Race Day Guide
Headed to the Far Hills Race Meeting? Race-Day Food, Tailgate Catering and Where to Eat After
By The Bedminster Tavern
Quick answer: The 105th Far Hills Race Meeting is Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, beside Bedminster. Gates open at 8:00 AM; the first race posts at 1:00 PM. Grills are not allowed in Reserved Parking, so bring ready-to-serve food, hold it at safe temperatures, and book dinner nearby.
- The race is a steeplechase meeting that has given more than $22 million to local health-care organizations.
- Grills, fryers, open flames and generators are not allowed in Reserved Parking, so plan food that travels ready to serve.
- Perishable food should not sit out more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F).
- The Bedminster Tavern caters platters, packages and hors d'oeuvres; call (908) 234-1596 to order.
- After the last race, The Bedminster Tavern at 285 Main Street is open until midnight on Saturday, with live music from 7 to 10 PM.
What is the Far Hills Race Meeting?
The Far Hills Race Meeting is a day of steeplechase horse racing held at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey, on the third Saturday of every October. The 2026 meeting, on Saturday, October 17, is the 105th running.
The event grew out of fox hunting. According to the race's official history, the Essex Hunt (founded in 1870 in Montclair) held a "Farmer's Day Race Meeting" to thank the farmers and landowners who let them ride across their land. In 1915, the races moved to the Grant B. Schley estate, now Moorland Farm, and they still include the New Jersey Hunt Cup steeplechase.
It is also a charity event. The race has given more than $22 million to local health care. The 2026 beneficiaries listed by the organizers are:
- RWJ University Hospital Somerset
- RWJ Barnabas Health (RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick)
- CrossRoads4Hope
- Bonnie Brae
- Community in Crisis
- Greater Newark LifeCamp
What time should you arrive, and what are the tailgate rules?
Gates open at 8:00 AM, the first race posts at 1:00 PM, the last race posts around 4:30 PM, and everyone must leave the grounds by 6:00 PM. The organizers advise planning for traffic delays by late morning.
The official Policies & FAQs page sets the rules that shape your menu. Here are the ones that matter most for food:
| Rule (Reserved Parking) | What it means for your food plan |
|---|---|
| No charcoal or propane grills, deep-fat fryers, open flames, ovens or generators | Bring food that is cooked before you arrive and travels hot or cold. |
| Each space is 10 × 20 feet and holds up to 15 guests | Plan for 15 or fewer people per space, and a compact serving table. |
| No tents in tailgate spaces | Shade and shelter for food has to come from the vehicle, a cooler or covered containers. |
| Only registered caterers may be on the property on race day, and they must leave Reserved Parking by 9:00 AM | Professional drop-offs happen early; your food must hold safely for hours. |
Races run rain or shine, and all Reserved Parking space holders must be 21 or older.
How much food should you bring to a race-day tailgate?
Plan for a long day: guests arrive in the morning and stay through the last race, so most hosts serve a substantial mid-day meal plus snacks and something sweet. A useful starting point is the portion guidance in a USDA bulletin republished by University of Missouri Extension, which sizes crowd recipes at about 3 ounces of cooked meat per person.
| Food | Per guest (starting point) | For a full 15-guest space |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked meat, poultry or fish | About 3 oz | About 3 lb |
| Rolls or bread | 2 rolls | 2½ dozen |
| Cookies or bars | 2 pieces | 2½ dozen |
These are one-serving figures; for a day of grazing, add a second round of finger food. Leftovers only stay safe if they stay cold.
How do you keep tailgate food safe all day?
Keep cold food at 40°F or below, keep hot food at 140°F or above, and do not leave perishable food out of the cooler for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F. Those are the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's tailgating guidelines.
- Use two coolers. Mississippi State University Extension recommends packing drinks separately from food, because the drink cooler is opened constantly and warms up.
- Put a thermometer in the food cooler. USDA suggests an appliance thermometer so you can confirm the cooler is holding 40°F or below.
- Keep hot food sealed. USDA notes that food in a closed insulated container should stay at 140°F or above for several hours. Open it when it is time to eat, not before.
- Serve in rounds. Put out what people will eat in the next hour or two, then return platters to the cooler.
