The 2016 season looks set to arrive in style at Beverley Racecourse as the popular East Yorkshire track welcomes troops from the Queen’s Own Yeomanry to honour the monarch’s 90th birthday.
The Queen, who visited Beverley Racecourse in 2002, celebrates her 90th birthday on the 21st April, with her official birthday celebrations due to be held in June. To mark the occasion and honour one of racing’s greatest supporters, Beverley Racecourse, who are holding their second race meeting of the new season on this date, will be enlisting the help of the Queen’s Own Yeomanry.
The QOY, a Reservist Light Cavalry Reconnaissance Unit, known more specifically as A Squadron QOY or ‘Yorkshire Cavalry’, has recently returned to re-open its Hull Detachment in Halifax Barracks. After a ten year absence they hope to persuade local people to take up the unique challenge of being part of the Army Reserves. The unit enjoys close ties with the Royal Family and a historic past with Beverley Racecourse, with an annual Yeomanry race held on course until around 1950.
On the 21st April, the unit will bring three of their armoured vehicles for racegoers to get their hands on, along with serving members of the unit who will drill on the course before the specially named Queen’s Own Yeomanry Stakes gets underway at 3pm. Two riders in the traditional mounted uniform of the 1950s will escort the runners down to the start.
Before the race there will also be a sing-along of the National Anthem, led by local mezzo soprano Lucy Stabler, a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire and an up-and-coming star.
Sally Iggulden, Chief Executive of Beverley Racecourse said:
” We are delighted to mark the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen by welcoming the Queen’s Own Yeomanry to our raceday here at Beverley. The Queen is entwined in the fabric of British horseracing, and with the recent relocation of the Queen’s Own Yeomanry back to Hull, it seemed a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the occasion. Many a Royal owned racehorse has graced the Westwood, and the Queen herself visited in 2002 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.”
The QOY’s Recruiting Officer, Captain Timothy Miller, said:
“The Queens own Yeomanry are honoured to be invited to Beverley Racecourse to be a part of their Queen’s Birthday Celebrations. The Regiment has a strong Royal connection, not only in our title but with Prince Charles currently as our Royal Regimental Colonel. We are extremely proud of their history not only with the East Riding Yeomanry but with Beverley itself. Many of our soldiers in the past have originated from Beverley; with the re-opening of our Hull Detachment we hope to re-establish that bond with the local community.”
Tickets for the meeting start at £5 a person and will also be available to buy on the day. Beverley Racecourse’s 2016 season starts on the 13th April and runs throughout the summer, with some fabulous theme days. Early May sees the popular May Day Family Raceday, with lambs to bottle feed, face painting and a fun, friendly afternoon of racing, whilst June sees the glamorous new Laurent-Perrier Evening of the Horse with a daredevil equestrian stunt show, a polo challenge and a 6 race card.

Redcar Racecourse celebrates a cracking Easter event

Tuesday 29th March, 2016

The country’s flat turf racing season got underway as thousands of families from across the region turned out on Easter Monday for Redcar Racecourse’s first Premier meeting of the 2016 season, despite gloomy bank holiday weather.

Thousands of people flocked to the racecourse, which is the only one in the North East to appear in the top 12 racecourses in England, Wales and Scotland in The Racecourse Association’s recent Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme 2015.

Spectators were treated to eight races throughout the day and racegoers also took part in the Easter Bonnet parade, featuring Madeline Hatter and her friends Alice, the Queen of Hearts, and the white rabbit, as well as an Easter treasure hunt.

The front cover of the official racecard featured the art work of Lily-Jo Beel, aged 7 and from Redcar, who won the ‘egg-cellent’ colouring in competition.

As well as enjoying the full VIP hospitality treatment on the day, Lily-Jo presented the winning trophies to two races named in her honour, The Lily-Jo Beel Designed Today’s Racecard Cover Handicap Stakes, to the winning horses Royal Holiday and Sugar Lump.

Lily-Jo, who loved her day at the races, said: “I’m happy I won the competition as it’s been a really fun day and exciting to present to the winners of these two races.”

Redcar Racecourse’s general manager, Amy Fair said the day was a great success despite the weather and was thrilled to see the racing season get off to such a great start.

