2025 Maryland Hunt Cup

Above: Conor Tierney shouts as he cross the wire first on Road to Oz, winning the 2025 Maryland Hunt Cup. It was fairly tight finish, and crowd behind shouted through the final sprint.

Below: If Northern Baltimore County had a red carpet, it might be at the Hunt Cup Subscriber lot where the waiting list is years long, with some familiar faces in these cars to steeplechase fans.

**Riders Will Biddick, Teddy Davies, and Charlie Marshall**

**Geoffrey Hyde, a consistent presence at the steeplechases, always with a smile and greeting spectators while mounted on his splendid horse.**

One of the great privileges of walking around the steeplechases with a camera is to see the goings on behind the scenes - walking the course, in stables a mile from the starting line and far from the celebratory crowd. The veterinary team evaluates the horses, the owners speak with jockeys, while some of the trainers tell stories to an attentive crowd.

It is an event of tradition, and one tradition that the Hunt Cup in particular has is of walking the course. Other races also have walks, but my observation is that more people walk the Hunt Cup than others, often with drink in hand. Many attendees walk at least a solid section of the course, while all the jockeys do, but without drinks.

Above, perched on the 13th, is Virginia Korrell who rode Queens Empire, walking the course with her parents. And then Jordan Canavan, an Irish rider on Monbeg Stream, walked the course, cursing the heat and wishing he’d brought shorts. As a true Marylander would know, it wasn’t hot. The rather temperate 70s degree day was very pleasant, only marred by the 70% humidity.

It struck me in the moment, and again while going through all the images the once recurring theme throughout the day - smiles. It’s an early spring day, the weather is turning. Cell phones just straight up don’t work, and there is a solemnity and respect for the Maryland Hunt Cup itself for all the volunteers, owners, riders, and those deeply steeped in the history. And there is the crowd - perhaps a bit less serious.

Initial weigh-ins occur early in the day; five-year olds 160 pounds, six years old and upwards 165 pounds. As post time nears, the horses are walked around the paddock for all to see. Trainers and jockeys have a last conference, while owners nervously pace as they and their horses know the start will soon be upon them. During the pre-race meeting, race officials remain all of the rules, and any specific course conditions to be aware of. There are a few jokes, but it is a generally serious affair with rules repeated, and reminders of the important for the safety of horse, jockey, and spectators discussed.