Results: 76th Tryon Block House Steeplechase
Go Poke The Bear Commands Victory in Highlight Tryon Block House Race with Jamie Bargary in the Irons
Jimmy Dan Takes Cannon Harmon Memorial Maiden Claiming Hurdle Opener with Graham Watters
Maiden Hurdle Win Secured For Gerald Galligan and Tufton Avenue in Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Race
Icandothat and Sean McDermott Lead the Field to a Win in Carter P. Brown Perpetual Trophy Claiming Hurdle
Recent Revelations Picks Up Dr. John Bradshaw Flat Race Win with Harrison Beswick Aboard
For Immediate Release
Rette Solomon and Sarah Madden for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - April 19, 2024 - the 76th Tryon Block House Steeplechase hosted more than 3,000 people at the Green Creek Race Course in Green Creek, NC, just minutes from the Tryon International Equestrian Center (Tryon International) and the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club (TR&HC), who partner to produce the historic steeplechase event each spring. Five races took place on good turf track conditions around the 1.16-mile irrigated track. Read below to view results from the races and spectator contests.
Go Poke The Bear Commands Victory in Highlight Tryon Block House Race with Jamie Bargary in the Irons
The fourth race of the day was the Tryon Block House Race, a $35,000 Ratings Handicap Hurdle Race and the feature contest of the day. Setting a fast tempo for the rest of the field, Jamie Bargary and Go Poke The Bear led gate to wire to win the Jennifer and Roger Smith Perpetual Trophy.
Jamie Bargary and Go Poke The Bear
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
Committed to staying at the front of the pack, Bargary used this same strategy that earned him and the 8-year-old Kitten’s Joy gelding a win last season. “Throughout the day, the winners seemed to be coming from the front,” Bargary remarked. “My lad [Go Poke The Bear] won at Colonial Downs before, from the front, so I thought I’d keep it simple. We jumped out, never missed a hurdle, and he was brave as a bear down to the last. He went and won like he should! We’re all delighted.”
Jamie Bargary and representatives from Go Poke The Bear Syndicate LLC were presented with the Jennifer and Roger Smith Perpetual Trophy, celebrating the winners of the Tryon Block House Race. This trophy celebrates the wonderful co-founders of the Tryon International Equestrian Center, Roger and Jennifer Smith (pictured, right) who led the vision of bringing the steeplechase to its exciting new venue, the Green Creek Race Course, in an effort to give competitors and spectators alike the best experience possible.
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
Bargary noted the effect that recent rain showers had on the turf. “The track was perfect. It’s a very fast track, and we’re lucky that there was rain all week, because it just slowed it down a bit.”
Jimmy Dan Takes Cannon Harmon Memorial Maiden Claiming Hurdle Opener with Graham Watters
Kicking off the first of five races at the 76th Tryon Block House Steeplechase, Graham Watters and the Riverdee Stable’s entry Jimmy Dan conquered the field in the Cannon Harmon Memorial Cup, a $20,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle. Riding under the guidance of trainer Jack Fisher, Jimmy Dan, the 6-year-old gelding by Kitten’s Joy, was best out of a total of nine runners over two miles.
The Green Creek Race Track was primed for competition. “The course is riding really well,” noted Watters. “The irrigation system they have for the water does an amazing job. The footing is beautiful – there’s sunshine and plenty of green grass.”
Graham Watters and Jimmy Dan
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
Watters also elaborated on how Jimmy Dan’s speed and ability across the turf aided in the team’s win. “Tryon has a sharp track, and it favors frontrunners. My guy is having his first official run over jumps, but he’s got some pretty good form on the flat, so I tried to use his engine and jump out in front. He jumped great for me and stayed on it.”
The Cannon Harmon Memorial Trophy is sponsored by Susan Petty and memorializes her accomplished and joyful son, Cannon Harmon, who shared his love of life with friends and family on steeplechase day. Graham Watters and crew pictured with Cannon Harmon’s family and friends.
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
“We had a great turnout today! It’s been a fantastic crowd,” Watters observed. “We can hear people shouting along as we go to the start. It’s a great atmosphere, and it’s a really fun race for me to come to.”
Maiden Hurdle Win Secured For Gerald Galligan and Tufton Avenue in Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Race
Maintaining a solid lead for the majority of the TR&HC Mulberry Farm Cup, a $30,000 maiden hurdle, Green Valley Construction’s Tufton Avenue piloted by Gerald Galligan emerged victorious. Piloting the Irish-bred 7-year-old gelding by Valirann, the race marked the mount’s first event on American soil.
Tufton Avenue briefly lost the lead to Kelmscott and Jamie Bargary, with Galligan recovering the team’s position in the final 2 ¼ furlongs. Graham Watters, aboard Smart Uncle, tailed Galligan and Tufton Avenue down to the last hurdle, with the winning pair taking the race by ¾ of a length.