She said: “Easter Monday was our first meeting of the season following our refurbishment, and it was marvellous to see so many racegoers enjoying their day at the races and really getting into the bank holiday spirit.”

The annual event, included local acts from performing arts company Page2Stage who delivered a wonderful fun-filled day for families from across the region. The Easter egg hunt was a tremendous success with some fantastic efforts in the Easter bonnet parade too.

This is the first of seven exciting Premier meetings for Redcar Racecourse over the 2016 racing season.

The next Premier meeting at Redcar Racecourse is the Zetland Gold Cup Day on May 30th, the bank holiday Monday at the end of May.

There are many hospitality options from the Dine & View package in the Crow’s Nest Restaurant to racegoers’ packages including admission, a racecard, food and drink.

For more information about the Teesside racecourse, visit http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/.

Facebook & Twitter: @Redcarracing

2016 premier meetings:
 Bank holiday Monday 30 May – Zetland Gold Cup day;
 Saturday 18 June – Ladies’ Day;
 Sunday 17 July – Helps For Heroes Family Fun Day;
 Saturday 6 August – Caribbean Carnival day;
 Saturday 27 August – Ladies’ and Gents’ Evening;
 Saturday 1 October – Seasonal climax with the £175,000 Tote Two Year Old Trophy, the Listed Guisborough Stakes and the final of the Pinnacle Racing Straight Mile Championship Series.

BIG GUNS SET SIGHTS ON YORK’S RENOWNED DERBY TRIAL

FOUNDATION and Midterm, who are Betfred’s 12/1 market leaders for the Investec Derby, are both among an impressive eighty-eight strong entry for the Betfred Dante Stakes, to be run at York on Thursday 12 May.

The £160,000 Group 2 – recognised by many as the premier Derby trial – has attracted 19 more entries than at the same stage 12 months ago. The 2015 renewal saw Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs finish first and second – just as they did the following month at Epsom.

That pair were saddled by John Gosden and the Newmarket-based trainer is represented by no fewer than 10 colts at the initial entry stage this season.

One of those is Foundation, who was a high-class two-year-old. He landed the Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket before finishing a luckless third in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy. Foundation already has a clutch of big-race entries for the season ahead and Gosden said: “He is coming along fine.”

Sir Michael Stoute is no stranger to success in the Dante Stakes – he has so far sent out six horses to win the mile and quarter race. Stoute has given the entry to four horses this time around, including Midterm.

The beautifully bred son of Galileo, out of multiple Group 1-winning mare Midday, caught the eye when scoring on his debut at Newbury last October. Stoute indicated that no plans have been set in stone for him yet but said: “I am happy with the colt.”

Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle powerhouse is responsible for no less than twenty-one of the entries. Godolphin are also strongly represented, by fourteen horses.

Trainer Hugo Palmer, has nominated two from his growing operation – Mengli Khan and Galileo Gold. The latter, who proved himself very good when winning the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, is set to have a Guineas as his main spring target – but stable-mate Mengli Khan may contest the Dante. Palmer is expecting his charge to bounce back this season from a below-par effort in the Racing Post Trophy.

He said: “Mengli Khan was disappointing at Doncaster but the ground was too soft for him. He has done really well over the winter. He is a full-brother to Very Special who is now a multiple Group winner in Dubai. I think a mile and a quarter will be at least his trip, so the Dante is a possibility.

“Galileo Gold’s season is to start in a Guineas. Because he wants a little more give in the ground than he is possibly likely to get here in Newmarket, the plan, really for quite a long time, has been the French Guineas.”

Trainer Marco Botti has entered Mr Khalid, a Nottingham maiden winner by a wide-margin. This unexposed son of Pour Moi may be asked to prove himself worthy of a Dante spot with a handicap outing at Newmarket’s Craven meeting in a fortnight’s time.

Botti said: “He has done tremendously well over the winter. Physically, he’s a different horse to last year – much stronger and he has grown.

“I hope to maybe start him in the mile and a quarter handicap at the Craven meeting to see if he could be a potential Group horse. Whether he is up to that level, we will take it step by step and find out.”

York’s season-opening Dante Festival runs from Wednesday, May 11 to Friday, May 13 inclusively.

