hook-up between one of the world’s most popular horse sports with what’s trademarked as the center of the equine sporting universe.
The surprising thing, say organizers of the Florida Steeplechase, is that jump racing hadn’t stopped in at Ocala before.
The March 5 meet, running this year as a point-to-point with “preliminary sanction,” and advisory support from, the National Steeplechase Association, is a hopeful sign of expansion to kick off the 2022 season.
“Ocala is such a horse-friendly town,” says race co-founder and co-chair Archie Macauley. “There’s absolutely no reason steeplechasing can’t take hold here.”
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The amateur steeplechase jockey, bloodstock agent and lifelong horseman conceived the Florida Steeplechase with the help of Jessica Berry, his partner in Clarity Thoroughbreds sales agency and an international thoroughbred horsewoman in her own right. The pair ran with a general notion to expand jump racing opportunities they had a couple years ago, marrying it with a hard-to-refuse offer from the well-regarded Florida Horse Park to host the fledgling meet.
The Florida Steeplechase came together rather abruptly starting in November, “after two years of thinking about it,” Macauley says. Covid had put the project on hold, but as sporting events began to open back up to spectators last summer, they saw an opportunity.
Saturday, the dream becomes reality.
The last steeplechase run in Florida was Little Everglades, which started as an NSA-assisted point-to-point in 2000 and ran with, and without, sanctioning until 2009. There was the short-lived Palm Beach Steeplechase and jump races at Tampa Bay Downs, but never in Ocala.
“We stand behind the meet and will support it in any way we can to create an exciting new event opportunity,” NSA president Al Griffin said in a release. “The goal is to make it part of the calendar in 2023 as a properly sanctioned meet. For now, it’s a nice opportunity for trainers and owners to school younger horses and for us to check out the facility.”
Macauley says they’ve gotten encouragement and support from the association and the entire industry from the start. Shipper Brian Hogan agreed to transport a set of the NSA’s national fences down, and Hogan horse vans will ship most of the horses from Camden the six hours south to Ocala.
Brown Advisory’s Mike Hankin and steeplechase owner Tom Collins jumped in as early sponsors.
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Meet the team:
Archie Macauley, Jessica Berry – master-minds behind the Florida Steeplechase
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Archie Macauley was raised on his family farm in County Wicklow, Ireland where he worked with broodmares, foals, yearlings and racehorses. He whipped in for the West Wicklow Foxhounds as a junior.
He studied at Trinity College Dublin, serving on the committee of the University's Horse Racing Society organizing trips to farms and training centers.
Macauley rode National Hunt races in England and Ireland and spent a summer in Australia working for trainer Ciaran Maher.
After completing his degree, Macauley came to Canada to work for Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield, in 2019 joining Ricky Hendriks’ barn in Pennsylvania.
Macauley and Jessica Berry created Clarity Thoroughbreds last year, acting as agent for steeplechase and flat racing prospects in the U.S. and Europe.
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Jessica Berry grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, hunting and eventing out of her family farm.
She attended the University of San Diego and during her summer holidays worked in Kentucky as an exercise rider and yearling sales prep.
She graduated in 2015 with a a BA in international relations. She interned for Team Valor International and in Australia for Arrowfield Stud and Gai Waterhouse.
In 2016, Berry was accepted into the Godolphin Flying Start Programme, a two-year international management and leadership training program founded by HRH Sheikh Mohammed and accredited by the University College Dublin business school.
In Flying Start, she spent time with Blandford Bloodstock and agent Stuart Boman in Newmarket, trainer Ralph Nicks at Gulfstream, the Godolphin Marketing team in Dubai and Godolphin’s Crown Lodge in Sydney.
She graduated in 2018, joining Team Valor as COO. Berry and CEO Barry Irwin formed partnerships and managed horses on four continents.
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“Everybody’s been very supportive,” Berry says.
The partners believe the time is right. “The Horse Park had the first weekend in March available,” Berry adds. “We knew it was ambitious to put this together in essentially three months, but it’s a great date at the start of the (NSA) season.
“Plus, it’s still in the winter season of other equestrian disciplines in Ocala, plus, it’s right before the 2-year-old training sale.
