Race Day is Saturday, October 22, 2011

View the Race Map

The Far Hills Race Meeting traces its origins to the Essex Hunt, a fox hunting event founded in Montclair, NJ in 1870.

In the tradition of these clubs, the Essex Fox Hounds established an event to thank the farmers and landowners who allowed them to hunt on their property.

In 1916, the event moved from the original club site to the Grant B. Schley estate — today known as Moorland Farm. Eventually becoming the Far Hills Race Meeting, the races have been continually run—with the exception of a short hiatus during World War II—on the same site.

Today, more than 40,000 spectators converge each fall on the rolling hills of Moorland Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey for the state’s biggest social event of the fall season - The Far Hills Race Meeting. October 22, 2011 will mark the 91st running of this timeless tradition, featuring the finest steeplechasers in the world competing against a backdrop of autumn splendor.

This world-class event mixes society with sport, bringing families, race enthusiasts, organizations and corporations together for a day of racing, high fashion, food, networking and celebration. Total race day purses will equal $550,000, with six races offering the highest purses on the National Steeplechase Association circuit.

Thousands of individuals and corporation purchase the many hospitality and branding opportunities that are offered. Family and friends create unique and often extravagant fall picnic areas, complete with beautiful floral center pieces, haybale seating, ice carvings and culinary feasts. For many visitors, the Race Meeting is a time-honored tradition and reunion of family and friends. The Far Hills Race Meeting is held rain or shine.

Since the 1950’s, this unique annual event has raised over $17 million for Somerset Medical Center and in 2007 contributed to the opening of the Steeplechase Cancer Center. The Race Meeting has profoundly impacted the medical center’s growth and ability to offer comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical services to New Jersey residents.