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EQUINETOURISM.CO.UK - RACING - HORSE RACING
'A Thoroughbred racehorse is one of God's most impressive engines. Tipping the scales at up to 1,450 pounds, he can sustain speeds of forty miles per hour. Equipped with reflexes much faster than those of the most quick-wired man, he swoops over as much as 28ft of earth in a single stride, and corners on a dime. His body is a paradox of masses and lightness, crafted to slip through air with the ease of an arrow. His mind is impressed with a single command: run. He pursues speed with superlative courage, pushing beyond defeat, beyond exhaustion, sometimes beyond the structural limits of bone and sinew. In flight, he is Nature's ultimate wedding of form and purpose.'From Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand
P J HOBBS
Sandhill Racing Stables
Set in 500 acres of top quality farmland, there are 100 stables, 1.5mile grass gallop, a 5 furlong 'woodchip' gallop, a 3 furlong 'polytrack' schooling ground, horse walkers and an equine pool. Philip Hobbs trains 100 horses; has sent out over 1000 winners and has finished in the country's top four National Hunt trainers since 1999. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS
Sandhill Racing Stables, Bilbrook, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6HA
EXMOOR
RI-DRY CLOTHING
The ultimate in wet weather protection clothing for horse and rider! Fully waterproof and breathable racing bomber jackets, hunter coats, chaps, overbreeches and even waterproofs for kids. For the horse in your life. Mud Protector Hoods offer a practical solution to a mud coated neck and mane. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS
Leading the field curing equine blood vessel problems. A friendly racing yard with a great atmosphere. We focus on one-to-one care and attention - happy horses win races. Find all the latest results, entries and horses to follow from the yard at www.rleeracing.com.
Tel 01544 267672
Mobile 07836 537145 Richard & Carol Lee
Richard Lee, Bell House, Byton, Presteigne, Herefordshire LD8 2HS
EXMOOR - SOMERSET
East Lynch Stud - Thoroughbred Stud The stud is beautifully located with quiet, quality grazing and excellent facilities and care for mares and foals. Visiting mares welcome by arrangement.
Stallion standing:Franklins Gardens(by Halling out of Woodbeck)
Dark bay high class Group winner - 4 victories at 2,3 and 5 years inc Gr.2 Yorkshire Cup, the Gr.3 Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes and the Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom.are for mares and foals. Visiting mares welcome by arrangement. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS
Go Racing at Exeter Racecourse . . .
. . . for an unforgettable experience! Top quality racing at the South West's most prestigious racecourse - many a great National Hunt champion has started their career at Exeter - such as Best Mate and Desert Orchid. You'll have a great day out and there is always something going on - see our website for a full list of events. Exeter racecourse offers wonderful views down towards Dartmoor and is one of the loveliest courses, and one of the fairest tracks in the country. Corporate hospitality, restaurant and conference facilities.
The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) The ARO arranges race meetings for arabian horses at a number of race courses across the United Kingdom. ARO, officially the Arabian Racing Organisation Limited, is the sole Arabian Racing Authority in the UK, operating with the support and permission of the Jockey Club of Great Britain and the British Horseracing Board (BHB). ARO regulates and promotes Arabian Racing in the UK. For a full list of fixtures, please visit the website.
Telephone: 01635 524445
Fax: 01635 230200 info@aroracing.co.uk www.aroracing.co.uk Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO), The Racecourse, Newbury, Berkshire. RG14 7NZ
SCOTLAND
Scottish Racing - The Tartan Turf Guide The Tartan Turf Guide brings together all the information a racegoer might need to enjoy and participate in the Scottish horse racing world. Find the best places to stay, restaurants, distilleries, golf courses and local attractions. The guide also includes contact details for the Scottish racehorse trainers, bloodstock agents, equestrian services and industry organisations - as well as winner finding statistics and even travel information. In other words - a holistic approach to racing!
Taunton Racecourse
One of the most beautifully located racecourses in the country, with outstanding views across to the Blackdown Hills, and yet close to the centre of Taunton. Entertain your clients, family or friends with the excitement and atmosphere of a day at the races - The Sport of Kings. The Racecourse can also be hired for special occasions and has a reputation for providing ideal settings for exhibitions, conferences, seminars, weddings and parties - with style. The fully equipped restaurant and function rooms offer a professional and friendly service, first class cuisine and a memorable function - with prices to suit every budget.
Tel: 01823 325035
or 01823 337172
Fax: 01823 325881
Racing News (currently South West) and this section will be expanding
February 26: Festival Fever at Exeter Racecourse With the Cheltenham Festival just a week away, the pressure will be on the jockeys to stay in one piece at Exeter next Tuesday in the hope they don’t sustain injury and jeopardise their chance of riding at the country’s premier meeting. The atmosphere is sure to be buzzing at the Devon track as anticipation for the Festival grows. Last year the national champion, Tony McCoy, was lucky to escape unscathed when his horse ran out at a hurdle and chucked him on the ground. He’ll be keeping everything crossed that history doesn’t repeat itself.
