The Way We’ve Always Done It!
Photo by Grace Beahm Alford
Some things just go together. Sweet tea and sunshine. Biscuits and gravy. Charleston and a good old-fashioned day at the races!
At the Steeplechase of Charleston presented by Lexus, traditions are part of the fun. Some go back hundreds of years, while others involve lucky numbers, family recipes and those funny little things we do every year without even thinking about them.
So grab your favorite hat, dust off those lucky boots and let’s take a look at some race day traditions that have stood the test of time!
Charleston’s Racing Roots Run Deep!
Charleston has been cheering on horses for a LONG time! In fact, the South Carolina Jockey Club was established in 1734, and by 1792, crowds were gathering at the Washington Race Course, located where Hampton Park stands today.
The Charleston Cup brought steeplechase racing back to the Lowcountry in 1986. Forty years later, we’re still gathering to enjoy the excitement of the races!
And here’s a little horse racing trivia for you. Ever wonder why it’s called the Winner’s Circle? At the Kentucky Derby, from 1875 to 1929, the winning horse was actually presented inside a circle drawn in chalk on the racetrack!
Thankfully, we’ve upgraded from the chalk, but celebrating the winning horse and jockey is one tradition that isn’t going anywhere.
It Just Wouldn’t Be a Tailgate Without…
You know that old camping chair with the faded fabric and questionable cup holder? The one that’s been to every sporting event since 1998? Yep, that one. It wouldn’t be race day without it!
Maybe your family has a lucky cooler, a favorite tablecloth or cornhole boards that make an appearance every November.
And there’s always somebody who takes tailgate decorating VERY seriously. Matching napkins? Check. Fall flowers? Check. A centerpiece that requires its own seat in the car? Naturally!
Tailgating has become a favorite part of the horse racing experience. Whether your setup is simple or looks like it belongs in a magazine, it’s the little traditions that make it yours.
A Taste of Race Day Tradition!
You can’t talk about horse racing traditions without talking about food and drinks!
Take the famous mint julep. This refreshing mix of bourbon, mint, sugar and crushed ice has been associated with the Kentucky Derby for generations. It became the Derby’s official drink in the 1930s, when Churchill Downs began serving it in souvenir cups.
And here’s the funny part. The souvenir glass tradition really took off because guests kept taking the glasses home! Apparently, some things are just too good to leave behind.
Of course, here in the South, we’ve got plenty of favorites of our own. Country ham biscuits, deviled eggs, shrimp salad sandwiches, benne wafers and homemade pound cake are always welcome at a tailgate.
And let’s not forget what’s in the cooler! Sweet tea, Southern punch, Bloody Marys and favorite local brews all have their fans.
Every family has that one recipe somebody is expected to bring. And if Aunt Susan forgets her famous deviled eggs? Well, she’ll probably still be hearing about it next November!
Lucky Numbers, Lucky Hats and a Little Race Day Magic
Horse racing and good luck have always gone hand in hand!
Maybe you always cheer for number seven because it’s your birthday. Maybe number three has been your lucky number since childhood. Or perhaps you pick your favorite horse based entirely on its name.
Then there’s the lucky hat, the favorite pair of boots or that particular spot along the rail where you once watched a horse win.
And if your favorite horse happens to win while you’re wearing those boots? Congratulations. You’re wearing them again next year.
We don’t make the rules!
Hats Off to a Fashionable Tradition!
Ladies, here’s a fun fact. Women have been wearing hats to the Kentucky Derby since the very first race in 1875!
The tradition was inspired by the elegant horse racing events of England and France, where getting dressed up was practically as important as the racing itself.
Back then, ladies arrived in long dresses, gloves and beautiful hats, while gentlemen wore suits and fashionable headwear. By the 1960s, Derby hats were getting bigger, brighter and a whole lot more creative.
Somewhere along the way, a simple hat became a fashion statement that could practically require its own zip code!
Today, race day fashion is still part of the fun. From wide-brimmed hats and colorful fascinators to bow ties, boots and seersucker, there’s no shortage of personality along the rail.
And speaking of seersucker, is there anything more Southern than a gentleman who owns three seersucker suits and insists they’re all completely different?
Of course, dressing up is never required at the Steeplechase of Charleston. Whether you’re sporting a fabulous hat or your favorite jeans, there’s room for everyone’s style.
The Best Traditions Are the Ones We Make Together
Some of the sweetest race day traditions have nothing to do with horses, food or fashion.
Photo by Grace Beahm Alford/Staff
It’s the annual group photo where everyone tries to squeeze into the frame. The grandparents watching their grandchildren experience their first race. The kids cheering for their favorite corgi during the Corgi Cup. Or the friends who haven’t seen each other in months but pick up right where they left off.
And don’t be surprised if you make a few new friends along the way. Sometimes all it takes is saying hello, sharing a laugh and discovering you’ve got a lot in common. Before you know it, you’re making plans to meet up again next year!
Maybe this will be the year your family discovers a favorite viewing spot near the jumps. Maybe you’ll start a new race day ritual. Or maybe you’ll take a picture that becomes the first in a whole collection of annual memories.
Because some traditions are passed down for generations. Others begin with a great day at the races, a few good friends and someone saying, “We’re definitely doing this again next year!”
Join us Sunday, November 15, for the Steeplechase of Charleston presented by Lexus. Bring your favorite people and your lucky hat. Who knows? You might just start a new tradition!
The Cheerleader
Photography by John Carlos