Gail Jackson Clark, who presently hunts with the Piedmont Fox Hounds, after hunting with the Genesee Valley Hunt for over 20 years, grew up in the foxhunting and steeplechase world, exercising racehorses at an early age and after college. She is the owner of Noble Stables and is one of the partners of "Rather Be Racing" with Meriwether Morris. Gail has had steeplechase horses with Neil Morris and Jack Fisher including Our Legend, Dynaformersrequest, True to Form, Kremlin, Kingofalldiamonds, Last Noble, St. Nicholas, Candy Man Can, Rhetoricalquestion and others. She is a member of The Sport Council for the Middleburg Spring Races, VA Steeplechase Association, National Steeplechase Association Patron, Race Committee Member for various different race meets, and a Licensed Owner & supporter of SOTA.
Gail & her husband, Percy Hamilton Clark III, have a beautiful horse farm outside of Middleburg, VA.
What got you involved in steeplechase racing?
Exercising steeplechase horses in Georgia & South Carolina when I was in high school & college. Foxhunting was my way of life! My 1st little black pony was named Rambler, I earned my Junior Hunt Colors when I was 8 or 9 years old! I loved going to all the race meets & dreamed of becoming a jockey!!! Also, Jerry Fishbach was one of my favorite jockeys!
What is your fondest steeplechasing memory?
My 1st win with Last Noble ridden by Matt McCarron at the Virginia Gold Cup Races! Last Noble was a beautiful horse & a great mover, who later had another career as a show horse in Florida, then was sold to become an event horse, therapy horse & foxhunter.
Another very favorite was Candy Man Can ridden by Ross Geraghty winning an allowance race by a nose at Great Meadows! Photo finish!
Why are you involved in SOTA?
I am honored & thrilled to be involved in SOTA which represents owners, trainers and supporters in improving and promoting American Steeplechasing. SOTA and NSA work very closely together & have a great relationship.
One fact/interesting tidbit - could be your all-time favorite horse
Hunting with Piedmont Fox Hounds and seeing some of my retired racehorses (Last Noble, St. Nicholas, Kingofalldiamonds, Dynaformersrequest) all out hunting on the same day last fall! They are now enjoying life as foxhunters!
