Governor’s Cup Series Awards

Established 1975
Presented by

2024 Awards & Qualifying Races
With the Conditions for each race there is a bracketed number. The Qualifying Races for each award are listed by these numbers under each award. Award winners must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the Conditions. For changes in qualifications and an updated list of points please check www.marylandsteeplechasing.com.

MARYLAND OPEN TIMBER CHAMPION
Awarded to the horse that accumulates the most points in open timber races and that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Perpetual Trophy, Keepsake Trophy, & Cooler.
Qualifying Races: FH, 5, 8, 15, 26, 27, 33, 36, 44, 47, 54, 55, 56, 58, 61, 62, 66
MARYLAND NOVICE TIMBER CHAMPION
Awarded to the horse accumulating the most points in maiden, novice and allowance timber races. Eligible horses are those that meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Horses may only win this award once. Awards: Perpetual Trophy, Keepsake Trophy, and $1,000 Cash Prize. In the event of a tie, the prize money will be split.
Qualifying Races: FH, 25, 27, 34, 36, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55, 59, 60, 61, 69
MARYLAND HEAVYWEIGHT TIMBER CHAMPION
Awarded to the horse that accumulates the most points in heavyweight timber races and that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Keepsake Trophy & Cooler
Qualifying Races: FH, 24, 35
H. BROOKS DURKEE MEMORIAL LEADING TIMBER RIDER AWARD
Earner of the most points in timber races (Open, Allowance, Novice, Heavyweight, Maiden). Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Keepsake Trophy, and a Perpetual Trophy donated by the Durkee Family and Brooks’ many friends.
Qualifying Races: FH, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 66, 69
MARYLAND-BRED & MARYLAND MILLION-SIRED 
TIMBER HORSE AWARDS
The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (which oversees the Thoroughbred breeding registries in the state) and the Maryland Million, Ltd. will provide $1,000 in cash bonuses for Maryland-bred and Maryland Million-sired Thoroughbreds in the 2021 Governor’s Cup Series. $500 will be awarded to the owner of the registered Maryland-bred timber horse earning the most points in the series, and $500 will be awarded to the owner of the Maryland Million-sired timber horse earning the most points in the series. Maryland Million-sired eligibility can be checked at marylandmillion.com. You can check Maryland-bred eligibility at marylandthoroughbred.com. Eligibility for either may also be confirmed by calling 410-252-2100
ITM Maryland Irish-Bred Thoroughbred Horse of the Year
Awarded to the Irish bred horse that accumulates the most points in flat, hurdle, and timber races in Maryland and that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions.  Horse must be entered in races as an IRE. Awards:  Perpetual Trophy – $1000 to the owner and $1000 to the trainer.  In the event of a tie, the prize will be split.
Qualifying Races:  FH, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69
AMATEUR APPRENTICE TIMBER HORSE & RIDER CHAMPION
Presented to the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in amateur and/or apprentice timber races and that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Keepsake Trophy
Qualifying Races: FH, 7, 27, 36, 47, 55, 61
THE VOSS AMATEUR FLAT RACE SERIES
Trophy to highest placing jockey in amateur flat races of approximately 2 miles. Awards: Keepsake Trophy
Qualifying Races: 28, 43, 64
THE HURDY GURDY PERPETUAL TROPHY
Presented (not necessarily annually) to the foxhunting horse and rider combination that meets all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions and that has the best racing season, as determined by Governor’s Cup Series Committee. Perpetual Trophy donated by the family of Kingdon Gould and the Howard County Cup Race Meet. Awards: 1 year possession of the Perpetual Trophy and a Keepsake trophy; 2 caps to EHHC, GSV, HCIBH, Marlborough, and Potomac.
LEADING TRAINER AWARD
Trainer earning the most points from races over fences and on the flat. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Keepsake Trophy & $1,000 Cash Prize. In the event of a tie, the prize money will be split.
