American Steeplechase Champion Abaan Set To Race At Far Hills Grand National In October 2025

Published on August 19, 2025

ABAAN, leader of nan 2025 Iroquois Steeplechase, is connected nan cusp of yet different elephantine leap successful his career. After his thrilling triumph astatine Nashville’s Percy Warner Park successful May, wherever 30,000 fans shouted him home, he received nan uncommon telephone to nan 2026 Cheltenham Festival 1 of nan crown jewels of nan steeplechase world. For an American-trained horse, this is much than an invitation; it is impervious that US steeplechasing has arrived connected nan world stage. Yet earlier nan greenish pastures of Cheltenham, ABAAN will glide onto nan turf astatine nan $250,000 American Grand National Steeplechase astatine nan Far Hills Race Meet successful New Jersey this October.

ABAAN’s Impressive Rise

ABAAN’s travel to nan apical of American steeplechasing has been thing short of extraordinary. Starting his profession arsenic a Grade 3 victor connected nan flat, he made a singular modulation to jump racing. His triumph successful nan 2024 Green Pastures Novice Stakes astatine Iroquois Steeplechase group nan shape for what would go an unforgettable 2025 season.

At nan Iroquois Steeplechase successful May 2025, ABAAN triumphed successful nan prestigious Grade 1 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Steeplechase, cementing his spot arsenic 1 of nan finest jumpers successful nan sport. His commanding triumph not only secured his spot arsenic nan apical steeplechaser successful America, but it besides captured nan attraction of world racing fans. This triumph paved nan measurement for ABAAN’s invitation to nan 2026 Cheltenham Festival, 1 of nan astir revered steeplechase events successful nan world.

A Historic Invitation to Cheltenham

Thanks to a groundbreaking business betwixt nan Iroquois Steeplechase, The Jockey Club U.K., and nan support of TVV Capital, ABAAN will person nan chance to compete successful nan prestigious Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle astatine nan Cheltenham Festival successful Gloucestershire, England, successful 2026. This race, pinch a purse of astir €350,000 ($381,000), is wide regarded arsenic nan pinnacle of jump racing successful nan U.K.

The Cheltenham Festival draws a monolithic crowd of complete 300,000 spectators complete 4 days, making it a important arena successful nan world equine racing calendar. For ABAAN, this invitation not only offers a chance to beryllium himself connected nan world shape but besides serves arsenic a awesome of nan increasing collaboration betwixt American and British steeplechasing. If successful astatine Cheltenham, ABAAN could make history by becoming nan first equine to execute nan coveted Iroquois-Cheltenham double, a feat narrowly missed by nan legendary Flatterer successful 1987.

ABAAN’s Supporters and Partnerships

ABAAN’s emergence to fame is simply a testament to nan difficult activity and dedication of his connections. He is owned by Dr. Joseph Fowler, Daigneault Thoroughbreds, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and is trained by Kate Dalton, pinch jockey Bernard Bernie Dalton guiding him connected title day.

Dwight Hall, Chairman of nan Iroquois Steeplechase, expressed his pridefulness successful ABAAN’s achievements, saying, What an grant it has been to beryllium a portion successful ABAAN’s emergence to nan apical of American Steeplechasing. We are thrilled to connection him nan chance to make history connected nan world shape done our business pinch The Jockey Club UK.

TVV Capital’s Andrew Byrd, who has agelong supported nan Iroquois Steeplechase, shared his enthusiasm for ABAAN’s Cheltenham journey. He emphasized, The opportunity for ABAAN to compete astatine nan Cheltenham Festival is bigger than 1 title it’s astir creating world visibility for nan athletics and nan charitable causes it supports.

Looking Ahead to nan American Grand National

Before venturing to Cheltenham, ABAAN will first purpose for different triumph astatine nan $250,000 American Grand National Steeplechase, taking spot astatine nan Far Hills Race Meet successful Far Hills, New Jersey, connected October 18, 2025. The Far Hills Race Meet is 1 of nan premier steeplechase events successful nan U.S., attracting a ample crowd and offering top-tier competition.

For fans incapable to be successful person, nan title will beryllium disposable for livestream viewing connected nan New York Racing Association’s (NYRA) YouTube Channel, allowing steeplechase enthusiasts worldwide to travel ABAAN’s advancement arsenic he prepares for early world challenges.

Impact connected Tourism and nan Steeplechase Scene

The world attraction surrounding ABAAN’s rise, peculiarly nan invitation to Cheltenham, is group to boost liking successful steeplechasing arsenic a world sport. This collaboration betwixt U.S. and U.K. steeplechasing represents a important infinitesimal successful nan sport’s history, and it brings an breathtaking opportunity for tourism and sports tourism successful some regions.

Steeplechase fans and travelers attending events for illustration nan Iroquois Steeplechase successful Nashville, nan American Grand National successful Far Hills, and nan Cheltenham Festival successful nan U.K. will person nan chance to acquisition not only world-class racing but besides nan taste and scenic attractions these locations person to offer. For visitors to Nashville, nan Iroquois Steeplechase presents a unsocial opportunity to bask nan city’s rich | Southern hospitality while witnessing 1 of nan sport’s premier events.

Similarly, nan Cheltenham Festival successful Gloucestershire offers a picturesque setting, on pinch plentifulness of section charm for tourists. Whether you are visiting Nashville aliases Gloucestershire, some regions connection plentifulness of attractions for those willing successful combining racing pinch travel.

The Bottom Line

ABAAN’s way from nan Iroquois Steeplechase to Cheltenham marks a landmark infinitesimal for American jump racing and for world sports tourism. His triumph enhances nan floor plan of U.S. steeplechasing and creates caller avenues for tourism and taste speech betwixt nan U.S. and nan U.K. With ABAAN now focused connected nan coming American Grand National astatine Far Hills, some fans and travelers tin eagerly expect nan adjacent breathtaking section of his singular career.