Forums

Cheltenham Festival

Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
Anaglogs Daughter
07 Dec 10 12:28
Joined:
Date Joined: 05 Jan 10
| Topic/replies: 29,477 | Blogger: Anaglogs Daughter's blog
Henry Cecil will be the Guest of Honour for the first ever St Patrick's Day Derby at Cheltenham on Thursday, March 17, 2011.

The one mile, five furlong charity flat race, run as the seventh race that day, will raise money for Cancer Research UK, this season's chosen Festival charity.

Commenting upon his involvement, Cecil said: "I was delighted and honoured to be invited by Cheltenham to get involved in the St Patrick's Day Derby. I've always admired the wonderful sport at The Festival from afar, but this will be my first ever visit to the meeting and I am looking forward to sampling the atmosphere at first hand.

"Cancer is an illness that touches most families at some point and my family is no different, so it will be marvellous to be able to play a small part in helping to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK, a charity which does so much to help the fight against this disease."

This will be the last time for several years that St Patrick's Day is on a Festival raceday and the occasion will be marked by a series of events and displays with a uniquely Irish feel.

The Cheltenham team is hoping that the special charity race and the presence of Henry Cecil will add further interest to what is already a spectacular day of high-class Jump racing.

Gillespie thrilled
The Racecourse's Managing Director, Edward Gillespie, said: "Henry Cecil's achievements are the stuff of legend, but what is equally remarkable is his universal popularity amongst the racing fraternity, from racegoers, betting shop punters and casual racing fans to fellow trainers and the sport's professionals across the globe.

"It is a privilege for us to be welcoming him to The Festival for a Derby of a slightly different nature, especially one that is being run in aid of such a good cause. We hope that Henry's involvement might even attract entries from Derby-winning trainers!"

Jools Tait, Director of Partnerships of Cancer Research UK, added: "We are thrilled to be involved in this exciting addition to The Festival 2011.

"Last year's charity race on Ladies Day helped us to raise over £150,000 at Cheltenham and, with the generous support of Henry Cecil, we are hoping to exceed that figure this year."

Applications are now being invited for the charity race, with a maximum field of 12 runners, open to any amateur riders, licensed or not.

Each rider is required to raise a minimum of £5,000 in sponsorship and participants have to provide their own mount, which must have run at least twice under the recognised Rules of Racing. Applications close on December 31, 2010
Pause Switch to Standard View Cheltenham Derby
Show More
Loading...
Report mickthefish December 7, 2010 9:03 PM GMT
Washington Irving NAP
Report Howdi December 7, 2010 9:53 PM GMT
^^^ Laugh
Report toon4eva December 7, 2010 10:03 PM GMT
I'm on if it runs, placed in the Derby at Epsom if it's odds against on the day will be my biggest bet of the festival.
Report Stake & Chips December 8, 2010 9:40 AM GMT
Nice shout mickthefish, I've taken all the 10s with the Magic Sign Cool
Report rogerthebutler December 11, 2010 9:46 PM GMT
Henry Cecil is a jumps fan in disguise![;)]
Post Your Reply
<CTRL+Enter> to submit
Please login to post a reply.

Wonder

Instance ID: 13539
www.betfair.com