By Marcella Peyre-Ferry
Contributing Writer

The Willowdale Steeplechase races, a beloved Mother’s Day weekend tradition for many, took place on a bright, beautiful, and breezy day on Saturday, May 10.

The races are a tradition for many of the spectators who tailgate on the fields overlooking the racecourse. One of those spectators was 88-year-old Frank Ranhofer  of Chester Springs and his family who have been enjoying the same spot near the water jump for at least eight years.

“It’s a good chance for the family to get together, he said. “Mary and I still deal with five horses of our own, and I still ride occasionally. It’s outdoors, it’s real racing the people who own the horses really like the horses.”

Frank’s daughter Mary Saunders said, “I like that all people can be here and have fun. There’s something for everybody.” 

This year’s theme for the races was The Wicked Wild West at Willowdale. While most of the tailgaters follow the year’s theme or a fox-hunting and racing theme, there are a few others who blaze their own path. 

The tailgate of Bob and Leslie Carpenter was an eye-catcher with a pair of beavers topping their pickup truck. 

“We would go to these other horse races, and I would see these extravagant tailgates set up with foxes in the middle of the tailgate. I don’t really like foxes,” Bob said. 

“It’s something different to enhance the tailgate,” Leslie added. 

Leslie is a former race director of the Willowdale Steeplechase races. 

“It’s nice to be able to come and be a spectator and enjoy the day,” she said. 

Spectators enjoyed terrier races, pony races, children’s activities, shops, food and a classic car show, but the main focus was the card of six races over fences. 

On the other side of the fence, the featured race of the day, the $35,000 Willowdale Steeplechase, was won by Mr. Fine Threads in a dramatic, come-from-behind finish. Mr. Fine Threads is owned by Armata Stables, is trained by Joseph Davies and was ridden to victory by jockey Charlie Marshall.

Proceeds from Willowdale Steeplechases benefits Stroud Water Research Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine New Bolton Center.