Tuesday 7 December 2010

FLAT RACING LEGEND HENRY CECIL TO BE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2011


St Patrick’s Day Derby in aid of Cancer Research UK to be run at The Festival

Cheltenham Racecourse today announced that multiple Derby-winning trainer Henry Cecil will be the Guest of Honour for the first ever St Patrick’s Day Derby at Cheltenham on Thursday, March 17, 2011. The one mile, five furlong charity flat race, run as the seventh race that day, will raise money for Cancer Research UK, this season’s chosen Festival charity.


Commenting upon his involvement, Cecil said: “I was delighted and honoured to be invited by Cheltenham to get involved in the St Patrick’s Day Derby. I’ve always admired the wonderful sport at The Festival from afar, but this will be my first ever visit to the meeting and I am looking forward to sampling the atmosphere at first hand.

“Cancer is an illness that touches most families at some point and my family is no different, so it will be marvellous to be able to play a small part in helping to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK, a charity which does so much to help the fight against this disease.”


This will be the last time for several years that St Patrick’s Day is on a Festival raceday and the occasion will be marked by a series of events and displays with a uniquely Irish feel. The Cheltenham team is hoping that the special charity race and the presence of Henry Cecil will add further interest to what is already a spectacular day of high-class Jump racing.


The Racecourse’s Managing Director, Edward Gillespie, said: “Henry Cecil’s achievements are the stuff of legend, but what is equally remarkable is his universal popularity amongst the racing fraternity, from racegoers, betting shop punters and casual racing fans to fellow trainers and the sport’s professionals across the globe.


“It is a privilege for us to be welcoming him to The Festival for a Derby of a slightly different nature, especially one that is being run in aid of such a good cause. We hope that Henry’s involvement might even attract entries from Derby-winning trainers!”  


Jools Tait, Director of Partnerships of Cancer Research UK, added: “We are thrilled to be involved in this exciting addition to The Festival 2011.


“Last year’s charity race on Ladies Day helped us to raise over £150,000 at Cheltenham and, with the generous support of Henry Cecil, we are hoping to exceed that figure this year.”


Applications are now being invited for the charity race, with a maximum field of 12 runners, open to any amateur riders, licensed or not. Each rider is required to raise a minimum of £5,000 in sponsorship and participants have to provide their own mount, which must have run at least twice under the recognised Rules of Racing. Applications close on December 31, 2010.



For further information about the charity race, or to receive an application form, please contact Sarah Oliver on 01886 884488 or via sph.oliver@btinternet.com

For more information about Cancer Research UK, please contact Davina Yanful on 020 3469 5255 or via davina.yanful@cancer.org.uk

For further information about St. Patrick’s Day activities or any aspect of racing at Cheltenham, please contact Cheltenham’s Communications Manager, Andy Clifton on 07876 330090 or via andy.clifton@thejockeyclub.co.uk


About Henry Cecil

Henry Cecil is one of the most popular and successful trainers in the history of Flat racing in Britain. His career started in 1969, since when he has won 24 British Classics, including four Epsom Derbys, has been Champion Trainer 10 times and has a career tally of well over 3,000 winners. In over 40 years as a trainer, he has won most of the biggest races in Europe and many others around the world.



About Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. Visit www.cancerresearchuk.org for more information.



About The Festival

The Festival 2011 takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse from Tuesday, March 15 to Friday, March 18.



END

Saturday 4 December 2010

BOB CHAMPION ANNOUNCES THE AINTREE LEGENDS CHARITY RACE TO BE RUN ON SATURDAY APRIL 9 JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL DAY 2011

 ALDANITI AND BOB CHAMPION

BOB CHAMPION ANNOUNCES THE AINTREE LEGENDS CHARITY RACE, SUPPORTED BY JOHN SMITH’S, TO BE RUN ON JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL DAY 2011



In 1981, in the year that Charles married Diana, Shergar won the Derby and Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest, Bob Champion (recovering from testicular cancer) and Aldaniti (recovering from a serious leg injury) created a real life fairy story by winning the Grand National.



30 years later – and a few weeks before William marries Kate – Bob Champion will ride on that hallowed Aintree turf once again, on John Smith’s Grand National Day 2011, in a special Bob Champion Aintree Legends Charity race, supported by John Smith’s.