Qualifying Races: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69
OVERALL LEADING RIDER AWARD
Awarded to the rider with the most cumulative wins over timber (Open, Allowance, Novice, Heavyweight, Maiden), hurdle, and on the flat. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Keepsake trophy.
Qualifying Races: FH, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69
THOMAS H. VOSS MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY FOR THE LEADING AMATEUR RIDER
Awarded to the amateur rider with the most qualifying wins over hurdles, timber, and on the flat. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Perpetual Trophy donated by Elkridge-Harford Hounds.
Qualifying Races: FH, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69
LEADING LADY RIDER AWARD
Awarded to the female jockey accumulating the most points in all flat, timber (Open, Allowance, Novice, Heavyweight, Maiden), and hurdle races. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Keepsake Trophy.
Qualifying Races: FH, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69
H. TURNEY MCKNIGHT LEADING OWNER AWARD
Owner earnings the most points from races over fences and on the flat. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Perpetual Trophy & Keepsake Award.
Qualifying Races: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69
LEADING JUNIOR HORSE RIDER
Awarded to the Junior Rider who races at least twice (in division qualifying races) and wins at least once, and has the most cumulative points in Junior Field Master’s Chases. Winner must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Keepsake Trophy to leading TB and non-TB riders.
Qualifying Races, Thoroughbred Division: FH, 22, 40, 52a
Qualifying Races, Non-Thoroughbred Division: FH, 23, 41, 52b
LEADING PONY RIDER AWARDS
Awarded to the Junior Pony Riders who races at least twice (in division qualifying races) and wins at least once, and has the most cumulative points in Junior Field Master Chases & flat races. Each pony division (small, medium, and large) will be awarded. The Junior Pony Rider accumulating the most points in all divisions combined will be awarded the Overall Pony Rider Award. Winners must meet all eligibility requirements as defined in the General Conditions. Awards: Keepsake Trophies.
Qualifying Races:
Small: FH, 12, 16, 19, 30, 37, 48a, 49, 70
Medium: FH, 13, 17, 20, 31, 38, 48b, 50, 71
Large: FH, 9, 18, 21, 32, 39, 48c, 51, 72
THE AUSTIN MICHAEL CIBA TAMBERINO LEADING JUNIOR RIDER AWARD
Established in 2021 by the family of Austin Michael Ciba Tamberino. Award: $500
Qualifying Races:
Small: FH, 12, 16, 19, 30, 37, 48a, 49, 70
Medium: FH, 13, 17, 20, 31, 38, 48b, 50, 71
Large: FH, 9, 18, 21, 32, 39, 48c, 51, 72
Junior Horse, Thoroughbred Division: FH, 22, 40, 52a
Junior Horse, Non-Thoroughbred Division: FH, 23, 41, 52b
THE JONATHAN KISER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Presented in recognition of a Young Rider’s race participation, horsemanship, sportsmanship, talent, and dedication to the sport of steeplechasing. Recipient to be selected by the MSA Board from among all Young Riders currently riding in Junior and Pony races. Awards: Position as a working student for a week with an NSA trainer or other suitable opportunities, such as tuition to the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation Summer Steeplechase young rider activity.
THE D.M. SMITHWICK JR. JUNIOR FOXCHASING SCHOLARSHIP
Presented in recognition of a Junior Rider’s commitment & dedication to the sport of steeplechasing, to foster the relationship and tradition between foxchasing & steeplechasing. Recipients to be selected by the MSA Board from among all Junior Riders currently riding in Junior and Pony races. Number of recipients at the discretion of the MSA Board. Awards: Capping fees for Junior Riders and chaperoning adults, tuition to foxchasing camps and clinics.

Please direct ALL questions, concerns, and comments regarding the Maryland Governor’s Cup Series General Conditions or points to:
Governor’s Cup Chief Steward, Burley Cocks
410-371-1851 • ebc@burleyinsurance.com