Pontefract’s penultimate meeting of the season on Monday (October 7) features The Phil Bull Trophy Conditions Stakes. The seven-race programme gets underway at 2-10 p.m.
The longest race of the afternoon, the 27th renewal of The Phil Bull Trophy, a Conditions contest for stayers over two and a quarter miles, is named after one of the legends of the turf, the late Phil Bull, who founded the renowned Timeform Organisation, the respected racing form specialists based in Halifax. The original headquarters of Timeform was at Hemsworth near Pontefract. Mr. Bull, who passed away in 1989, had a long affinity with Pontefract racecourse, it being the first course he visited as a boy and where his famous ‘cerise, white circle’ colours were first carried to victory as an owner.
The Phil Bull Trophy is the penultimate race in this season’s Pontefract Stayers’ Championship which comprises all of the races for stayers at the course. Going into Monday’s race, Riptide – trained in Herefordshire by Michael Scudamore – has a commanding lead with 22 points, having won two races in this season’s series. This year’s Championship concludes on October 21 – Pontefract’s final meeting of 2013 – and the owner, trainer and stable staff of the horse accumulating the most number of points will each receive a trophy and £1,000.
Maiden two-year-olds take part in the opening race, a contest supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in conjunction with British Stallion Studs, while The Many Thanks To Di Price Handicap Stakes (a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a half) refers to the imminent retirement from the Stewards’ Panel at Pontefract of Di Price.
The racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for Monday’s meeting concerns those living in the WF3 area. See the racecourse’s website for details.
The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to follow all of the action.