This year will be the 26th running of the Queen’s Cup in Mineral Springs, North Carolina, and once again it is set to be a yearly highlight for many people. The event continues to attract both keen horse racing fans and many people who enjoy the social aspect of the event.
As ever, the race day takes place on the last Saturday in April. As ever, a big crowd is expected to attend this year’s meeting. Here is everything you need to know.
Feature Race Is a Steeplechase
Noble Yeats and @swaleycohen win the 2022 Grand National! pic.twitter.com/Bm1y9qcV54
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 9, 2022
Steeplechase racing is not as common in the United States as it is in places like the UK and Ireland. The most famous steeplechase in the world is the Grand National. You may have seen Noble Yeats win that race in 2022. Like the Queen’s Cup, that contest takes place in April and last year’s winner is the horse racing odds +800 favorite to prevail again in 2023.
The most prestigious steeplechase in the world is the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs is the +150 favorite in the Cheltenham Festival betting to win that contest this year. He could be set to establish himself as the most exciting chaser in the world.
The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase, won in 2022 by French Light, is a novice chase that is run over the distance of two and 3/8 miles. It features horses with very little experience in jumping fences. The winner of this race tends to go on to compete in major national prizes later in the year.
Events On the Day
There are a total of five races on the Queen’s Cup race day schedule, but the afternoon is not just about the racing – there are lots of activities to get involved in.
The hat contest is one of the competitions which has sat on the schedule since the first year of the event. You can register to enter between 10.00 am-11.30 am. The only rule is that your hat needs to be hand decorated. There are prizes for the best men’s and women’s hats.
Before you arrive on the course, you can take part in a tailgate. Just like you may have seen outside of the Bank of American Stadium before a Carolina Panthers NFL game, fans gather in the car park and enjoy food and drink together. Prizes are also given to the ‘Most Elegant’, ‘Most Creative’, and ‘Most Whimsical’ tailgate.
Dress Code
Although there is no official dress code, it is advised to wear comfortable shoes on the day and to check the weather beforehand. Hopefully, the sun will be shining for this year’s event.
Some racegoers like to bring a foldable chair with them which they can use on the lawn at the racecourse. There is some seating around the track, but bringing your own seats ensures you can move around across the afternoon.
Food and drink are sold at the racecourse, but you can bring your own if you want to have a picnic.
Have a great time if you are heading to the Queen’s Cup this year. Hopefully, you enjoy it so much that you are left counting down the days to the 2024 event.
