The Iroquois Steeplechase Cancels Race Meet

The 79th Iroquois Steeplechase Planning Citywide Celebration

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –The Iroquois Steeplechase, benefiting The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, has been cancelled for 2020. Event organizers for the 79th annual event sponsored by Bank of America are planning a citywide celebration to honor Nashville’s grand tradition in place of the race meet that was to take place on June 27.

In making the announcement, Iroquois Steeplechase Chairman Dwight Hall said, “The highest priority of The Iroquois Steeplechase, a 501 (c) 3 organization, is the safety of the patrons and participants. It has been determined by rules and regulations from our city officials and health department that social distancing will still be in place on our scheduled date of June 27. The magic of the Steeplechase is the camaraderie among friends from boxes packed with 10 to 12 people to tailgaters hosting large group parties in the infield.”

Hall added, “We’re excited to announce in the coming days a citywide celebration planned for our patrons which will continue to create excitement for one of Nashville’s most highly anticipated events. Our race meet benefits charities that impact our community, so it is our obligation to continue that tradition through another event which is better fitting to our restrictions.”

The 2020 Iroquois Steeplechase will continue the tradition of donating to charitable organizations across Middle Tennessee and The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt will remain the primary beneficiary of the event. Throughout the past 38 years, the Iroquois Steeplechase has donated more than $10 million to the hospital through the annual meet. Information to ticketholders will be available on the Iroquois Steeplechase website in the coming days.

About Iroquois Steeplechase

The Iroquois Steeplechase is an iconic sporting event that has been Nashville's rite of spring since 1941. Held the second Saturday of each May at Percy Warner Park, the annual event attracts more than 25,000 spectators and is Music City's celebration of time-honored traditions, Tennessee hospitality and southern fashions. The event also supports several philanthropic causes and has donated more than $10 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt since 1981. To learn more about Steeplechase, visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org.