International Gold Cup

The feature race — a long-distance timber test of roughly 3½ miles over solid post-and-rail fences.

A Grade 2 hurdle stakes of about 2⅛ miles, one of the richest hurdle races on the fall calendar.

Rail tailgates, box seats, terrier races, and Jack Russell parades set against peak Blue Ridge foliage.

When is the 2026 International Gold Cup?

It's set for Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Great Meadow in The Plains, with the first race around noon. Tickets go on sale in late July 2026 at vagoldcup.com.

Where is the International Gold Cup held?

At Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Rd, The Plains, VA 20198, in Fauquier County — the same racecourse as the spring Virginia Gold Cup, about an hour west of Washington, DC.

How is the International Gold Cup different from the Virginia Gold Cup?

They're run at the same Great Meadow course by the same association, but the International Gold Cup is the fall meet (late October) while the Virginia Gold Cup is the spring meet (first Saturday in May, on Kentucky Derby day). The fall card features the International Gold Cup timber stakes and the Zeke Ferguson hurdle stakes.

What races are featured?

The card is anchored by the International Gold Cup timber stakes (about 3½ miles) and the Grade 2 David L. 'Zeke' Ferguson Memorial hurdle stakes (about 2⅛ miles), among roughly eight races total including maiden and allowance hurdles and a steeplethon.

How do I get tickets to the International Gold Cup?

General admission, tailgate spaces, rail parking, and box seating are sold at vagoldcup.com. Tickets for the 2026 running go on sale in late July 2026.