BETFRED MIDDLETON STAKES ON THE AGENDA

TWO-TIME Group 1 winner Covert Love could start off her 2016 campaign in the Group 2 Betfred Middleton Stakes at York – ahead of taking on the colts.

Trainer Hugo Palmer has outlined an exciting plan for the Darley Irish Oaks heroine that includes Thursday May 12’s mile-and-a-quarter race on the Knavesmire.

Covert Love was one of the stars of last season, also winning over course and distance in late May, then the Group Prix de l’Opera and finishing a neck second to Pleascach in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York. Her only two reverses from seven races in 2015 came when there was some ease in the ground.

The likelihood is the four-year-old Azamour filly will be kept to quicker surfaces this term with top targets such as the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Eclipse Stakes and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes under consideration.

The Breeders’ Cup in November could also on be the agenda for Palmer’s stable star, who is one of twenty-six entries for the £120,000 Betfred Middleton Stakes.
Newmarket-based Palmer said: “Covert Love is in great form. She looks fantastic – she’s much bigger and stronger than she was last year.

“She’s got an entry in the Middleton. She runs well at York. Granted a decent racing surface, I would have thought we’d be turning up at the Middleton – she won’t run before.

“I’d like, at some point, to have a go at the colts. If we don’t run in the Middleton that means we’d be taking on the colts first time…we might have to go to the Prince of Wales’s first time, the Eclipse or even the King George.”

Palmer added: “I’d like her to go to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup. She is a Group 1 winner over 10 and 12 furlongs – the world’s her oyster.”

Palmer is also aware of the quality of this season’s older fillies and mares’ division, which includes Arabian Queen – winner of the 2015 Juddmonte International Stakes at York last August.

She has a Betfred Middleton Stakes entry as does Euro Charline who ran brilliantly to finish second in the $6million Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan on Saturday. Trainer Marco Botti’s five-year-old charge also has options in Hong Kong and a Lockinge Stakes entry.

Botti said: “I need to discuss with Team Valor (owners of Euro Charline) which route we will go. Ideally, I would like to stick with a mile but a mile and a quarter on a flat track like York might be an option. She came back from Dubai on Monday. She battled on and it was a great run.”

York’s season-opening Dante Festival runs from Wednesday, May 11 to Friday, May 13 inclusively.

BETWAY YORKSHIRE CUP ATTRACTS STRONG FIELD

TRAINER Charlie Hills looks to have a strong hand for the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes, which will be staged on the opening day of York’s 2016 season –Wednesday 11 May

The £120,000 Group 2 contest has attracted an exciting initial entry of forty- eight, including three from Hills’ powerful stable at Lambourn.

Hills enjoyed a stellar year in the sprint division last year – thanks in the main to four-time Group 1 and York winner, Muhaarar. The Oasis Dream colt has since been retired to stud, but Hills still looks to have a clutch of speedsters to contend in the key races once again.

Strath Burn and Magical Memory – second and third in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup – and Listed winner Cotai Glory all look capable of making their mark among the fastest sprinters of 2016.

Hills said: “We are looking to go straight to the Duke of York with Strath Burn. He is well. Magical Memory is coming along and I think we shall look to run him somewhere before York.

“I have also entered Cotai Glory in the Duke of York. We are also looking at running him somewhere before and we shall know more then.

“We are some way off but I am happy with how they have all wintered.”

Haydock Sprint Cup hero Twilight Son could renew acquaintances with Strath Burn and Magical Memory at York over six furlongs. Another intriguing entry is the John Gosden-trained three-year-old Shalaa, who won the Group 1 Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes last season.

Two other notables to mention are the 2015 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Mecca’s Angel and Bobby’s Kitten, who was a Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner in 2014. The latter named had his first start for trainer Dermot Weld on Monday when he won a Listed race at Cork by eight and a half lengths!

The highlight on day three of the Dante Festival, Friday 13 May, is the £160,000 Betway Yorkshire Cup. The Group 2 contest, run over the Ebor handicap trip of a mile and three-quarters, has been won in recent years by the likes of Red Cadeaux (2012) and Gospel Choir (2014).

The latter is among this year’s twenty-eight strong entry, which also features emphatic Group 1 Irish St Leger winner, Order of St George and Kingfisher, who chased home Trip To Paris in last year’s Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Both colts represent trainer Aidan O’Brien who has yet to saddle a winner of this prestigious prize.

