Steeplechase Champions 2010

Congratulations to all the 2010 National Steeplechase Association champions. I've had the privilege to photograph a fair number of the winners but not nearly as many as I would have expected considering that Virginia hosts far more sanctioned steeplechase meets than any other state, fourteen in 2010. But here are some photos of those that I was lucky enough to shoot.

Slip Away won the National Steeplechase championship this year, earning $191,500. Sadly he only raced once in Virginia this year at one of only two sanctioned meets I did not photograph. Here he is last year winning the Noel Laing hurdle stakes race at Montpelier.


Bubble Economy was the champion timber horse, shown here winning the Virginia Gold Cup with Paddy Young.


Ptarmigan was the filly and mare's champion, seen here winning at Foxfield with Jeff Murphy.


The leading jockey in terms of both number of races and money won, was Paddy Young. Here he is at Morven Park.


And riding Love Colony.


Darren Nagle was the amateur jockey champion with ten wins. Here he is on Dubai Sunday at Colonial Downs.


And also on Coupe de Ville.


Roddy Mackenzie was the leading apprentice jockey for the year. Winning at Colonial Downs.


And riding at Morven Park


Irv Naylor was this year's leading owner. Here he accepts the cup for Decoy Daddy's win in the Noel Laing Memorial Stakes race this year at Montpelier.


The winning trainer was Jonathan Sheppard, who is in the Racing Hall of Fame and this year reached his 1,000th career victory over fences. Here he is at Colonial Downs following Barnstorming's win.


Again, congratulations!