Gerald Galligan and Tufton Avenue
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
Galligan took the initiative to conserve his mount’s strength over the two mile course. “I set off in front. I thought it was a little too fast, so I just popped back to second to save my energy,” he explained. “We had a lovely run, and then I just committed for home, and thankfully no one caught me. This is [his] first run in America, so it was a great way to start!”
The Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Mulberry Farm Cup commemorates the Tryon farm built by George S. Brannon that welcomed the U.S. showjumping and three-day eventing Olympic team members who competed here in the official team selection trials in 1956 and 1957. The Mulberry Farm Trophy, named for the family farm, was established in 2017 by Mr. and Mrs. Andrew H. Brannon as a tribute to four generations of active participation in and support for the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club and the local equestrian community.
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
“The track rode perfectly today,” Galligan noted. “I think the rain in recent weeks helped – [the course] was lovely and safe for the horses. It’s in great condition.”
Icandothat and Sean McDermott Lead the Field to a Win in Carter P. Brown Perpetual Trophy Claiming Hurdle
Sean McDermott’s black and white silks blazed through the third race of the Tryon Block House Steeplechase, piloting Icandothat to the win in the Carter Brown Perpetual Trophy for owner Vivian E. Rail.
Pulling away at the last fence to win by a comfortable three lengths, Sean McDermott only had praise for his mount. “Icandothat is a very nice horse. We won with him in his last start last year, and his lovely owner Vivian Rail kindly told us we could come down here.”
Sean McDermott and Icandothat
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
McDermott and the 5-year-old gelding by Divining Rod took a commanding lead from the start and maintained it through the duration of the two mile conditioned claiming hurdle. “[Icandothat] loves this course, and the course is beautiful. We got away in the front and jumped well. Hopefully we’re onto Foxfield in two weeks time,” the jockey shared following his win.
The Carter P. Brown Memorial Trophy is named for the founder of the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club who ran (and won) the first local 'chase in 1934 and is celebrated by the community for his essential role in establishing Tryon's rich equestrian heritage. Presented on race day by Angie Williams of Land Rover Asheville, middle.
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
The Green Creek Race Track turf complimented Icandothat’s speed, McDermott mentioned. “The footing was lovely. It’s holding now, because of the rain and the dry weather, so it’s kind of ‘lose your Wellington boot’ – but my horse liked it, and was fit enough to get it done!”
“I’m thrilled!” McDermott said of his win. “Thank you to everyone here, and to the sponsors. It’s been really nice!”
Recent Revelations Picks Up Dr. John Bradshaw Flat Race Win with Harrison Beswick Aboard
In the only training flat race of the day, it was Del Rio Racing LLC’s Recent Revelations that took the final win at the Green Creek Race Track. Partnered with Harrison Beswick, 8-year-old Irish-bred gelding by Moohaajim crossed the wire first to win the Dr. John Bradshaw Memorial Trophy by half a length. Guest track announcer Eric Vergara, who is just 13 years old, took over commentating duties to close out the 76th Tryon Block House Steeplechase.
With the turf holding strong through the last race, Beswick commented that “the course has been riding very nice.”
Harrison Beswick and Recent Revelations
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
Despite no money on the line, the contest over the flat was still valuable for preparation for future events. “There were three pretty experienced horses in that race, and it was sort of a prep run for their next start over hurdles,” Beswick explained.
The Dr. John S. Bradshaw Memorial Trophy is dedicated to a beloved local surgeon whose leadership of the Block House steeplechase from 1966-1978 brought thousands more spectators to enjoy the community's big day.
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
Settled in the back of the three-horse pack for much of the race, Recent Revelations stalked China Beach and Seismic Wave until pulling ahead at the top of the final sprint. Beswick elaborated that this win puts Recent Revelations in good condition for upcoming races. “It was just perfect,” Beswick shared. “We went at a nice gallop. I really like my horse, and he will go to Foxfield in a few weeks time. He did exactly what I was hoping to do, and that puts him spot on.”
Spectator Contests:
The Tailgate Contest presented by Van Winkle Law Firm resulted in a win for Lena Kuzmenko and crew at Orange 46. The Annual Hats and Pants Contests were presented by WTZQ, Judged by Angie Williams of Land Rover Asheville.
Tailgate contest winners with their prize pack
©Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Hats and Pants Contest Winners with Mark Warwick and Paige Posey of WTZQ Radio.
©Madison Ibach for Tryon International
For full results from the Tryon Block House Steeplechase, click here.
Photos ©Shannon Brinkman Photography unless otherwise noted. These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.