They’re both excited for Saturday, a little relieved the planning process is almost over - for now, anyway. When asked about their duties on race day, Berry and Macauley answer almost simultaneously. “Putting out fires.”
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The Florida Steeplechase course – fully-irrigated, 1 1/16th-mile, left-handed – counts for “slightly rolling” by Florida standards, Macauley says, with a slight incline on the final turn. It’s otherwise level, across forgiving, well-drained sandy soil. The course was overseeded with annual rye, refreshing the mature turf on what’s the Horse Park’s main cross-country field.
The Florida Horse Park maintenance crew and a flotilla of professional-level maintenance equipment were critical to putting the track in order quickly. Cross-country jumps are “portables,” so that didn’t affect how they sited the racecourse.
Active horsemen and NSA reps Doug Fout and Jack Fisher inspected the facility a few weeks ago, Macauley says, and offered their expertise. He and Berry had borrowed horses and cantered and galloped around and around the big field for weeks before their visit, carefully considering all the angles to design the course.
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Turns are marked with cones, the homestretch with snow fence. There’s a long straightaway, making for lots of room for tailgate parking on the infield and on the outer rail. The permanent Horse Park stabling is a short walk from the saddling area in the homestretch.
NSA’s Bill Gallo and Rug Howard will be there Saturday as advisors. Experienced stewards, including a Florida state steward, will be in the stand.
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In addition to action on the track, there will be lots going on outside the rail. The Gentle Carousel miniature horses will be there for petting and a parade, along with a Clydesdale exhibition. Fashions On The Field, an infield fashion show, is sponsored by Odette.
The original painting created for the Florida Steeplechase by Janice Tindall of the Ocala Art Group will be signed by winning jockeys throughout race day and auctioned to the highest bidder after the last race.
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Florida Horse Park – Equestrian fairyland, south |
There are four Martin Collins fiber-footing arenas, a 90,000 square foot covered arena with sand and clay footing, a full-sized polo field and cross-country courses from intro level to FEI four-star level eventing. There are two grass arenas and combined driving courses including permanent driving obstacles.
More than 130 horse events – and dozens of ag and recreation sales events – are scheduled at the center year-round.
FHP hosts the Thoroughbred Transformation Expo, highlighting nine different disciplines (dressage, show jumping, hunter-jumper, eventing, polo, barrel racing and freestyle, for retired racehorses.)
FHP participates in the Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Incentive Program.
There are more than 300 permanent stalls in barns with full restrooms with showers.
Construction of the horse park was authorized by Florida’s legislature in 1994, but wasn’t built until 2005.
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All proceeds benefit the Florida Horse Park, a 501(c)3 charity.
Based on early ticket sales, Macauley expects about 1,000 spectators, maybe more, at the inaugural event. “I can imagine this place could, eventually, easily hold a (Virginia) Gold Cup-sized crowd” – 40 to 50,000.
“That’s the point – the Horse Park already hosts hundreds of horses and thousands of spectators (at other competitions,) and it runs totally smoothly.”
“We’ll be exposing ourselves to new eyes. The 2-year-old trainers have been very supportive, too,” Berry adds. The Florida Steeplechase runs 10 days before the Ocala Breeders Sales’ Company’s 2-year-olds in training sale, slated March 15-16. OBS is sponsoring one of the races.
This year there are no purses, but NSA and the other race meets are helping with shipping subsidies, Macauley says. Sponsorship money goes towards course development and race-day expenses. He believes next year will be different, with top prize money attracting top horses. “We want to put on great racing.”
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While at the races, can you guess the weight difference between a Clydesdale and a mini? The winner receives a fabulous gift basket from Elite Equestrian as well as a free Premier Tailgate for the 2023 Florida Steeplechase. |
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Macauley and Berry dreamed up the idea for a new jump meet a couple years ago on holiday in Kentucky with Berry’s family. They linked it to the Florida Horse Park after mentioning their plan to elite event rider Buck Davidson, who serves on the Florida Horse Park board.
Davidson put them in touch with Horse Park director Jason Reynolds. Reynolds invited the couple to visit, and the team began putting the pieces together early in 2020 with the aim of scheduling a meet the next year after the Steeplechase of Charleston in mid-November.
