Wetherby’s 2014/15 season over Jumps starts next Wednesday (October 15) – the first of 16 days’ racing during the campaign – which concludes with an evening meeting on Thursday, May 29, 2014 (Yorkshire Post Ladies’ Evening). In addition, Wetherby will host Flat racing for the first time in the course’s history, with a quartet of meetings covering April, June and July. 

Wednesday’s seven-race programme starts at 2-20 p.m. and is the backdrop to the 24th annual charity meeting in aid of Spinal Research, the national charity which funds research into finding a cure for paralysis caused by injury to the spinal cord. Spinal Research is again hosting a fund-raising luncheon prior to racing in a marquee adjacent to the parade ring, with several prizes to be auctioned, including tickets to Six Nations Rugby matches at both Twickenham and Cardiff.

Once again, the principal race on this day is The Bobby Renton Handicap Chase, a contest over the extended two and a half miles which remembers the late Bobby Renton, who trained Freebooter to win the 1950 Grand National from his base near Ripon. 

The opening race, The Spinal Research Rachel Wright Memorial Hurdle, a contest for three-year-old juvenile maiden hurdlers, is held in memory of Rachel Wright who organised this charity raceday since its inception and who passed away in 2006. 

Presentations will be made to the leading trainer of last season at Wetherby, Sue Smith (the High Eldwick, Bingley trainer, who retains her title) along with the top jockey (Brian Hughes) and Conditional rider (Jonathan England) at the course last term.