What to know about Maryland’s other big horse race, the 129th Hunt Cup

The 2023 winner lost his rider in the 2024 version and just missed against Road To Oz in last year’s race. While Davies conjures up crystal balls, Neilson plays tennis or runs the Pennsylvania roads to take her mind off the task at hand.

“For an hour and a half, while I’m doing another sport, I’m not nervous. The rest of the time, I’m nervous. He doesn’t seem to be worried at all,” the trainer said. “Ado is incredibly genuine. He’s so brave, nothing scares him. And also a tinch of crazy in there. You need a little of that. Look, I’m lucky to have a horse like him, I’ve got a good rider, good owners, and I’m grateful to be involved in the tradition.”

Neilson’s sister, Sanna, continues the tradition as well. The two-time winning jockey and two-time winning trainer has Royal Ruse for his fourth attempt at the Hunt Cup. The 12-year-old finished fourth in 2021, second in 2023 and lost his rider at the 12th fence in 2024. Hereford High senior James Wyatt rides his first Hunt Cup.

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“It takes years to get here. I’ve trained Royal Ruse for eight years,” Neilson said. “You are pointing for one specific race 365 days a year. I’ve approached this race a lot of ways and now I try to really enjoy the whole process and appreciate that we are even contending. I’m sure if you asked every trainer in the race, they feel the same way I feel about my horse. They’re all wonderful horses to train and have all the great qualities. I have always trained because I love the horse. When you have one for eight years, that’s pretty special.”

Road to Oz will aim to defend his title. Dan Nevin, a winner in 2021, replaces Conor Tierney aboard the Maryland-bred champ for trainer Mark Beecher.

Shootist missed winning the Hunt Cup by a neck in 2024. Jockey Elizabeth Scully and trainer Todd McKenna seek their first Hunt Cup wins.

If you’re looking for a thrill, pacesetter Monbeg Stream will take you a long way. Last year, the Irish-bred opened up a huge lead before fading to fourth. Irish rider Paddy Barlow makes his Hunt Cup debut for trainer Leslie Young.

The Butler Yeats, Storm Team and Animal Kingston will also make their Hunt Cup debuts.

What you need to know

One race, and one race only. If that sounds boring, you’ve never seen the race. And you’ve never walked the course. Get there early, stand up close to a few of the 22 fences and gain newfound respect. Gates open at 11:00 a.m., but be careful cracking open the Duckpin early; post time is 4 p.m. Tufton Avenue closes to all traffic at 3 p.m. Pre-purchase parking tickets only. No concessions, picnicking is encouraged — and celebrated. No drones, no dogs, no open flames, no balloons, no overnight parking. The course is located at 2700 Tufton Avenue in Reisterstown. Enjoy. Go to marylandhuntcup.com for more information.

Have a news tip? Contact Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13.