Covid put the plan on hold. But once they nailed down the March date with the Horse Park, Berry says support of the steeplechase community and Ocala community has been their motivating factor.
“The Horse Park has gone above and beyond to make this happen,” she says. “Jason and his team have used their machinery and expertise to help us design, create and maintain the course.
“The Ocala Chamber of Commerce was one of our first points of contact, and the local businesses and horsemen we’ve spoken to are all looking forward to the event.”
NSA horsemen, especially those based in Camden, South Carolina – winter or year-round, have pledged their support, too. Some former steeplechase horsemen who live in Florida have said they’re keen to get involved and participate or help out, Berry adds.
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Eventer Buck Davidson, son of legendary eventer and occasional steeplechase rider Bruce Davidson, is an OTTB proponent in the eventing world. Jak my Style, an unraced thoroughbred, competed in the inaugural Maryland 5 Star in October with Davidson, finishing 25th.
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Davidson calls steeplechasing “a perfect fit” for the multi-purpose facility, which since 2005 has hosted everything from western reining to FEI level dressage to combined driving and high-goal polo.
“I’ve always thought steeplechase racing and eventing (attract) the same kind of people,” fans of the thoroughbred breed that are, he says, somewhat addicted to running and jumping across the country, fast. “I think steeplechase owners would like to own event horses, and event owners might enjoy owning a steeplechase horse.
“Ocala is a place steeplechase racing needs to be because of (Florida’s) rich racing history. Every other equine sport is already here.”
Davidson understands jump racing from the inside: Buck Davidson won one of 19 jump races in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. His father, Olympian Bruce Davidson, won 14 of 53 starts from 1971-1993, riding some of the nation’s top timber horses – Cancottage, Morning Mac, Appolinax, Our Steeplejack and others.
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The Speakman's Our Steeplejack won the 1985 My Lady's Manor timber stake with Bruce Davidson in the irons (left, over the 8th fence next to Joy Carrier on Master Morris)
©Douglas Lees
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Once they had the location nailed down, Macauley and Berry realized the timeline was tight. “We had a location and a logo in November, not much else though,” Macauley admits. “We had quite a bit of work to do to pull this together.”
They met with steeplechase owner, one-time race rider and Races at Callaway Gardens chair Mason Lampton for insight into the minutia of running a race meet.
Lampton was almost as excited about the project as Macauley and Berry were.
They traveled to Lampton’s Columbus, Georgia home near the Callaway Gardens racecourse his father helped carve out of the golf resort more than 30 years ago. “We talked about everything under the sun,” Lampton says, “medical, ticket sales, fundraising, course design.
“I tried to emphasize – this is a demo, a proof of concept. Next year it’ll be better, the next year better yet. It’s rare to talk to anybody – especially their age, wanting to start a race meet. Archie and Jessica are very dynamic, very positive.
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The voice of the Florida Steeplechase: Craig Braddick |
Craig Braddick will call the races at Saturday’s Florida Steeplechase.
Braddick grew up near Newmarket, England, calling his first jump race when he was 15.
Braddick calls races at eight tracks.
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“You can’t get hung up on ‘well, it doesn’t look like Springdale, or whatever. No. This is a point-to-point this year. It’ll change, it’ll grow. Like I say to everybody, let’s set some cones around the cow field (so to speak) and build it out from from there.
“We need more folks like this in our sport. Take a chance, people. Keep everybody enthused.”
“We couldn’t have done this without Mason’s help,” Macauley says, plus backing from NSA, Temple Gwathmey Foundation and Steeplechase Owners and Trainers Association. “Mason has been with us every step of the way. He’s like our guardian angel.”
“It’s come together pretty well,” Macauley adds, “though we wake up a lot, in the middle of the night, worrying we’ve forgot something.”
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The horse and Florida, a long-lived love affair |
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Florida’s soft climate supports everything from thoroughbred breeding, racing and – now, steeplechasing, to showing, polo, rodeo, dressage, three-day, competitive driving, competitive trail and pleasure riding.
The Florida horse industry, including industry suppliers, generates an annual $6.8 billion economic impact on the state. Employment figures add up to 244,200 jobs.
