GO RACING IN YORKSHIRE
FEBRUARY 2014
Wetherby stages a ‘Medieval Raceday’ on the opening day of the month (Saturday, 1st), to highlight the afternoon’s feature race, The totepool Towton Novices’ Chase. Leading novice chasers will be advertising their credentials when they participate in this Grade 2 contest for up-and-coming chasers.
Acknowledged as the bloodiest battle ever fought on British soil, The Battle of Towton in 1461 was a cataclysmic event in the ‘Wars of the Roses’ and took place only a few miles from Wetherby. It resulted in a Yorkist victory and almost 553 years later, the battle is commemorated at this meeting with living history re-enactments, battle demonstrations, archery, falconry and live music, making it a full day out for the family.
Recent winners of the ‘Towton’ include Goulanes (last year), Wayward Prince and Weird Al (who went on to win Wetherby’s other Grade 2 Chase of the season, The Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase). Other notable winners of this race include Mr. Mulligan (successful in the first running in 1996, who went on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup just over a year later), while Halcon Genelardais (the 2006 winner) and Miko De Beauchene (runner-up in 2007) both went on to win the Welsh Grand National in those respective years. The other meeting this month at Wetherby takes place on Tuesday, 18th.
Catterick hosts a couple of midweek fixtures this month on Monday, 10th and Tuesday, 25th, with the North Yorkshire track sure to attract plenty of runners.
Doncaster is in action on Thursday, 6th, while ‘Golden Oldies’ have their opportunity at the South Yorkshire track on Wednesday, 19th when horses aged ten or more take part in the main race on Town Moor, The Veterans’ Handicap Chase over three miles. Last year’s race included Auroras Encore, who fell at the second fence; just over six weeks later, he went on to win the Grand National for West Yorkshire trainer, Sue Smith.
The Jumps season at Doncaster concludes with a two-day fixture on Friday and Saturday (28th & 1st March). The big race on the Saturday, The William Hill Grimthorpe Handicap Chase could well attract some Grand National contenders.
The new Yorkshire Racing Season Ticket for 2014/15 begins on March 1st; anyone interested can obtain details on www.goracing.co.uk or call (01937)580051. Costs are £325 (single) and £540 (joint) for over 180 days’ racing until 28th February 2015.