The race will be run on the flat as the first race on the John Smith’s Grand National card on Sat: April 9.



Bob will be joined by a number of retired Grand National winning jockeys as well as some other legends of the weighing room. The line-up already includes the likes of Graham Thorner (1972, Well To Do), Ben De Haan (1983, Corbiere), Hywel Davies (1985, Last Suspect, Brendan Powell (1988, Rhyme ‘N’ Reason), Jimmy Frost (1989, Little Polveir), Marcus Armytage (1990, Mr Frisk), Carl Llewellyn (1992, Party Politics & 1998, Earth Summit), Tony Dobbin (1997, Lord Gyllene), Jim Cullotty (2002, Bindaree) and Peter Scudamore (eight-time champion jockey although he never won the National) and Charlie Swan (10-time Irish champion jockey).



The race will be run in aid of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, which was founded in 1983 and which has so far raised £12 million – that’s approximately £400,000 for every fence of the National that Bob and Aldaniti jumped!



Bob Champion said: “The 1981 Grand National was a remarkable day, not just for me, but all of those around the world who gained hope from my victory in their personal battles against cancer. 30 years on and with the money this race raises, I want to continue to reduce the odds against cancer. I would also like to publicly thank Aintree and John Smith’s in advance as without their enthusiasm and support, this exciting race would not be possible.”



John Smith’s and Aintree launched the John Smith’s Grand National Legends in 2010, an initiative that celebrates the greats of Grand National history. Eight Racing greats were inducted last year after a public vote and the 2011 shortlist will be announced in the New Year.



Mark Given, Brands Director at Heineken UK, brand owner of John Smith's, added: “We are very pleased to support the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and I'm sure the Aintree Legends Race will make an excellent contribution to the John Smith's Grand National day card. The race has already attracted a fascinating line-up of jockeys and the spirit of the event ties in well with the John Smith's Grand National Legends campaign launched last year. ”


Julian Thick, Managing Director of Aintree, agreed: “We are absolutely delighted to host this exciting event on racing's biggest day. Bob's story is inextricably linked to the Grand National and we are honoured to be able to help his fantastic fundraising with what should be an interesting race on John Smith's Grand National Day.”


For further information please go to:
Website: www.bobchampion.org.uk
Facebook: Bob Champion

Contact details:

Bob Champion Cancer Trust: Lucy Wilkinson or Liz Ampaire
Lucy - Tel: 020 7924 3553 / 07973 133685 / lucy@bobchampion.org.uk

Liz - Tel: 0773 333 1945 / liz@lizampairee.com

Aintree
Emma Owen, Marketing and PR Manager
Tel: 0151 5222906 / emma.owen@thejockeyclub.co.uk

John Smiths
Tom Earl, Head of PR, IMG Consulting
Tel: 07973150036 / 020 82335966 / tom.earl@imgworld.com

Bob Champion and the Bob Champion Cancer Trust

Champions, the 1984 film starring John Hurt was a box office hit – and a special Bob Champion Aldaniti pack will be produced to commemorate the 30 year anniversary.

Aldaniti lived to the grand old age of 27, eventually passing away in 1997 at home in his field where he is now buried.

The Bob Champion Cancer Trust has raised £12 million since it was founded in 1983.
The Trust was initially set up to research testicular cancer and has now evolved into prostate cancer, a disease that is expected to overtake both lung and breast cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK by 2018.

Its success lies in the research field and owes much to its rapid assessment for funding i.e. the Trust can react quickly to a request not wasting valuable time and therefore making a difference by early investigation of potential advances.

John Smith’s
 JOHN SMITH’S, the UK’s No 1 ale was installed as the Grand National favourite in 2005 after saddling up to sponsor the world’s most famous horse race in the first of three three-year agreements between brand owners Heineken UK and Aintree Racecourse.

The 2011 John Smith’s Grand National meeting will take place from Thursday, April 7 to Saturday, April 9 in front of 150,000 spectators and a worldwide television audience spanning more than 140 countries and 600 million people.

John Smith’s is horse racing’s biggest commercial sponsor, backing major flat and jump races at more than 30 courses including: the John Smith’s Cup at York; The John Smith’s Northumberland Plate and the John Smith’s Stakes at Newbury.