Add horse-driven tourism, and the equestrian impact grows to $11.7 billion.
With a population of over 385,000 horses, Florida ranks as the third-largest equine state in the U.S.
Ocala Breeders Sales recorded over $1 billion in thoroughbred horse sales from 2010 to 2018.
Florida has no personal state income tax nor individual capital gains tax, making it business-friendly. Add to that there’s no tax on stallion seasons, horses are often exempt from sales tax and feed and horse health products are exempt from state sales taxes, and you have what many equine professionals view as horse heaven.
The limestone-rich soil and spring-fed aquifers have been compared to Kentucky’s bluegrass region and northern Virginia’s horse country when considering where to foal mares and raise healthy young horses for any competition career.
Florida is home to over 600 Thoroughbred horse farms and training centers, with more than 100,000 thoroughbreds living at least part of the year in the state.
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Florida even has its own boutique breed of horse – the Florida Cracker Horse is a rare breed, originating from stock loosed by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. The small, sturdy horses, known for their speed and agility, were used primarily for herding cattle.
The genetic heritage of the Cracker is similar to the Paso Fino and mustang. The name comes from the “crack” of a bull whip since they were initially used for cow work.
When farmers began using the larger and stronger American Quarter Horse for cattle work, the Crackers dwindled precipitously. Today, they are back up to more than 1,000 registered Cracker Horses, due to a dedicated group of supporters.
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Racing in Florida – Jumps and more |
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Until the March 5 Florida Steeplechase, it has been many years since the Sunshine state has hosted jump racing.
Former National Steeplechase Association assistant racing secretary Peter McGivney says there were four tracks with hurdle races from 1985 to 2009:
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Palm Beach Steeplechase – 1984, 1985, 2008, 2009
Photo: John P. Ryan's Publisher, Colvin (Gregg) Ryan up, duels for the early lead in the 1984 Kidder Peabody allowance hurdle with the eventual winner, Calvin Houghland's The Hall of Famer, George Sloan up. ©Ludien Capehart / NSA archives
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Calder Racecourse – 1999. 2000, 2001
Photo: The NSA featured its latest (and most southern) closing day in history in 1999 as Miami's Calder Race Course hosted the jumpers on December 5. Augustin Stables' Sundin (#2, Jonathan Kiser, up) won the $50,000 stakes. ©Jean Rafferty / NSA archives
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Tampa Bay Downs – 2000, 2001
Photo: On Saturday, March 4, 2000, Brushwood Stable's Red Classic (Sean Clancy, up) enjoyed the fresh footing of Tampa Bay Downs' acclaimed turf course while winning a $25,000 Sport of Kings maiden for trainer Chuck Lawrence. ©Ellen Humes / NSA archives
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Little Everglades Steeplechase – 2001-2007
Photo: Owner-trainer John Griggs shipped veteran Election to Florida, and was rewarded with a big effort. Craig Thornton guided the eight-year-old up the Little Everglades stretch for an eight-length win in a $20,000 claimer in March 2001. ©Ellen Humes / NSA archives
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Flat racing has a longer history there. |
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Gulfstream Park – Opened in 1939; winter meet runs through April 3
Photo, from Bloodhorse, of the Gulfstream Park paddock
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Hialeah – Opened in 1922 (as a greyhound track); Miami Jockey Club launched thoroughbred racing here in 1925; closed in 2001; re-opened in 2009 for quarter horse racing
Read more about Hialeah's comeback HERE. Website HERE.
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Tampa Bay Downs – Opened in 1926 (as Tampa Downs); runs year-round
Tampa Bay Downs website HERE.
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Calder Racecourse – Opened in 1971; Closed as Calder, re-opened as Gulfstream Park West in 2014; closed in 2020
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Others defunct Florida tracks include Seminole Downs, Gator Downs, Pompano Park (opened in 1964; expected to close for good when the current harness meet ends in May, photo below courtesy of Pompano Park) |
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In 1956, Needles became the first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby. |
Two-time champion Needles in the 1956 Kentucky Derby winner's circle. (BloodHorse photo); from America's Best Racing
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