Virginia Gold Cup’s 100th Running
Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by 22Gates Photography
On Saturday, May 3, the 100th running of the Virginia Gold Cup was held at Great Meadow in The Plains. The event drew huge crowds, showcased intense competition, and offered the opportunity to reflect on the storied history of the races.
Organized by eight local sportsmen, the first running in May 1922 consisted of nine horses running a single race on a four-mile course at the Oakwood estate off Waterloo Road in Warrenton. It would move to Broadview Farm in 1924 and officially follow national steeplechase rules that year as well.
The race would be paused during World War II and resume with a new generation of legendary riders. Of note, brothers D.M. “Mikey” Smithwick and A.P. “Paddy” Smithwick would join the Hall of Fame for running five Gold Cup winners between them. In 1967, Leeds Don, ridden by Joe Aitchenson, would be the first horse to accomplish a triple win. Aitchenson would go on to win eight Virginia Gold Cups on eight different horses, solidifying his place in the Hall of Fame. Following Leeds Don’s success, competition between Paul Mellon, Senator John Warner, and Dr. Joe Rogers would become the event’s most memorable rivalry, with the Cup passing between them.
After 50 years at Broadview, the race moved to Great Meadow in 1985 for its 60th running. Forty years later, the appeal of the event hasn’t wavered. From the wiener dog race in the paddock to the hat contest at the Winner’s Circle, along with the gourmet tailgating and first-class steeplechase, the Gold Cup has something for everyone and maintains its popularity year over year.
“I just look forward to the energy of it,” shares Chris Morris. Morris has been the hornsman for the Gold Cup for the past 16 years. He says, “I love going. I enjoy it; my family enjoys it; my friends enjoy it. They’ll have me for the foreseeable future playing ‘Call to Post.’”
Trainers Sam Cockburn and Julie Gomena are familiar faces at the races, too. Of the races, Gomena says, “Whether it’s a hundred years or not, Gold Cup is a special place to race. It’s such a great venue, the course is lovely, the crowds of people — it’s always fun.”
Cockburn adds, “It’s a great way for people from outside of our world to get to come and see our sport. The finishes are always good, and the races are always very good. [Spectators] get to see the best racing in the country here.”
Cockburn’s former horse, Keys Discount, contributed to the excitement for the 2025 running. Now owned by Jack Fisher, Keys Discount won the $100,000 2025 Virginia Gold Cup by a measure of two lengths. Graham Watters was the jockey.
And there to capture the action year after year is photographer Tony Gibson of 22Gates Photography. His dynamic field shots and snaps of the crowd do a better job of illustrating the excitement of the Gold Cup than words ever could. For more of his incredible captures of the 100th running, visit MiddleburgLife.com. ML
Look back at the Gold Cup through the years with photos from Douglas Lees, and find even more coverage of the 100th running with a gallery from Middleburg Life photographer Joanne Maisano.
Published in the June 2025 issue of Middleburg Life.