END

Wednesday 8 September 2010

DONCASTER RACECOURSE HOST TO THE ST LEGER FESTIVAL MEETING SINCE 1776 WINNERS FROM 1776 THROUGHOUT TO DATE 08.09.2010.




DONCASTER RACECOURSE HOST TO THE ST LEGER FESTIVAL MEETING SINCE 1776.


ST LEGER WINNERS IN 2000'S


In 2008, Conduit won the Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes, earning Frankie Dettori and trainer Sir Michael Stoute a fantastic victory over Unsung Hero, Look Here and Aidan O’Brien’s Hindu Kush.


Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time
2000 Millenary Richard Quinn John Dunlop Neil Jones 3:02.58

2001 Milan Michael Kinane Aidan O’Brien Sue Magnier;3:05.16

2002 Bollin Eric Kevin Darley Tim Easterby Sir Neil Westbrook 3:02.92

2003 Brian Boru Jamie Spencer Aidan O’Brien Sue Magnier 3:04.64

2004 Rule of Law Kerrin McEvoy Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 3:06.29

2005 Scorpion Frankie Dettori Aidan O’Brien Sue Magnier; 3:19.01

2006* Sixties Icon Frankie Dettori Jeremy Noseda Susan Roy 2:57.29

2007 Lucarno Jimmy Fortune John Gosden George Strawbridge 3:01.90

2008 Conduit Frankie Dettori Sir Michael StouteBallymacoll Stud 3:07.92
*The 2006 race was run at York Racecourse (over 1 mile, 5 furlongs and 197 yards) because Doncaster Racecourse was undergoing redevelopment.

