After-Pony Party at Rancho Valencia on July 22, 2024
In the horse world, opening day at the racetrack is a big deal. This is true of both Ascot, UK, and Del Mar, California. Opening day is always a sell-out and the stands are packed with people dressed to celebrate. There is fierce competition to see who can wear the fanciest hat. This year, opening day was Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Just ten minutes from the racetrack is the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, known among connoisseurs as one of the best small hotels in the United States. Its reputation is well-deserved, as it consistently provides a first-class experience for its guests and those who take advantage of the food, tennis court and other amenities.
A few years ago, Rancho Valencia began hosting an after-party on the opening day of the Del Mar racing season. The expected crowd was the crowd that normally attends such a party. This year, it was the most successful after-racing party yet. It included all the signature moves of Kate Woods, who coordinates special events for the hotel.
The event is called After Ponywhich alludes to the opening day theme and the name of the hotel’s popular restaurant, The Pony Room. There were people coming from the day’s event and the racetrack, as well as others who wanted to attend the event all day long. The party went from 6pm to 10pm, and the Pony Room stayed open after the party for those who hadn’t yet had a full night of partying.
Working at the dessert bar
After Pony attracted a classy crowd. The outdoor lawn was transformed by a theme that saw half of the perimeters have specially constructed seating areas that resemble the tables you’d find in an EDM club. The rest of the square space was a massive bar, DJ booth, and the entrance, where arriving guests were offered a Paloma cocktail or glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne. In the center of the room was a large dance floor that grew livelier as the evening progressed. Alongside this was a wide selection of bountiful appetizers, focusing on specialties like Rancho Valencia’s popular sliders, as well as everything else from lobster rolls to an endless supply of desserts.
Veuve Clicquot’s pop-up bar at the entrance to After Pony
This was an event where people came to meet, mingle, and dance. It was intimate, even though the party was packed to capacity. I spoke with many of those in attendance, all of whom had a great time. Kate Wells, a well-respected local real estate agent who specializes in selling estates in Rancho Santa Fe and the surrounding areas, told me how much she enjoyed the party. Her friends shared the same opinion. It’s easy to tell when a party is working. The room is buzzing with energy, and those in attendance are mixing well. When the dance floor is packed all night long and the moon comes out and lights up the room, the setting is perfect for partying.
People look forward to opening day all spring long. And when it arrives, they all come. Rancho Valencia knows how to do their local community a favor by throwing a party with a good theme and good service. Mark your calendar for next year. You don’t want to miss what has become a local tradition.