Top Yorkshire-based handler, Richard Fahey, saddled Glen’s Diamond to win the Betway Yorkshire Cup three years ago and he has made an entry for the Dr Marwan Koukash-owned Suegioo. The 2014 Chester Cup hero put up a solid effort to be fourth in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan last weekend.

York’s season-opening Dante Festival runs from Wednesday, 11 May to Friday 13 May 13.

• RCA Announces results of 2015 Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme
• Accredited by Visit England and Visit Scotland
• 16 racecourses awarded RCA Excellence Accolades
• All racecourses accredited as ‘good’ or better
Go Racing In Yorkshire is very proud to announce that 5 of the Yorkshire race courses are in the top 12 of the Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme 2015.
Now in its seventh year, the scheme allows every racecourse to be assessed and rated by VisitEngland and VisitScotland against other attractions in Britain.
The top twelve in England and Wales for 2015 (listed alphabetically) were:
Ascot, Bangor-on-Dee, Beverley, Carlisle, Chester, Doncaster, Goodwood, Haydock Park, Newbury, Redcar, Ripon, York
The national tourism boards provide a rating that takes into account efficiency and friendliness of customer service as well as cleanliness of facilities. Once again all racecourses scored the minimum rating required to be classed as ‘good’. Collaborating with VisitEngland and VisitScotland allows racecourses to benchmark against other attractions, ensuring that standards of customer experience remain high in the face of such competition.
The RCA Excellence Accolades aim to reward those who achieve exceptionally high marks in specific areas of their assessment. There are six categories in total covering all aspects of the racecourse experience. Beverley’s Terrace and Cleverly’s Bar and Goodwood’s 1812 Bar secured an Accolade for bar area. In the Quality Café/Restaurant section Kempton Park’s Panoramic Restaurant and Ripon’s Club Dining Room were deemed Accolade worthy.
The 2015 Accolade Awards are as follows:
Fast Food Outlet – Musselburgh, York
Bar Area – Beverley, Goodwood
Lovely Loos – Ayr, Chelmsford City, Doncaster, Musselburgh, Hamilton Park
Visitor Information & Signage – Ascot, Bangor-on-Dee, Chester, Huntingdon, Uttoxeter
Quality Café/Restaurant – Kempton Park, Ripon, Musselburgh
Staff Customer Service – Newbury
RCA Chief Executive, Stephen Atkin, said: “Once again our racecourses have demonstrated that they stand up well when compared to other attractions across Britain. We are very proud of the service and value for money that all of our racecourses offer and this is backed up by the results from VisitEngland and VisitScotland.
“Our partnership with both tourism boards allows us to offer customers a guarantee of quality whenever they visit a racecourse. The results show that racecourses large and small can all compete on the same level when it comes to quality and that is one of the unique attractions of British racing.”
Pam Foden, Head of Industry Development at VisitEngland said: “Our racecourses are incredibly popular, both for visitors at home and from abroad. The Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme is an excellent way for racegoers to feel confident that a day at the races will be a quality experience that meets, and in many cases exceeds, expectations.
The RCA Excellence Accolades reflect the high standards of quality found at racecourses across the country, recognising the wonderful ways that racecourses are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure racegoers enjoy their day out.”
Emma White, General Manager of Go Racing In Yorkshire, said:
‘This is a huge achievement for so many of the Yorkshire tracks to be recognised for their endless efforts to provide a top class experience.’
ENDS
For more information please contact Will Aitkenhead – will.aitkenhead@racecourseassociation.co.uk or 01344 873536

Notes to editors
The RCA is the trade body representing 58 of Britain’s racecourses.
Criteria for RCA Excellence Accolades:
• Fast Food Outlet – achieve 90% or higher in ‘Retail & Concessions’ (full section), Staff (Retail & Concessions only) and a 5 rating for ‘Retail & Concessions Cleanliness’

