Horse racing programs re-open to fans at Charles Town Thursday, June 25

Our friend and Royal Examiner contributing writer Malcolm Barr Sr., a racehorse owner and breeder for more than 20 years, informed us that the Charles Town track will be open to fans this Thursday evening, June 25, for the first time since March.

Our horse racing consultant explained that racing at the “West Virginia oval” as he calls it, has been taking place for the past several weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic response; however, without live fans in attendance. Viewing and betting were all done remotely during this period of racing without a live audience. But with West Virginia Governor Jim Justice’s recent announcement that allows patrons, under certain conditions, to attend all state sporting events starting this week, it looks like Malcolm’s Thursday ventures to Charles Town are back on track (excuse the word-play horsing around).

Under normal circumstances at Charles Town, live racing is scheduled every Thursday through Saturday, year-round. Barr said he was informed of the Charles Town Races reopening announcement by a fellow local racing enthusiast he often makes the Thursday evening trips north to the track with.

Social distancing guidelines will be enforced, and the track is encouraging spectators to wear masks; which are required for staff and racing participants – grooms, trainers, among others – though “not the horses” Malcolm observed, as they are likely to need unimpeded breathing at whatever distance around the track they are traveling.

About the Hampshire Partnership
But before he takes off for his first Charles Town visit in three months or longer, we urged Malcolm to use the Charles Town reopening to live audiences as an excuse to revisit his foray into the horse racing business. This reporter will note meeting Barr, who has become a close friend since, around 2007 prepping for a Valley Today promotional interview for his book “1000 to 1” during a stint as host of WZRV’s News at Noon/Valley Today midday hour show.

Barr, left-center black shirt and brother Neville over his left shoulder, with Hampshire Racing Partnership stable star Probably’s Devil in the winner’s circle at Delaware Park in 2000. – Track Winner’s Circle Photo

Barr, retired to the Rockland area of Warren County with wife Carol, was president and co-founder of the Hampshire Alliance Inc., or Hampshire Racing Partnership, from 1989 to 2010. During that stint, the Hampshire Racing Partnership won 130 of around 600 races, some of them at Charles Town, others at tracks in neighboring states including New York, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. And he published the aforementioned book “1,000 to 1!” and retired from the track at the age of 77.

His syndicate won a National Claiming Crown race with a horse named Landler at Canterbury Park, Minnesota, July 19, 2003; raced a horse at the famed Saratoga, NY, track; and took horses to Gulfstream Park, FL, during several winters. The syndicate, over the years, competed 156 horses, averaging about 21% in the winner’s circle, and more than 65% in-the-money, all of which sounds pretty good to this racing novice.

The Hampshire Alliance bred one $100,000-plus winner, Probably the One, whose progeny – four foals – each won multiple races at several northeast tracks, Barr added of the partnership’s accomplishments.

“We launched what we called ‘affordable’ partnerships that attracted several hundred fans of moderate means who’d never dreamed of getting into the thrills of racehorse ownership. We made those dreams possible,” Barr said of the Hampshire Alliance.

In England, Barr and one of his American co-owners ventured into high-end racing and, dressed in morning suits and top hats, watched their horse, Brancaster, run – unfortunately out of the money – in the famed Epsom Derby.

“That, in the UK, is the equivalent of running in the Kentucky Derby,” Barr noted.

An autographed photo from Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado, commemorating a successful ride of another Hampshire Partnership horse to the post in 1997. – Courtesy Photo/Malcolm Barr

During the past few years, Barr and Gary Buckley, a Front Royal co-owner with Barr and others of the Canadian-bred horse Landler, have made a weekly pilgrimage each Thursday evening to Charles Town and plan to re-commence the 30-mile trip this Thursday for the 7 p.m. post time.

“It’ll be great to be back trackside to watch live racing,” Barr enthused of the coming venture. “Gary and I share many good memories from our ownership days and I guess our interest in the sport will continue until – enough said,” the 87-year-old Barr said of what has become a life-long sporting passion.