A newly created $25,000 Thoroughbred Hunter Derby will make its debut at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show in Virginia in early June and replace the recent Upperville Thoroughbred Hunter Classic, the planners of the event said via a press release on their website Dec. 31.
The Derby will take place Tuesday, June 2 and reflects a growing, industry-wide effort to expand opportunities for Thoroughbreds at recognized horse shows. In recent years, trainers, owners and Thoroughbred advocates have worked to elevate the visibility and competitiveness of the breed in hunter and jumper sport.
TAKE2–founded by the late Bruce Duchossois and Rick Violette, Jr. of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.–has been at the forefront of that movement. The program partners with USEF-rated horse shows to offer hunter and jumper divisions restricted to Thoroughbreds eligible for registration with The Jockey Club of America.
The release also mentions that more recently, Carrie Brogden of Machmer Hall communicated with Camden, South Carolina-based trainer Ron Danta about how the racing industry was interested in promoting the idea of a Thoroughbred-only Derby series offering significant prize money. Brogden recently spoke to TDN in the 'Racing in 2036' series about how Thoroughbreds could re-establish themselves as a central players in the show hunter world.
At the same time, Middleburg trainer Sue Lyman, an active USHJA member who chairs its Horse and Riders Advocates Committee, and Second Wind Thoroughbred Aftercare founder Dayle Eldredge made repeated efforts to revive the long-dormant USHJA Thoroughbred Taskforce. Danta helped by making them aware of Brogden's interest.
According to the release, another spark was the national success of Catherine Brown's Ifwhizkycouldtalk (Unfettered), known as “Whisky,” who drew widespread attention during his second year showing with Lyman. Not only did the gelding excel in the Thoroughbred hunter divisions, but the gray also placed consistently and won in the competitive 3'3″ Green Hunter division against warmbloods and participated in the USHJA Green Incentive Program at the Kentucky finals in August.
USHJA President Britt McCormick reached out to Lyman, and the USHJA Thoroughbred Taskforce was officially revived. The group agreed that a single, successful event was needed before expanding into a series and Upperville was the natural choice.
“At Upperville, they know how to do a Derby,” said Lyman. “And the Thoroughbreds are already successful divisions.”
Lyman approached UCHS Board member Tom Brennan, who brought the proposal for a Derby in 2026 to the Show Committee, where it received a favorable response. Brennan estimated that at least $20,000 in prize money, along with $10,000 for a competitor reception, would be necessary to attract top-level participation and support.
Undaunted, Lyman immediately reached out to people she knows have a special interest in Thoroughbreds. Funding followed quickly, for the Derby prize money as well as the reception. One of the earliest prize money supporters was longtime Thoroughbred advocate and former Lyman client Ann Hormel. Others include Jacqueline Mars, for whom Lyman has also trained, and Tisbury Stud. The purse quickly rose to $25,000, while TAKE2 and Aspire Equine, LLC. signed up to sponsor the reception.
“I love Thoroughbred horses,” said Hormel. “I hate to see them cast away because they didn't make it big on the track. I would love to see them coming back into the hunter and jumper rings, and I feel like this Derby could help make that happen.”
“Upperville is truly raising the stakes with the launch of this brand-new $25,000 Thoroughbred Derby,” Tom Brennan said. “This class underscores our commitment to honoring tradition while creating meaningful new opportunities for Thoroughbred horses, owners, and riders.”
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