Ripon Racecourse has today received a national RCA Excellence Accolade for its Club Dining Room.
It also takes its place for the first time amongst the top dozen racecourses in the country, according to the VisitEngland assessment scheme.
The national tourism boards provide a rating that takes into account efficiency and friendliness of customer service as well as cleanliness of facilities. All racecourses scored the minimum rating required to be classed as ‘good’. Collaborating with VisitEngland allows racecourses to benchmark against other attractions, ensuring that standards of customer experience remain high in the face of such competition.
For the RCA Excellence Accolades, there are six categories covering all aspects of the racecourse experience, with Ripon securing an Accolade for its Club Dining Room Restaurant in their Club Stand. Ripon stand alongside Musselburgh and Kempton who have also received the award out of 59 Racecourses in the UK.
RCA Chief Executive, Stephen Atkin, said:
“Once again our racecourses have demonstrated that they stand up well when compared to other attractions across Britain. We are very proud of the service and value for money that all of our racecourses offer and this is backed up by the results from VisitEngland and VisitScotland.”
“Our partnership with the tourism board, it allows us to offer customers a guarantee of quality whenever they visit a racecourse. The results show that racecourses large and small can all compete on the same level when it comes to quality and that is one of the unique attractions of British racing.”
Pam Foden, Head of Industry Development at VisitEngland said:
“Our racecourses are incredibly popular, both for visitors at home and from abroad. The Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme is an excellent way for racegoers to feel confident that a day at the races will be a quality experience that meets, and in many cases exceeds, expectations.
The RCA Excellence Accolades reflect the high standards of quality found at racecourses across the country, recognising the wonderful ways that racecourses are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure racegoers enjoy their day out.”
Managing Director at Ripon Racecourse, James Hutchinson, said:
“We are delighted to be recognised in this way. It is a great tribute to all of our staff and racecourse partners who have worked very hard to achieve this result. It gives us another target to work towards during the forthcoming season

 

Doncaster Racecourse has been named as one of the top UK racing venues in a national awards scheme.

Every year the Racecourse Association (RCA) publishes a list of the top racecourses in England, Wales and Scotland via its Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme, which is run in partnership with tourism bodies VisitEngland and VisitScotland.

Now in its seventh year, the scheme allows every UK racecourse to be assessed and rated against other tourism attractions.

The RCA has published its latest findings for 2015, with Doncaster listed in the top 12 UK racecourses and awarded the coveted RCA Excellence Accolade. The Town Moor venue also received a five-star rating for the cleanliness of its lavatories and was commended in the “Lovely Loos” section of the awards.

Kieran Gallagher, executive director at Doncaster Racecourse, said: “We are thrilled to receive this national recognition, which reflects the outstanding work of our valued employees. We strive to offer top-class customer service to the thousands of racegoers who pass through our turnstiles each year.”

The national tourism boards provide a rating that takes into account efficiency and friendliness of customer service as well as cleanliness of facilities at each of the racecourses. By working with VisitEngland and VisitScotland, racecourses can benchmark against other attractions to ensure that they are meeting high standards of customer service.

The RCA Excellence Accolades aim to reward those who achieve exceptionally high marks in specific areas of their assessment. There are six categories in total covering all aspects of the racecourse experience.

Stephen Atkin, RCA chief executive, said: “Once again our racecourses have demonstrated that they stand up well when compared to other attractions across Britain. We are very proud of the service and value for money that all of our racecourses offer and this is backed up by the results from VisitEngland and VisitScotland.

“Our partnership with both tourism boards allows us to offer customers a guarantee of quality whenever they visit a racecourse. The results show that racecourses large and small can all compete on the same level when it comes to quality and that is one of the unique attractions of British racing.”

Pam Foden, head of industry development at VisitEngland, said: “Our racecourses are incredibly popular, both for visitors at home and from abroad. The Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme is an excellent way for racegoers to feel confident that a day at the races will be a quality experience that meets, and in many cases exceeds, expectations.

“The RCA Excellence Accolades reflect the high standards of quality found at racecourses across the country, recognising the wonderful ways that racecourses are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure racegoers enjoy their day out.”

For further information about Doncaster Racecourse or to book tickets call 01302 304200 or go to www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk.

Seeyouatmidnight will step up to three miles for the £32,000 Grade Two totepool Towton Novices’ Chase (2.45pm), the highlight of action-packed afternoon at Wetherby on Medieval Day, Saturday, February 6.