- Plan for clean hands. Bring water, soap and paper towels or sanitizing wipes; MSU Extension advises washing for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
- Be strict at the end. MSU Extension advises discarding any leftovers that are not still cold (40°F or below) after the event.
Because open flames are not allowed in Reserved Parking, check with the Far Hills Race Meeting Association before you rely on chafing dishes heated with canned fuel.
Can The Bedminster Tavern cater your Far Hills tailgate?
Yes. The Bedminster Tavern offers catering for the Far Hills Race Meeting, with à la carte platters, packages and hors d'oeuvres on its catering menus. Orders are placed by phone at (908) 234-1596.
Foods that suit a no-grill, eat-all-afternoon tailgate include:
- Cold platters: Garden State Vegetables, Imported Antipasto, Cheese Display, Shrimp Cocktail and Caprese Platter.
- Sandwiches: Assorted Sandwiches & Wraps, a Pinwheel Platter, or 3-foot and 6-foot Subs (Turkey & Cheddar or Italian).
- Hors d'oeuvres by the dozen: Pigs in a Blanket, Maryland Crab Cakes, Mini Beef Wellington and Caprese Skewers.
- Salads: Classic Caesar, Giant Greek and Harvest Country.
- Something sweet: Homemade Cookies, Brownie Platter, Cannolis and Assorted Mini Pastries.
The menu also lists packages for 10 to 12 guests (a good fit for one Reserved Parking space), plus drop-off buffet and cocktail-party options for groups of 25 or more. The catering page asks for 72 hours' notice for subs, notes that delivery fees apply, and that events outside a 5-mile radius may carry an additional delivery charge. Because race day is Saturday, October 17, call the Tavern as early in the week as you can to confirm what is available for race-day delivery or pickup.
Where can you eat after the Far Hills races?
The Bedminster Tavern, at 285 Main Street in Bedminster, is open until midnight on Saturdays, so it is an easy stop once the grounds close at 6 PM. Live music runs from 7 to 10 PM Thursday through Saturday.
Choose the space that fits the mood:
- The Dining Room for a proper dinner: the dinner menu includes Honey Nut Squash Soup, Wild Boar Pappardelle, Duck Confit and a New York Strip Steak.
- The Main Bar for a livelier post-race drink and bar bites such as Wagyu Beef Sliders and Bavarian Pretzel Sticks.
- The Stables for a quieter cocktail, whiskey or glass of wine; signature cocktails include the Autumn Hearth and the Edinburgh Honey Mule.
Saturday nights fill up, so reserve on Resy before you head to Moorland Farm. Making a weekend of it? See our guide to planning a great day in Bedminster.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Far Hills Race Meeting?
The 105th Far Hills Race Meeting is on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey. Gates open at 8:00 AM and the first race posts at 1:00 PM.
Can you grill at the Far Hills Race Meeting?
No. The race's official policies prohibit charcoal grills, propane grills, deep-fat fryers, open flames, ovens and generators in Reserved Parking, so plan food that arrives ready to serve.
How long can tailgate food sit out?
USDA advises that perishable food should not be left out of the cooler or off the heat for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F. Keep cold food at 40°F or below and hot food at 140°F or above.
Does The Bedminster Tavern cater for Far Hills?
Yes. The Bedminster Tavern offers catering for the Far Hills Race Meeting, including platters, sandwiches, hors d'oeuvres and packages for 10 to 12 guests. Call (908) 234-1596 to order and confirm race-day details.
Is The Bedminster Tavern open after the races?
Yes. The Bedminster Tavern is open from 11 AM to midnight on Saturdays, with live music from 7 to 10 PM. Reservations are available on Resy.
About The Bedminster Tavern
The Bedminster Tavern is a restaurant and bar at 285 Main Street in Bedminster, New Jersey, in the historic building that was most recently home to Delicious Heights. Led by Executive Chef Christopher Albrecht, The Bedminster Tavern serves a seasonal, Farm-to-Fork menu across its Dining Room, Main Bar and The Stables cocktail and whiskey room, and offers catering and private events. The Bedminster Tavern is part of the Celtic Hospitality Group. Call (908) 234-1596.
Plan your race day
View Catering Menus and call (908) 234-1596 to order for Saturday, October 17. Then Reserve on Resy for dinner after the last race.
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