Since 1986, Steeplechase of Charleston has introduced new generations of fans to the sport
Since the founding of the South Carolina Jockey Club in 1734, Charlestonians have rallied around horse racing. In 1792, the club opened the Washington Course where Hampton Park is now located, hosting annual race weeks that became major social events for members of the Southern elite. The Civil War devastated the sport, with the Washington Course being converted into a prisoner-of-war camp. Although the South Carolina Jockey Club disbanded in 1899, horse racing endured through events organized by wealthy families on private land, as seen in this photo taken at Belvidere Plantation in 1936. Fifty years later, Steeplechase Charleston, formerly known as the Charleston Cup, debuted at the picturesque Stono Ferry Plantation in Hollywood in 1986, introducing the sport to a new generation. Since being purchased by The Post and Courier in 2019, Steeplechase of Charleston, to be held on November 9, has grown to include cultural performances showcasing local artists and musicians, attracting thousands of annual spectators each fall.