Trained by Sandy Thomson, Seeyouatmidnight laid down a marker for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March when jumping and galloping his rivals into submission in the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase over just short of two miles and five furlongs at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

A winner at Grade Two level over hurdles at a furlong short of three miles, the eight-year-old was third to Silsol on his chasing debut over two and a half miles at Carlisle in November but reversed that form emphatically when scoring by 13 lengths at Kelso over nearly three miles on December 6.

Thomson, who is based in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders, said today: “Seeyouatmidnight has come out of Cheltenham great and we are really happy with him.

“We had a bit of a nightmare with the weather last week. We managed to get a couple of bits of work into him but not much in between.

“I was absolutely delighted with him at Cheltenham. He is a hard horse to pass and given the type of horse he is I always hoped he was capable of a performance like that.

“It looks like it will be another good race at the weekend but we have got to be hopeful. My only slight concern would be really testing ground because I don’t want him to have a real slog this close to Cheltenham. You just worry that a hard race might take the edge off him. The forecast seems to a bit drier down there so hopefully conditions won’t be too bad.”

Also among the entries are Grade Two scorers Southfield Royale (Neil Mulholland) and Native River (Colin Tizzard), who were second and third to Tea For Two in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over three miles at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Brian Ellison has entered Definitly Red, runner-up to Irish raider Black Hercules at Warwick last time out, while Nicky Henderson may run Doncaster runner-up Vyta Du Roc. Classy mare Bitofapuzzle (Harry Fry) and Dipper Novices’ Chase second Blaklion (Nigel Twiston-Davies) are also engaged.

First run in 1996, the Towton Novices’ Chase commemorates the Battle of Towton, a major conflict in the Wars of the Roses which was fought 10 miles from the racecourse on Palm Sunday in 1461.

Those attending Wetherby on Medieval Day will find themselves stepping back in time with living history re-enactments, a medieval kitchen, birds of prey and live music among a number of demonstrations.

The seven-race card gets underway at 1.00pm and concludes at 4.30pm with The Aunt Bessies Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, which celebrates National Yorkshire Pudding Day on Sunday, February 7.

Tickets can be purchased at www.wetherbyracing.co.uk. Accompanied children aged 17 and under are admitted FREE.

Winning the Go Racing in Yorkshire Apprentice Future Stars Series has been
the highlight of 2015 for me and I have to thank the trainers and owners
especially Dave O Meara for giving me the opportunities to ride these
horses. I would also like to thank the sponsors of the series Go Racing in
Yorkshire and White Rose Saddlery.

I have been offered a twelve week fitness and training course for apprentice
jockeys at Jack Berry house in Malton. This is a fantastic facility and the
staff are brilliant I think we are very lucky to have such a facility in the
North of England.

2016 has started off well I have had my first winner on Jebediah Shine at
Chelmsford, she is just a great filly she gives it her all every time and
Dave and her owners have been very supportive. I am looking forward to the
2016 season and hopefully I will have plenty of winners.

Newmarket handler could be represented at York by Ajman Bridge and Mount Logan

TRAINER Luca Cumani will seek to add to his impressive list of successes at York this Saturday when he will target the 56th running of the John Smith’s Cup, with either Ajman Bridge or Mount Logan – or possibly both.

The Italian has struck gold in many of York’s top races, including the Betfred Ebor, the Darley Yorkshire Oaks and the Juddmonte International Stakes.

But Cumani has yet to land the famous extended mile and a quarter handicap – a matter he plans to address this weekend.

Ajman Bridge, a son of Dubawi, was last seen finishing second to Saturday’s likely rival, Arab Dawn, in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot. He had previously finished third to subsequent Old Newton Cup winner Notarised, in a handicap at the Dante Festival and on form he looks to have a strong chance of giving the Newmarket-based trainer a first win in the race.

Stable-mate, Mount Logan, also has strong claims to land the bulk of the £150,000 pot, following a solid fourth in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was beaten just a length and a repeat of that effort would see him in with a decent chance.

Cumani said: “We have yet to finalise plans and at this stage both could run or we may just run one.

“Both horses ran excellent races at Royal Ascot and seem in very good form at home.

“It may be that they both are better over a mile and a half but ten furlongs in such a competitive race where there is a good pace should be fine for them. They have good form and would both go there with a chance.

“It would be a great race to win – many moons ago I won the race but was disqualified. It would be very nice to win it.”

