Known as the official "Rite of Spring", Stoneybrook Steeplechase enjoyed enormous popularity from 1949 to 1996. Drawing as many as 20,000 spectators, Stoneybrook became a well-established stop for the best steeplechase horses, riders, and trainers on the East Coast.

That tradition of excellence began as the dream of one man - Michael G. Walsh. At the age of 18, "Mickey" Walsh escaped the poverty of his native Ireland and landed at the feet of Lady Liberty in 1925. Hoping to make it big in the land of plenty he found instead a harsh reality. Looking for a job, all he saw were signs that read, “Irish need not apply.”

Eventually, Walsh found work exercising and training horses for the owners of large estates on Long Island. He soon became one of the most successful riders of jumpers and hunters in the Northeast.

He came to Southern Pines for the first time in the 1940’s working for Audrey Kennedy showing horses. When Mickey Walsh first spotted the rolling land and stables in Southern Pines, he knew he had to posses them. Little by little with money earned the hard way, he bought a riding and training stable of his own. He called it Stoneybrook. In time it became a race track - then an institution.

Along the way, Walsh also became a legend in the world of steeplechase racing. His pony, “Little Squire” could jump the moon, and a barebacked Mickey Walsh made them both famous. He was inducted into five halls of fame and is widely regarded as one of the most influential equestrians of the past century. Walsh’s professionalism and reputation drew the best horses, owners, trainers and jockeys on the East Coast and Kentucky. Stoneybrook was a not-to-be-missed stop on the Steeplechase racing circuit.

Stoneybrook was a family business. Mickey, his wife, Kitty and their eight children kept the annual event going for nearly half a century. Behind the scenes, it was Mickey’s wife, Kitty, who kept the details in order. It was she who organized and hosted the luncheon for hundreds of volunteers and friends every year. She also made sure her own household of eight children ran smoothly.

Six of those kids are still with us. Kitty died at the age of 82 – the Sunday before the running of Stoneybrook in 1991.  The youngest of the children, Phoebe Walsh Robertson, says many thought the races that weekend should be cancelled. But, how she asks, “do you tell tens of thousands of people not to show up?” Instead, ‘That show must go on attitude’ worked. Her father was surrounded by supportive and adoring friends who helped him shoulder his greatest loss.

When Mickey died at the age of 86, it was time to fold the tent. As Phoebe puts it, “the wild, exciting roller coaster ride was suddenly over.” The land was sold in 1996.

Now, with the development of Carolina Horse Park, the Walsh's dream continues once again.

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