The Totesport Devon Marathon, run over an extended three miles six furlongs, is the feature race of the day and the 2006 winner, Earl’s Kitchen, ridden by Joe Tizzard, won in a real slog in the mud. In third place was Naunton Brook. He has since won twice for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and is being aimed at the Grand National in April. The race is worth more than £12,000 to the winner and normally attracts a competitive entry but the rule of thumb is to stick with horses with proven stamina as they need everything they’ve got to finish this tough race.
Racing kicks off with the Totepool Novices’ Hurdle at 2.20pm. It’s run over three miles and half a furlong and, like the Devon National, only for those with plenty of stamina. Then it’s the European Breeders’ Fund Mares Only National Hunt Novices Hurdle, a qualifier for the final at Newbury later in the month which has a total prize fund of £50,000. To get into Festival fever there’s the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Novices’ Steeple Chase run over two miles three an a half furlongs followed by the Totepool Handicap Hurdle over two miles three furlongs.
Concluding the day is the Totesport Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle.
24 January 2007: Exeter to host Cheltenham Festival preview evening
Exeter Racecourse is to host its first ever Cheltenham Festival preview evening on February 28. The top three trainers in the West Country, Philip Hobbs, Paul Nicholls and David Pipe, will all be represented so the evening should give an exciting insight into their hopes at the Festival.
The panel of guests will include Johnson White, assistant to Philip Hobbs, David Pipe, Dan Skelton, assistant to Paul Nicholls and Tom Scudamore. Luke Harvey will host the evening.
Tickets cost £10 each and include drinks and canapés. Please call the racecourse to book (01392 832599).
21 December 2006: Exeter to become a Jockey Club Racecourse Exeter Racecourse is set to join the Jockey Club’s portfolio of racecourses. The Directors of Devon and Exeter Steeplechases Ltd and Racecourse Holdings Trust Ltd are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached in principle for Exeter to become part of RHT, which from January 2007 will operate under the title of Jockey Club Racecourses. Following completion of the relevant due diligence reports, the racecourse is expected to become the fourteenth course to join the group. The formalities are expected to be completed early in the New Year.
As part of the agreement, Jockey Club Racecourses is committed to a £2.4 million investment programme to be completed within the next three years. This investment, which is subject to the provision of a Levy Board loan towards the funding, is expected to include a rebuild of the weighing room complex, as well additional corporate boxes and viewing stands. Delivery of the planned development will add a significant, new dimension to standards of service for racegoers, as well as considerably expanding the potential for non- raceday activities.
Major General Nick Vaux, Chairman of Exeter, said: "We are delighted to have reached agreement with the Jockey Club’s racecourse group for what will undoubtedly be an important stage in the continuing development of this famous West Country racecourse. As the running of racecourses becomes a more competitive and commercial business, we believe that Exeter’s inclusion within the leading racecourse group in the country will enable the track to continue to progress and guarantee the provision of quality racing for the longer term. We are proud of the standing that Exeter Racecourse has acquired within the National Hunt community but we believe that the transfer to Jockey Club Racecourses will enhance that reputation still further as the group shares our commitment to promoting and developing National Hunt racing.”
7 December 2006- Exeter Racecourse hosts new graduation chase Some of jump racing’s rising stars look set to line up in the Happy Birthday Sally White Graduation Steeple Chase at Exeter next Thursday. The races have been created by the BHB to help bridge the gap between a horse’s novice campaign and second season and have been scheduled at six different courses in November and December. They are weight-for-age contests with total prize-money values set at £25,000.
With Exeter’s reputation as being the perfect nurturing ground for young steeple chasers, race goers could be in for a treat.
Also on the card is the Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle, which begins the seven race card at 12.40pm. This race has thrown up plenty of subsequent winners in the past. Last year it was won by Kings Rock and behind him came She’s Our Native and Frosty Jak who have both gone on to become multiple winners.
The Lady Catherine 40th Birthday Beginners’ Steeple Chase is another event which has attracted a lot of interest in the past. Last year’s renewal saw Lough Derg come home in front with the highly regarded Bob Bob Bobbin in third.
The South-West Racing Club has given its name to the handicap steeple chase and the handicap hurdle. Also on the card is a mares’ only novices’ hurdle and mares’ only novices’ steeple chase. This race is past of a series sponsored by the European Breeders’ Fund and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and culminates in a Listed £30,000 final at Newbury in March.