2009 Mastery T Durcan S Bin Suroor Godolphin



ST LEGER WINNERS IN 1900'S

Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner

1900 Diamond Jubilee Herbert Jones Richard Marsh Prince of Wales (Edward VII)

1901 Doricles Kempton Cannon Alfred Hayhoe Leopold de Rothschild

1902 Sceptre Fred Hardy Bob Sievier Bob Sievier

1903 Rock Sand Danny Maher George Blackwell Sir James Miller

1904 Pretty Polly Willie Lane Peter Gilpin Eustace Loder

1905 Challacombe Otto Madden Alec Taylor, Jr. Washington Singer

1906 Troutbeck George Stern Willie Waugh 2nd Duke of Westminster

1907 Wool Winder Bill Halsey Harry Enoch Ned Baird

1908 Your Majesty Wal Griggs Charles Morton Jack B. Joel

1909 Bayardo Danny Maher Alec Taylor, Jr. Alfred W. Cox1910 Swynford Frank Wootton George Lambton 17th Earl of Derby

1911 Prince Palatine Frank O’Neill Henry Beardsley Thomas Pilkington

1912 Tracery George Bellhouse John Watson August Belmont, Jr.

1913 Night Hawk Elijah Wheatley Jack Robinson William Walker

1914 Black Jester Wal Griggs Charles Morton Jack B. Joel

1915 Pommern Steve Donoghue Charley Peck Solly Joel

1916 Hurry On Charlie Childs Fred Darling James Buchanan

1917 Gay Crusader Steve Donoghue Alec Taylor, Jr. Alfred W. Cox

1918 Gainsborough Joe Childs Alec Taylor, Jr. Lady James Douglas

1919 Keysoe Brownie Carslake George Lambton 17th Earl of Derby

1920 Caligula Arthur Smith Jack Leader Mathradas Goculdas

1921 Polemarch Joe Childs Tom Green 7th Marquess of Londonderry

1922 Royal Lancer Bobby Jones Alf Sadler 5th Earl of Lonsdale

1923 Tranquil Tommy Weston Charles Morton 17th Earl of Derby

1924 Salmon-Trout Brownie Carslake Dick Dawson HH Aga Khan III

1925 Solario Joe Childs Reg Day Sir John Rutherford

1926 Coronach Joe Childs Fred Darling 1st Baron Woolavington

1927 Book Law Henri Jelliss Alec Taylor, Jr. 2nd Viscount Astor

1928 Fairway Tommy Weston Frank Butters 17th Earl of Derby

1929 Trigo Michael Beary Dick Dawson William Barnett

1930 Singapore Gordon Richards Tommy Hogg 1st Baron Glanely

1931 Sandwich Harry Wragg Jack Jarvis 6th Earl of Rosebery

1932 Firdaussi Freddie Fox Frank Butters HH Aga Khan III

1933 Hyperion Tommy Weston George Lambton 17th Earl of Derby

1934 Windsor Lad Charlie Smirke Marcus Marsh Martin H. Benson

1935 Bahram Charlie Smirke Frank Butters HH Aga Khan III

1936 Boswell Pat Beasley Cecil Boyd-Rochfort William Woodward, Sr.

1937 Chulmleigh Gordon Richards Tommy Hogg 1st Baron Glanely

1938 Scottish Union Brownie Carslake Noel Cannon Jimmy Rank

1939 no race (World War II)

1940 Turkhan Gordon Richards Frank Butters HH Aga Khan III

1941 Sun Castle George Bridgland Cecil Boyd-Rochfort 1st Viscount Portal

1942 Sun Chariot Gordon Richards Fred Darling King George VI

1943 Herringbone Harry Wragg Walter Earl 17th Earl of Derby

1944 Tehran Gordon Richards Frank Butters HH Aga Khan III

1945 Chamossaire Tommy Lowrey Dick Perryman Stanhope Joel

1946 Airborne Tommy Lowrey Dick Perryman John Ferguson

1947 Sayajirao Edgar Britt Sam Armstrong HH Maharaja of Baroda

1948 Black Tarquin Edgar Britt Cecil Boyd-Rochfort William Woodward, Sr.

1949 Ridge Wood Michael Beary Noel Murless Geoffrey Smith

1950 Scratch Rae Johnstone Charles Semblat Marcel Boussac

1951 Talma Rae Johnstone Charles Semblat Marcel Boussac

1952 Tulyar Charlie Smirke Marcus Marsh HH Aga Khan III

1953 Premonition Eph Smith Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Wilfred Wyatt

1954 Never Say Die Charlie Smirke Joe Lawson Robert Sterling Clark

1955 Meld Harry Carr Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Lady Zia Werner

1956 Cambremer Freddie Palmer Georges Bridgland Ralph B. Strassburger

1957 Ballymoss Tommy Burns Vincent O’Brien John McShain

1958 Alcide Harry Carr Cecil Boyd-Rochfort Sir Humphrey de Trafford

1959 Cantelo Eddie Hide Charles Elsey William Hill

1960 St. Paddy Lester Piggott Noel Murless Sir Victor Sassoon

1961 Aurelius Lester Piggott Noel Murless Vera Lilley

1962 Hethersett Harry Carr Dick Hern Lionel Holiday

1963 Ragusa Garnie Bougoure Paddy Prendergast Jim Mullion

1965 Provoke Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jakie Astor

1966 Sodium Frankie Durr George Todd Radha Sigtia

1967 Ribocco Lester Piggott Fulke Johnson Houghton Charles W. Engelhard, Jr.

1968 Ribero Lester Piggott Fulke Johnson Houghton Charles W. Engelhard, Jr.

1969 Intermezzo Ron Hutchinson Harry Wragg Gerry Oldham

1970 Nijinsky Lester Piggott Vincent O’Brien Charles W. Engelhard, Jr.

1971 Athens Wood Lester Piggott Harry Thomson Jones Eileen Rogerson

1972 Boucher Lester Piggott Vincent O’Brien Ogden Phipps

1973 Peleid Frankie Durr Bill Elsey William E. Behrens

1974 Bustino Joe Mercer Dick Hern Lady Beaverbrook1975 Bruni Tony Murray Ryan Price Charles St. George

1976 Crow Yves Saint-Martin Angel Penna, Sr. Daniel Wildenstein

1977 Dunfermline Willie Carson Dick Hern Queen Elizabeth II

1978 Julio Mariner Eddie Hide Clive Brittain Marcus Lemos

1979 Son of Love Alain Lequeux Robert Collet Alexis Rolland

1980 Light Cavalry Joe Mercer Henry Cecil Jim Joel

1981 Cut Above Joe Mercer Dick Hern Sir Jackie Astor

1982 Touching Wood Paul Cook Harry Thomson Jones Maktoum Al Maktoum

1983 Sun Princess Willie Carson Dick Hern Sir Michael Sobell

1984 Commanche Run Lester Piggott Luca Cumani Ivan Allan

1985 Oh So Sharp Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil Sheikh Mohammed

1986 Moon Madness Pat Eddery John Dunlop Duchess of Norfolk

1987 Reference Point Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil Louis Freedman

1988 Minster Son Willie Carson Neil Graham Lady Beaverbrook

1989* Michelozzo Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil Charles St. George

