Submissions to Audition Now Open, With One Winner Chosen to Sing the National Anthem at the 105thRunning of The Hunt on October 17that Moorland Farm
The Far Hills Race Meeting Association (FHRMA) is now accepting entries for its Oh, Say Can You Sing? national anthem singing contest, offering one winner the chance to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of tens of thousands of racegoers at the 105th running of The Hunt – the nation’s premier steeplechase horse racing event – on October 17th at Moorland Farm. In celebration of America 250, the contest is open to singers ages 16 and older from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, with initial submissions due June 1st. To enter, applicants should visit https://farhillsrace.org/oh-say-can-you-sing/.
With its longstanding commitment to supporting healthcare across the region, and with a specific focus on elevating cancer awareness and care alongside Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset at the Steeplechase Cancer Center, the FHRMA felt it was fitting to ask that contest applicants have a personal connection to cancer, submitting in honor of their own fight, or a family member or loved one currently battling the disease, that has overcome it, or in their memory. Entries will be narrowed down, with finalists invited to perform their renditions of the national anthem at a live performance on June 25th at the Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJUH Somerset, in Somerville, NJ.
“Few songs carry the power and pride of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ and we can’t wait to discover the voice that will lead it next at Moorland Farm this October,” said Ron Kennedy, Chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting Association.
“But Oh, Say Can You Sing? is about more than a singing competition – it’s a tribute to the courage, resilience and sacrifice behind every cancer journey. We’re honored to hear the stories that accompany these submissions and to partner with RWJUH Somerset and an outstanding panel of judges on June 25th to select this year’s winner.”
For over a century, the Far Hills Race Meeting Association has partnered with RWJUH Somerset to help deliver exceptional care for patients across the county and the region. Through RWJUH Somerset’s partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute – the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – patients can access leading-edge treatment options, including clinical trials. In recognition of the association’s longstanding generosity, and more than $22 million dollars of donations, the hospital’s state-of-the-art Steeplechase Cancer Center and Behavioral Health Unit bear its name. Most recently, in 2025, the association announced an additional $1.25 million commitment to the Steeplechase Cancer Center’s Far Hills Race Meeting Association Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, which provides vital support for cancer patients, specifically those facing financial hardship.
“We are proud to partner with the Far Hills Race Meeting Association to bring back this contest in conjunction with our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Deirdre Blaus, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Somerset. “The Far Hills Race Meeting Association is our hospital’s most generous benefactor and has made a lasting impact on the health of generations of families in our community, particularly those with cancer. We look forward to hearing the contestants’ heartfelt stories and powerful voices as they share their singing talents with us.”
The 105th running of the Far Hills Race Meeting, sponsored by Open Road Auto Group, will take place on Saturday, October 17th. Since its inception, it has raised over $22 million for local healthcare to date, and will support five worthy beneficiaries in 2025, including RWJUH Somerset, Crossroads4Hope, Community in Crisis, LifeCamp and Bonnie Brae.
For tickets, details and more, visit www.farhillsrace.org or call (888) 516-5554. Stay up to date on Race Day by signing up for the email list or following on Facebook or Instagram.