The £150,0000 John Smith’s Cup now has 44 in it after the confirmation stage with market leaders Lightning Spear and Arab Dawn standing their ground.

Ever since it was first run in 1960, the John Smith’s Cup has had a story to tell and 2014 saw Andrea Atzeni claim success for the second year running.

Who will prevail in the 56th renewal and land both a bumper prize and a unique Wedgwood trophy? The last winning favourite was the Walter Swinburn-trained Fairmile, successful in 2006 under Adam Kirby at odds of 6/1.

The support of the Tadcaster brewer makes this the longest running sponsorship on the Flat anywhere in the world and the event is one of Yorkshire’s finest. In addition to the day’s feature there are also six other races on the card including two Listed contests in the John Smith’s Silver Cup and the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes.

The latter looks set for a full field after attracting 24 entries, including last year’s winner Take Cover and the evergreen Kingsgate Native, winner of the 2007 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

The two-date meeting gets underway on Friday with the first of a seven-race card off at 1.45pm.

For Tickets and more information PLEASE CALL 01904 620911 x225
Or visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

Locals are being encouraged to support the Armed Forces at Redcar Racecourse’s Help For Heroes Family Fun Day this month.
The annual event on Sunday 19th July will support Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion and The Felix Fund, a bomb disposal charity based in Catterick Garrison.
Thousands of families from across the North East are expected to attend what is set to be a fantastic day out including bouncy castles, climbing walls, assault courses, and the Crow’s Fair funfair.
There will also be a parade along the final furlong of the racecourse by the armed service standard bearers, which will culminate in a two minute silence to remember all those who have served in the forces. Serving and former armed service personnel are welcome to join in the parade that will take place immediately after the 3.05pm race.
The parade will be led by Eric Howden, who was a member of the Royal Army Ordinance Corps, serving in Germany and Singapore.
Eric commented: “This is a very important year for the armed services, being the 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, the 100th anniversary of the Somme, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and the 70thanniversary of VE and VJ days. It’s a very unique year for our armed services!
“We know the public will come out in force to support the vital work of the chosen forces charities.”
A number of serving and former armed service personnel will be at the event including members of the Royal Logistics Corps, the Yorkshire Regiment, the Merchant Navy, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and the Royal Artillery.
Any serving or former military personnel wearing their medals with an MOD90 card or HM Armed Forces Veteran badge will get free entry into the racecourse on the day in recognition of their service.
The charities will be fundraising at Redcar Racecourse, and members of the armed forces attending will have the opportunity to present winning connections with their prizes.
Amy Fair, general manager of Redcar Racecourse commented: “We can’t wait for the Help For Heroes Family Fun Day! It’s always a proud day for us, supporting such good causes.”

The raceday is the second day of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival and all accompanied children aged 17 and under can come racing for free.
For a chance to win VIP tickets the racecourse is also running a prize draw on its social media accounts. A winner will be randomly selected and will enjoy a day to remember with friends or family.
The remainder of the 2015 season at Redcar has three other feature racedays; Caribbean Carnival Day on 8th August, Ladies’ and Gents’ Evening on 29th August and the famous Two Year Old Trophy on Saturday 3rdOctober.
There are many hospitality options from the Dine & View package in the Crow’s Nest Restaurant, to racegoers’ packages including admission, a racecard, food and drink.
Parties of 10 or more can also save over 20% when they book their Grandstand or Course Enclosure admission tickets in advance.
For more information visit http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/
For more information on Help for Heroes visit http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/
For more information on the Royal British Legion visit http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
For more information on the Felix Fund visit http://www.felixfund.org.uk/

Catterick races’ summer season continues on Wednesday 15th July with a seven race card starting at 2pm.
The feature race over six furlongs is the £10,000 The Handelsbanken Handicap Stakes sponsored by Swedish bank Handelsbanken. The bank has branches throughout the country with a strong local presence, and the is supporting local charity St Teresa’s Hospice.
The final race on the card is The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders’ Handicap Stakes. This is the second race of an eight race series ending at Carlisle on 9th September
The day includes a raffle and collection for St Teresa’s Hospice.
A free shuttle bus, as at all Catterick fixtures, will be in operation from Richmond