The Brandywine Conservancy celebrates a successful running of the 93rd Radnor Hunt Races
Chadds Ford, PA, May 21, 2024 — A rainy day set the stage for another successful running of the Radnor Hunt Races on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Supporting the open space and clean water programs of the Brandywine Conservancy, the annual steeplechase event celebrated its 93rd year with the finest thoroughbred horses, riders and trainers from across the country competing in six thrilling jump races sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association and the prestige of $150,000 in purse money. The day also featured the fourth annual Katherine W. Illoway Memorial Invitational Sidesaddle Race, the return of the adorable pony races, and the crowd favorite parade of foxhounds.
Built on a rich history of horse racing that has been cultivated in this region for nearly 100 years, the Radnor Hunt Races are supported by the legacy of permanently protecting the stunning open spaces that make this region such a beautiful place to call home. For over 40 years, the Radnor Hunt Races has been “Racing for Open Space” in support of the Brandywine Conservancy’s open space and clean water programs. Since 1967, the Conservancy has protected over 70,200 acres of open space—including the Radnor Hunt racecourse itself and surrounding lands. As a key fundraiser for the Conservancy each year, the Radnor Hunt Races also supports the organization’s critical work to improve and safeguard water quality, as well as its efforts to provide innovative community planning services to municipalities, engage landowners in stewardship of their land, and pursue new perspectives on climate resiliency and sustainability in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware.
"Every year, the Radnor Hunt Races continues to grow and flourish thanks to our generous sponsors, partners, purse donors, and patrons who join us in ‘Racing for Open Space’ in support of the Brandywine Conservancy,” said Christy Wray Greenberg, Associate Director of Fundraising Events and Sponsorship for the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. “We are so grateful for their continued support of this time-honored and beloved tradition in our region. We also thank our staff, the Radnor Hunt Races committee, Willistown Boy Scout Troop 78, and the dozens of other volunteers who work so hard to make this annual event possible each year.”
To date, the event has raised over $5.6 million for the Conservancy’s clean water and open space programs. Held annually on the third Saturday in May, the Radnor Hunt Races will return for its 94th year on May 17, 2025, in Willistown Township, Chester County. For more information, visit www.radnorhuntraces.org.
The 93rd Radnor Hunt Races were made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors and purse donors. Corporate sponsors include RDS Automotive Group, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Black Stallion Estate Winery / Woodford Reserve, Revivalist Garden Gin, Berkadia, dfYOUNG, Fox Rothschild, Lockton, Volpe Koenig, Blade Logistics Capital, Porsche Main Line, RDS INEOS Grenadier, Lighting by Design, Aqua, & Apogee Insurance Group. Additional support was provided by the Race’s event sponsors, including Blade and Bow — Cocktail Sponsor; Cherry Knoll Farm — Jump Sponsor; Bechtel Excavating, Brosnan Dental, Brown Advisory, National Bank of Malvern, Warren Claytor Architects — Pony Races Sponsors; and 1883 Foundation — Sidesaddle Race Sponsor. Media partners include Today Media—Delaware Today, Main Line Today, and The Hunt—and County Lines Magazine. Additional thanks go out to Alliance Productions, Carol Atterbury, Elizabeth Atterbury, Brandywine Electronics, Mamie Duff, Fenceworks, David L . Hain, Anne and Matt Hamilton, Peace Products, Radnor Hunt Pony Club, Rajant, Stoney Bank Nurseries, Willistown Troop 78, and Wrong Crowd Beer Company.
About the Brandywine Conservancy:
The Brandywine Conservancy protects water, conserves land, and engages communities. The Conservancy uses a multi-faceted approach to conservation. Staff work with private landowners who wish to see their lands protected forever and provide innovative community planning services to municipalities and other governmental agencies. The Conservancy currently holds more than 510 conservation and agricultural easements and has facilitated the permanent preservation of over 70,200 acres of land. The Conservancy is a program of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
About the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art:
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art preserves and promotes the natural and cultural connections between the area’s beautiful landscape, historic sites, and important artists. The Conservancy protects the lands and waters throughout the Brandywine Valley and other priority conservation areas, developing sustainable approaches to emerging needs and assuring preservation of majestic open spaces and protection of natural resources for generations to come. The Museum of Art presents and collects historic and contemporary works of American art, engaging and exciting visitors of all ages through an array of exhibitions and programs. The Brandywine unites the inspiring experiences of art and nature, enhancing the quality of life in its community and among its diverse audiences.
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