Visit Exeter’s on-line ticketing facility at www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk for a 10% discount off both the Course & Paddock Enclosure and Premier Haldon Enclosure prices for advanced bookings. The website also has update news and information from the course.
8 November 2006: Press Release from Exeter Racecourse
Get into the Christmas spirit at Exeter Racecourse NEXT Thursday, (Dec 14) Exeter Racecourse will stage a new graduation chase created by the BHB to help bridge the gap between a horse’s novice campaign and second season. The contests have been scheduled at six tracks in November and December to provide an additional stepping stone for horses striving to climb the chasing ranks. The races are weight-for-age contests with total prize-money values set at £25,000.
With just four days to go before Christmas Day, Exeter Racecourse’s race meeting on December 21 could prove the perfect day out to enjoy the festivities. There are plenty of treats in store at the course as well as some high class racing action. Father Christmas will be paying the course a visit and he’ll have a sack full of goodies for children. There will also be Christmas carols to add to the festive spirit. First race is off at 12.40pm.
Visit Exeter’s on-line ticketing facility at www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk for a 10% discount off both the Course & Paddock Enclosure and Premier Haldon Enclosure prices for advanced bookings. It also provides up to date news, views, reports and race day previews.
For further information please contact Lucy Johnson (01548 831548) or Geoffrey Billson (01392 832599)
Nov 06: Desert Orchid, the nation’s favourite racehorse, dies at the grand old age of 27.
Desert Orchid, owned by Richard Burridge and four times winner of the King George VI Rank Chase and of the Cheltenham Gold Cup died in his sleep early yesterday morning, Monday 13 November, in Newmarket. Tributes to Dessie, as he was known to his thousands of fans, flowed in throughout the day, led by Midge Burridge whose late husband bred and part owned Desert Orchid, David Elsworth who trained him and Richard Dunwoody who rode him. The Desert Orchid legend grew as the habitual front runner showed exceptional talent and stamina to win over short and long distances. His career spanned nine years from 1982 to 1991, with his finest hour being victory in the gruelling Cheltenham Gold Cup of 1989. In retirement he became an equine celebrity and fund raiser, although he never did supermarkets or bookmakers shops as most people thought he did. He did however meet all the Royal Family and was a particular favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. David Elsworth remarked that “he departed this world in the same individual way he did his living; with dignity and no fuss”. Desert Orchid was cremated yesterday and his ashes will be placed by his life-size statue at Kempton Park on December 27 when the inaugural Desert Orchid Chase, scheduled before his death, will be run. Source: Times Newspaper 14 Nov 2006
October 10: Press Release from Exeter Racecourse Racing hero remembered in Best Mate Steeple Chase BEST Mate, National Hunt’s racing hero who won three Cheltenham Festival Gold Cups, will be remembered at Exeter Racecourse next Tuesday (October 17) where he sadly died last year. The Best Mate Beginners’ Steeple Chase has been named after one of the nation’s favourite ever racehorses and is expected to attract some high calibre horses.
Best Mate began his own steeple chasing career at Exeter when he won the equivalent race, a novices’ chase, in 2000. He went on to win two William Hill Gold Cups at the course, the race in which he lost his life last year; his presence ensuring the track enjoyed record crowds each time. Exeter’s managing director Geoffrey Billson said: “We are very proud to name this race after Best Mate who meant so much to so many people. He won the race six years ago and it would be wonderful to think this year’s winner could follow in his footsteps.”
Exeter is widely regarded as one of the best courses for young horses to launch their steeple chase careers and with the seven race card also featuring a beginners’ chase over two miles seven and a half furlongs, next Tuesday will be no exception. Sponsored by 3663 Duchy of Cornwall. The race is worth nearly £6,000 to the winning horse.
The first race is off at 2.10pm with the gg.com Amateur Riders Novices’ Hurdle followed by the Gerrard Novices’s Hurdle. Alos featured is the Audrey Chudleigh Memorial Perpetual Handicap Hurdle, the Homeoak Trading Handicap Steeple Chase and the SIS Junior National Hunt Flat Race.
The new season at Exeter kicked off to a flying start at the beginning of the month with two potentially smart horses – Boychuk and Warpath – winning. Plymouth Argyle enjoyed a bonding day at the course with 60 travelling up from Home Park, and the Injured Jockeys’ Fund was welcomed with open arms.
For further information please contact Lucy Johnson (01548 831548) or Geoffrey Billson (01392 832599)
Further reading: If you are a racing enthusiast and like to read, then if there is one book to buy this year, it is this one: 'The Byerley Turk' The True Story of the First Thoroughbred
by Jeremy James
Published by Merlin Unwin Books 2005. www.merlinunwin.co.uk
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