With easy access off I-40, the beautiful Percy Warner Park is surrounded by choice Downtown Nashville properties and hosts the popular annual Iroquois Steeplechase Horse Race.  Park your car at a favorite Nashville neighborhood and walk down a few blocks of illustrious Nashville homes, quaint-Victorian Nashville homes, and classy Nashville condos to join in the fun.  A rite of spring that attracts huge crowds, the race is a must-see for visitors, too and a great chance to enjoy Downtown Nashville real estate along the way.

The Iroquois has always been three miles long, weight for age, with the mature horses carrying more weight than the young ones.  It draws some of the world's top steeplechase horses skillfully leaping over obstacles in Percy Warner Park.  Much preparation leads up to race day, not only the minimum 120 training days for the horses, but also for the ladies of Nashville.  It takes time to find the right hat-and-dress combination to be recognized as most stylish or over the top!  Some take it too seriously but most just have a wonderful time with friends out in the fresh air and sunshine.

With a rich history dating back to the pasture races in Middle Tennessee during the 1930s, the first race was run in 1941.  It was named for Pierre Lorillard's “Iroquois”, the first American-bred horse to win the English Derby before being brought back to Belle Meade Mansion in Nashville to stand at stud.  The Iroquois Steeplechase has been run continuously since then, except for the year 1945 when it was suspended because of World War II. 

The horsemen have benefited greatly from joining forces with the Children’s Hospital.  The expertise, energy and commitment of the Friends of Children's Hospital volunteers combined with foxhunters to make such a success of all aspects of the race, including course and purse improvements.  The Iroquois has produced champion horses and champion people such as Calvin Houghland, who chaired the event from 1960 through 1991 and kept it going when other races fell by the wayside; George Sloan, who during his career was a four-time winner of the race and a leading amateur rider in both the United States and England, and, of course, the talented women of Vanderbilt Children's Hospital have won for their charity substantial support. 

The list is long of the many families connected with the Iroquois through recurrent generations who participate.  The support and cooperation of the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation have also been essential to the success of the event.

Other special events surround the race.  There are popular tailgate luncheons, the Iroquois Hunt Ball, the Peoplechase and the Winner's Circle Celebration.  This annual rite of spring enriches the community while entertaining countless visitors with a world-class sporting event in Warner Parks.  The park is Tennessee’s largest municipal park, the gift of publisher Luke Lea, named for his father in law.  Other top-notch community events, such as a golf tournament, are held at the park. 

Mark your calendars for the next race on May 10, 2008.

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