Virginia Gold Cup Association to Host A Taste of Gold Cup on Friday, Oct. 23, to Benefit Fauquier Free Clinic

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NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:                           
Vicki Bendure, APR
202-374-9259 cell
Vicki@bendurepr.com           
   
WARRENTON, Va., Oct. 14, 2026—The Virginia Gold Cup Association, which oversees two major steeplechase events—the Virginia Gold Cup in the spring and the International Gold Cup in the fall—is hosting “A Taste of Gold Cup,” a fundraiser benefiting the Fauquier Free Clinic, on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Great Meadow (5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains, Va.). One hundred percent of the event proceeds will go directly to the Fauquier Free Clinic.
 
The International Gold Cup, one of the largest steeplechase events in the United States, will take place the following day, Saturday, Oct. 24 at Great Meadow. Over the years, the Virginia Gold Cup Association Board of Directors has selected community charities and helped them to raise funds.
 
“The Fauquier Free Clinic is seeing record numbers of families and individuals seeking medical, dental and mental health assistance,” said Al Griffin, chairman of the Virginia Gold Cup Association and president of the National Steeplechase Association. “The need has more than tripled this year.”
 
A growing list of restaurants and caterers has volunteered to provide dishes for the event, including Claire’s at the Depot, King Street Oyster Bar, Denim and Pearls, Pampa’s Fox, Marriott Ranch, Serendipity, Paddy O’s Cafe and Bakery, O’Brien’s Irish Pub and The Chase at Hotel Burg. Horse Country is sponsoring a portion of the bar; Commonwealth Event Company is providing a tent and dance floor; and local DJ Domingo Ramos of Radsounds will provide music.
 
“We are so grateful to the many community partners and residents who have stepped up to help us,” said Rob Marino, MSW, executive director of the Fauquier Free Clinic. “Funds have never been needed more than they are today.”
 
The Fauquier Free Clinic provides compassionate medical, dental, mental health and pediatric care to uninsured and underinsured individuals and families in Rappahannock and Fauquier counties. In 2025, the Fauquier Free Clinic served the most patients in its history despite a tough funding and donor environment. Households are facing higher costs for insurance and for health care, leading more and more to delay services or opt out of coverage. As more people have counted on the Free Clinic, it has continued to grow and expand its services to meet the need. The organization even launched a new pediatric primary care program for children without coverage in 2025.
 
Individual tickets for “A Taste of Gold Cup” are $150, and reserved VIP tables for six are $5,000. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance at https://www.fauquierfreeclinic.org/invitation.html.
 
For more information on the International Gold Cup, visit www.vagoldcup.com.
 

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