A rich history of international involvement characterizes the International Gold Cup Races, the highlight of the fall steeplechase season. The International Gold Cup itself, Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia, has had a long and interesting journey en route to its present home.

The first International Gold Cup was held in 1930 at Grasslands Downs in Tennessee over a 4¼ mile brush course, similar to the English Grand National course at Aintree. That year, the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, then one of the world’s most gallant riders and sportmen, placed the spectacularly beautiful gold trophy in competition which is still awarded annually to the winner. After the Tennessee race meet ended in 1932, the event was moved to the Rolling Rock Hunt Meet course in Pennsylvania, a course built by General Richard King Mellon, who had won the 1931 race in Tennessee. Race was again relocated after the 1983 running to the Great Meadow racecourse after the Rolling Rock Hunt Meet’s racecourse feel victim to the land development.

On October 20, 1984, before a crowd of 8,500 with some 80 horses on a seven-race card the International Gold Cup started a new chapter. In keeping with Virginia’s tradition of being the nation’s leader of timber racing, the International Gold Cup became a timber race. In 1989, the International Gold Cup race was awarded stakes designation by the National Steeplechase Association.

Today, the International Gold Cup presented by Porsche attracts 35,000 spectators and features the Fegentri World Cup of Nation’s where the top international amateur jockeys vying for the series title.