From left, Dan Nevin and Tufton Avenue jump next to Virginia Korrell on Minella Plus in The John Rush Streett Memorial Steeplechase, the second race in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase. Beecher won the race and Korrell took second place. (Kim Hairston/staff) Sophie O’Brien on De Nordener, Darren Andrews on Monbeg Stream and Hunter Holm on Recoup race to the finish line in The John D. Schapiro Memorial Steeplechase, the fourth race in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase. O’Brien won, Holm took second and Andrews finished third. (Kim Hairston/staff) Teddy Davies on Bogey’s Image crosses the line first, but Darren Andrews riding Uco Valley was awarded first place in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase after a lengthy steward’s inquiry. (Kim Hairston/staff) Sophie O’Brien shakes hands with trainer Joseph Davies after winning The John D. Schapiro Memorial Steeplechase, the fourth race in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase, aboard De Nordener. (Kim Hairston/staff) From left, Darren Andrews on Monbeg Stream leads at the jump as Sophie O’Brien on De Nordener clears the fence in The John D. Schapiro Memorial Steeplechase, the fourth race in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase. O’Brien won and Andrews finished third. (Kim Hairston/staff) Eric Porter on Step Out, Brett Owings on The Kid Rocks and Teddy Davies on Jeremy Pass finish The Thomas H. Voss Memorial Steeplechase, the third race of the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Races, in order. (Kim Hairston/staff) Eric Porter rides Step Out to a first place finish in The Thomas H. Voss Memorial Steeplechase, the third race of the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Races, in order. (Kim Hairston/staff) From left, Amalia Seiguer, of Monkton, and Scott and Judy Steinmetrz, of Bel Air, in the PNC tent. PNC is the presenting sponsor for the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Races. (Kim Hairston/staff) People line the fence to watch horses paraded before a race in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Races. (Kim Hairston/staff) From left, Adam Nepp, Morgan Dent, and Jerry and Annie Jubb, all of Annapolis, enjoy a spot along the course of the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Races. (Kim Hairston/staff) From left, Dan Nevin on Tufton Avenue leads the race to the finishline as Darren Andrews on Vadavvero, Virginia Korrell on Minella Plus and Brett Owings on Holiday Charm chase in The John Rush Streett Memorial Steeplechase, the second race in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase. (Kim Hairston/staff) Trainer Joseph Davies hugs jockey Sophie O’Brien after she rode De Nordener to a first place finish in The John D. Schapiro Memorial Steeplechase, the fourth race in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase. (Kim Hairston/staff) Dan Nevin riding Tufton Avenue gestures after winning The John Rush Streett Memorial Steeplechase, the second race in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Races. (Kim Hairston/staff) People gather for the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Races. (Kim Hairston/staff) April House, of Dundalk, wears a colorful spring hat at the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Races. (Kim Hairston/staff) Apr 11, 2026: Teddy Davies on Bogey’s Image crosses the line first, but Darren Andrews riding Uco Valley was awarded first place in the 115th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase after a lengthy steward’s inquiry. (Kim Hairston/staff) A prancing horse statue at one of the tailgate party at the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ed Funk, left, of Hereford, blows soap bubbles for granddaughter Navy Witman, 2, at the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Jockey Teddy Davies raises the trophy after riding Mr. Fine Threads to win the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Mr. Fine Threads (5) with jockey Teddy Davies, center, is in the middle of the pack early on during the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Mr. Fine Threads (5) with jockey Teddy Davies, right, avoid a riderless horse, left, and clears the 11th gate on the way to win the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Mr. Fine Threads (5) with jockey Teddy Davies clear the 12th gate on the way to win the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Mark Kaltenborn, left, of Potomac, Md., takes pictures of son Jack with a big USA hat at their America\xe2\x80\x99s 250th themed tailgate at the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Mr. Fine Threads (5) with jockey Teddy Davies clear the final fence to win the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Martha Washington tree topper sits on a horse overlooking a spread of good eats at the America\xe2\x80\x99s 250th themed tailgate the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Bill Carlson, of Boring, Md., serves as bar tender at his and wife’s tailgate party during the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Mr. Fine Threads, left, with jockey Teddy Davies clears the fourth fence during the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday. Maryland's timber racing culminates this Saturday with the 129th Maryland Hunt Cup. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Mr. Fine Threads (5) with jockey Teddy Davies win the 123rd running of The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Competing horses parade before the running of the 5th Grand National Maiden Timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Pavoni (2) with jockey Teddy Davies, center, outrun Itsknownasthebern (1) to win the 5th Grand National Maiden Timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Jockey Teddy Davies, right, fist bumps trainer Todd McKenna after winning the 5th Grand National Maiden Timber race with Pavoni.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Pavoni (2) with jockey Teddy Davies, center, clear the third gate during the 5th Grand National Maiden Timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The Ballybreen Fox with jockey Teddy Davies go off course and crash through the 16th fence to avoid colliding with another horse during the 60th running of the Benjamin H. Murray Memory Steeplechase race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The eventual winner Recoup (2) with jockey Eric Poretz, center, clear the third fence during the 60th running of the Benjamin H. Murray Memory Steeplechase race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Jockey Eric Poretz celebrates his win with Recoup in the 60th running of the Benjamin H. Murray Memory Steeplechase race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The field clear the second fence during the 60th running of the Benjamin H. Murray Memory Steeplechase race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Mr. Fine Threads (5) parades in the paddock before racing and winning the 123rd The Grand National Steeplechase, a demanding three-mile timber race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The eventual winner Recoup (2) with jockey Eric Poretz, center, clear the third fence during the 60th running of the Benjamin H. Murray Memory Steeplechase race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Show Caption1 of 39Competitors running in the 60th Benjamin H. Murray Memory Steeplechase race. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Expand