With a prestigious 101-year history and deep roots in Somerset County, Peapack-Gladstone Bank has consistently invested in the communities where it operates. And nowhere is that more evident than in the bank’s long and proud history with the Far Hills Race Meeting.
For more than 40 years, Peapack-Gladstone Bank has provided a broad mix of support at all stages of the event, from advanced ticketing at its branches, to providing volunteers for event-day program sales and back-office counting and, in recent years, ATM service. In 2014, Peapack-Gladstone Bank became the Far Hills Race Meeting’s marquee sponsor. On Race Day, the 20-branch community bank hosts a 300-person gala at its hilltop tent, inviting clients, prospects and executive-level employees to attend a can’t-miss affair.
“It’s an amazing event,” said Denise Pace-Sanders, Senior Vice President and Managing Principal for Peapack Gladstone Bank who has been involved with the Far Hills Race Meeting during her 16-year tenure at the bank. “We’re able to throw a glamorous party at a charity event and get executives in front of people that they normally wouldn’t be able to interact with. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Pace-Sanders said the bank’s deep ties to the Far Hills Race Meeting simply makes sense. Founded in 1921 by wealthy landowners, Peapack-Gladstone Bank is at the heart of “horse country” and its brand is steeped in equestrian heritage—its logo even features a horse and rider.
This year, both Far Hills Race Meeting and Peapack-Gladstone Bank are celebrating their 101st anniversaries. And since the bank held a scaled-back event last year due to COVID-19, Pace-Sanders said that they are pulling out all the stops this coming October 15.
“We’re full on and fully back,” Pace-Sanders said, noting that they try to make each year unique, handing out gifts such as wine stoppers with horses on top, grill tools and horse-themed scarves and ties. “We try to make the event special, with nametags and gifts and dressing up the space, almost like you’re sitting in a ballroom.”
On Race Day, Pace-Sanders said she’ll usually arrive at 6:30 a.m. with a crew of volunteers to start setting up. A high point of the day is getting to sit in the Tower, meet the jockeys and stand next to the winning horses – a unique Race Day perk offered exclusively to sponsors of the Far Hills Race Meeting
“It’s so much fun to be there,” she said. “I always remember what it feels like driving home at the end of a long day with the car loaded. I’m always so satisfied that it was a fun day.”
