The inaugural ‘Art of Racing’ Raceday won an award at the prestigious Showcase Awards last year for its unique innovation and the first of two Art of Racing Racedays in 2017 takes place at Pontefract on Monday 3rd July. It once again promises to be a brilliant day for both racing fanatics and those going racing for the first time as the race meeting celebrates everything we know and love about The Sport of Kings!
For those who think they know a bit about racing, the Racecourse are looking for 7 guest tipsters to preview one race each on the day. These form experts will then visit the course on the day to share their knowledge to other racegoers before their race takes place! Pontefract are also looking for those with a keen eye for the horses to join them to pick out the Best Turned Out Horse in each race as well. If you’d like to be considered for either of these roles, please contact the Racecourse on 01977 781307 or email info@pontefract-races.co.uk.
There will also be a beginners commentary booth for people to have a go at commentating on a race ‘behind the scenes’ – everyone taking part will be able to take home a recording of their commentary! With bus trips to see the equine stars down at the start, as well as a mechanical horse for budding jockeys to try out and some fantastic racing, it’s going to be a fun packed day with plenty going on!
On the track the European Breeders Fund sponsor the 2 most valuable races on the card – the Fillies Handicap and the Spindrifter Conditions Stakes. The latter always produces a speedy youngster – the race was won in 2016 by Mark Johnston’s Love Dreams. The race honours Spindrifter, who won an incredible 13 races as a two year old in 1980 – three of which were at Pontefract! The ebfstallions.com Fillies Handicap over 6f has been won for the last two years by Tim Easterby’s Gran Canaria Queen. With £15,000 on offer to the winner, there’s likely to be a host of fillies challenging for top honours in 2017.
The popular Lifetime in Racing Series host a 5f Sprint in honour of Roy Fowler. With a rich history in the sport, Roy ‘Flogger’ Fowler is an unsung hero of the weighing room and has worked tirelessly behind the scenes as a jockey’s valet. We look forward to welcoming him and his family to Pontefract for his race!
There are also three races on the card run in honour of dearly missed family members. Tony Perkins sponsors a couple of races on the card – a Classified Race in honour of his late grandfather Wilfred Underwood and a handicap for Lady Amateur riders celebrating the life of his father, JP. The Conway Family will again be remembering Wayne for the 10th consecutive year. He loved his racing at Pontefract and would have loved having a race in his honour.
The Racecourse will once again be offering discounted tickets to those who book in advance – see www.pontefract-races.co.uk for more information.