Foxhounds Kick Off Nashville’s Iroquois Steeplechase, Continuing an 85-Year Tradition

On May 9, 2026, at the Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville, Tennessee, more than 20 foxhounds from the Mells Foxhounds pack ran the turf course to start the day’s horse-racing program.

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog paradeUsNews and World Report

Founded in 1941 as a Works Progress Administration project, the Iroquois Steeplechase is now an 85-year-old premier American race. It blends British-style steeplechase racing—horses jumping obstacles between church steeples—with traditional fox hunting, a link highlighted by trustees.

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

The Mells Foxhounds, a local hunting club, supply the pack. Master huntsman Charles Montgomery leads the hounds, aided by whippers-in like Boo Montgomery. Trustee Stephen Heard, also a Mells Foxhounds member, bridges the racing and hunting communities.

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The event awards $730,000 in purses across multiple races. Approximately 25,000 spectators attend, occupying stands and tailgating tents. The foxhound parade features over 20 hounds, each equipped with GPS-enabled collars for tracking.

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

The hound parade highlights the historic link between steeplechase horses and fox hunting, giving public exposure to hunting traditions. It also lets hounds display agility and offers spectators a unique canine-centric spectacle within a horse-racing event.

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

Charles Montgomery explained that a hound repeatedly entered a beer tent, leading organizers to exclude her from future races. He also observed that some dogs are startled by loud speakers, describing the atmosphere as stressful. Boo Montgomery highlighted the parade as valuable exposure for hunting, noting that the hounds enjoy the challenge despite the unfamiliar setting. Stephen Heard reiterated that many horses used in fox hunting are former steeplechase competitors, underscoring the reciprocal relationship between the two sports.

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

Whippers-in noted that the dense crowd, music, and food aromas can distract or spook the hounds, sometimes sending them into nearby woods. A child’s fried-chicken leg once lured a hound to pause, highlighting the challenge of staying on course amid festivities. GPS collars help locate wayward dogs.

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

• “She had the best time. She loved going into the beer tents,” — Charles Montgomery, Mells Foxhounds master huntsman

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

• “I took one dog last year and he heard the speakers and he said, ‘This is not for me,’” — Charles Montgomery, Mells Foxhounds master huntsman

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

• “It's high pressure,” — Boo Montgomery, Mells Foxhounds whipper-in

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

• “Many of the horses that we use fox hunting are ex-steeplechase horses, Heard said.” — Stephen Heard, Iroquois Steeplechase trustee

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade

The hound that repeatedly entered the beer tent will be excluded from the 2027 parade, reflecting organizers’ effort to balance canine freedom with crowd safety. The Mells Foxhounds plan to continue refining GPS tracking and crowd-management strategies for future events.

At the Iroquois Steeplechase, the foxhounds kick off the horse races with a howling fun dog parade