1990 Snurge Richard Quinn Paul Cole Martyn Arbib

1991 Toulon Pat Eddery André Fabre Khalid Abdullah

1992 User Friendly George Duffield Clive Brittain Bill Gredley

1993 Bob’s Return Philip Robinson Mark Tompkins Mrs Jackie Smith

1994 Moonax Pat Eddery Barry Hills Sheikh Mohammed

1995 Classic Cliche Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

1996 Shantou Frankie Dettori John Gosden Sheikh Mohammed

1997 Silver Patriarch Pat Eddery John Dunlop Peter Winfield

1998 Nedawi John Reid Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

1999 Mutafaweq Richard Hills Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin



ST LEGER WINNERS FROM 1776 TO 1899.
1776 - Allabaculia
1777 - Bourbon
1778 - Hollandaise
1779 - Tommy
1780 - Ruler
1781 - Serina
1782 - Imperatrix
1783 - Phoenomenon
1784 - Omphale
1785 - Cowslip
1786 - Paragon
1787 - Spadille
1788 - Young Flora
1789 - Pewett
1790 - Ambidexter
1791 - Young Traveller
1792 - Tartar
1793 - Ninety-Three
1794 - Beningbrough
1795 - Hambletonian
1796 - Ambrosio
1797 - Lounger
1798 - Symmetry
1799 - Cockfighter
1800 - Champion
1801 - Quiz
1802 - Orville
1803 - Remembrancer
1804 - Sancho
1805 - Stavely
1806 - Fyldener
1807 - Paulina
1808 - Petronius
1809 - Ashton
1810 - Octavian
1811 - Soothsayer
1812 - Otterington
1813 - Altisidora
1814 - William
1815 - Filho da Puta
1816 - The Duchess
1817 - Ebor
1818 - Reveller
1819 - Antonio
1820 - St. Patrick
1821 - Jack Spigot
1822 - Theodore
1823 - Barefoot
1824 - Jerry
1825 - Memnon
1826 - Tarrare
1827 - Matilda
1828 - The Colonel
1829 - Rowton
1830 - Birmingham
1831 - Chorister
1832 - Margrave
1833 - Rockingham
1834 - Touchstone
1835 - Queen of Trumps
1836 - Elis
1837 - Mango
1838 - Don John
1839 - Charles XII
1840 - Launcelot
1841 - Satirist
1842 - Blue Bonnet
1843 - Nutwith
1844 - Faugh-a-Ballagh
1845 - The Baron
1846 - Sir Tatton Sykes
1847 - Van Tromp
1848 - Surplice
1849 - The Flying Dutchman
1850 - Voltigeur
1851 - Newminster
1852 - Stockwell
1853 - West Australian
1854 - Knight of St George
1855 - Saucebox
1856 - Warlock
1857 - Imperieuse
1858 – Sunbeam
1859 - Gamester
1860 - St. Albans
1861 - Caller Ou
1862 - The Marquis
1863 - Lord Clifden
1864 - Blair Athol
1865 - Gladiateur
1866 - Lord Lyon
1867 - Achievement
1868 - Formosa
1869 - Pero Gomez
1870 - Hawthornden
1871 - Hannah
1872 - Wenlock
1873 - Marie Stuart
1874 - Apology
1875 - Craig Millar
1876 - Petrarch
1877 - Silvio
1878 - Jannette
1879 - Rayon d’Or
1880 - Robert the Devil
1881 - Iroquois
1882 - Dutch Oven
1883 - Ossian
1884 - The Lambkin
1885 - Melton
1886 - Ormonde
1887 - Kilwarlin
1888 - Seabreeze
1889 - Donovan
1890 - Memoir
1891 - Common
1892 - La Flèche
1893 - Isinglass
1894 - Throstle
1895 - Sir Visto
1896 - Persimmon
1897 - Galtee More
1898 - Wildfowler
1899 - Flying Fox
In 1853, West Australian became the first ever Triple Crown winner, winning the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St Leger Stakes.


END