2024 Maryland Grand National

121st Grand National Steeplechase

April 20, 2024, Butler, Maryland

This year saw the Grand National team lay out a new course. With the extended loop across the driveway to the east now off limits, the course is more visible but has a sharp left into the hardened second fence. The riders and spectators seemed to enjoy the day immensely with great racing and terrific weather under bluebird skies. The Grand National always has a close-knit neighborhood feel the race directors strive to uphold, and I believe they succeeded.

Above is Freddie Proctor atop the Butler Yates over the fourth fence in the Grand National Maiden Timber. The house in the background is host to the races, but rarely does anyone but a film crew see this fence. To my regret, I never made it across the driveway to photograph the fences on the other side which are now only in the historic memories of riders and horses.

The Butler Yates, ridden by Freddie Procter over the fifth fence of the Grand National Maiden Timber

Greg Morris, Presiding Steward from the National Steeplechase Association, discusses the rules and course in a pre-race meeting

Grand National Co-Chair Ned Worthington

Jockies Teddy Davies, Conor Tierney, and Freddie Proctor. Whitney Schweizer on right

Teddy, Freddie, Charlie Marshall, and Conor check the new course map, again, and again.

Wagering on a race

Trainer Joe Davies shows a young fan how a companion donkey, Francisco, helps calm the racehorses

Fence #6 of the 121st Maryland Grand National, first year on the new course

Great Road ridden by Eric Poretz

#1 Great Road, Eric Poretz; #4 Shootist ridden by Freddie Procter

#4 Shootist ridden by Freddie Procter

#4 Shootist ridden by Freddie Procter; #6 Awesome Adrian with Teddy Davies

#6 Awesome Adrian with Teddy Davies

#6 Awesome Adrian ridden by Teddy Davies; #5 Goodoldtimes ridden by Dan Nevins

#3 Road to Oz ridden by Brett Owings; #6 Awesome Adrian ridden by Teddy Davies; #5 Goodoldtimes ridden by Dan Nevins

#2 Withoutmoreado ridden by Conor Tierney; #3 Road to Oz ridden by Brett Owings; #5 Goodoldtimes ridden by Dan Nevins

Fence #14 of the Maryland Grand National

#6 Awesome Adrian, Teddy Davies

#1 Great Road, Eric Poretz; #3 Road to Oz, Brett Owings

#4 Shootist, Freddie Procter

Much of my time at the races is spent sitting next to a fence, out of view of the entire event, waiting for the race to start. A very pleasant way to spend a Spring day in the Maryland countryside, as this outrider is doing as well.

Second Race, The 3rd Grand National Maiden Timber

Fence #5

#4 Take Profit ridden by Dan Nevin

#4 Take Profit, Dan Nevin

#1 The Butler Yates, Freddie Procter; #3 Island Nation, Conor Tierney; #2 The Ballybreen Fox, Teddy Davies

#3 Island Nation, Conor Tierney; #2 The Ballybreen Fox, Teddy Davies

Adjusting tack at the stables

Weigh in after the race

Sam Robinson at his easel capturing the day in paint

Third Race - The 58th Benjamin H. Murray Memorial Steeplechase

Fence #3

#4 Wagner ridden by Freddie Procter, #6 Brooklyn Speights with Dan Nevin, #1 Rocket Star Red, Brett Owings

#6 Brooklyn Speights with Dan Nevin, #1 Rocket Star Red, Brett Owings

#4 Wagner ridden by Freddie Procter, #6 Brooklyn Speights with Dan Nevin, #1 Rocket Star Red, Brett Owings, #5 Blackhall with Charlie Marshall, #3 Mr Fine Threads, Teddy Davies

#1 Rocket Star Red, Brett Owings, #5 Blackhall with Charlie Marshall, #3 Mr Fine Threads, Teddy Davies

#3 Mr. Fine Threads, Teddy Davies

#2 Queens Empire ridden by Whitney Schweizer

Eleventh Fence, Benjamin H. Murray Memorial Steeplechase

#1 Wagner, Freddie Procter

#5 Blackhall, Charlie Marshall

#3 Mr. Fine Threads, Teddy Davies

#6 Brooklyn Speights, Dan Nevin

A quick recounting of the last race before the next

Discussions of the field before the trophy award

Winner's Circle Discussion after the Maiden Timber

A great looking couple enjoying the race day

Horses and Smiles go together everywhere

Fourth Race - The 19th Running of the Western Run Plate II

#3 Paddy's Crown, Charlie Marshall; #1 Chosen Mate ridden by McClane Hendriks

#1 Chosen Mate, McClane Hendriks

Eighth Fence - Western Run Plate II

Steeplechases occur once annually. Which means any experimentation means missing the image entirely for another year. But each year, I make at least one attempt to slow the shutter speed to show the speed of the horses and jockeys over the fences. For the Western Run Plate, the last race of the day, at least one of these works really well. Teddy Davies had the lead on Bogey’s Image, and the horse’s face is perfectly in focus while every thought else is a blur of motion. Teddy went on to win the race, his third victory in a day of only four races. A great outcome for Teddy, and a great day for all lucky enough to watch in person.

#2 Bogey's Image, Teddy Davies

#3 Paddy's Crown, Charlie Marshall

#1 Chosen Mate, McClane Hendriks

#4 Master Seville, Brett Owings

#1 McClane Hendriks over the 15th of the Western Run Plate II on Chosen Mate

Charlie Marshall on Paddy's Crown