Racing News
HAYDOCK PARK PREPARES FOR SHOWPIECE OCCASION OF THE FLAT RACING SEASON
THE countdown to the richest horse race of the year at Haydock Park - and the climax to the racecourse’s Flat racing season - has begun in earnest.
Some of the fastest racehorses in Britain and Ireland will be making their way to the North West for the 45th year of the £275,000 Betfred Sprint Cup on Saturday 4 September.
The total prize fund on the day is not far short of £½ million.
Dickon White, the managing director of Haydock Park, said: “The Betfred Sprint Cup meeting is a hugely popular occasion with racing fans, attracts a big crowd, and is the highlight of our Flat racing season.”
A maximum of 17 horses will take part in the six-furlong race from the 20 that remain as possibles.
The Group One Betfred Sprint Cup is a race that top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has yet to win. On Saturday, he may saddle the favourite – the Australian-bred colt Starspangledbanner. A decision about whether the horse runs or not will be made later this week.
The sponsors Betfred make Starspangledbanner – a winner at Royal Ascot this year and the hero of the Darley July Cup at Newmarket - their 2-1 ante-post favourite (CORRECT AS OF MONDAY 30 AUGUST).
Opposing him are last year’s winner Regal Parade, last year’s third-placed horse High Standing, Equiano who was fifth last year, and the 2009 Nunthorpe Stakes winner Borderlescott.
The entire racecard at Haydock on Saturday 4 September is very classy, including the Betfred Kingspin Old Borough Cup, the Betfred ‘Goals Galore’ Superior Mile and the Betfred ‘The Bonus King’ Be Friendly Handicap, which commemorates the horse that won the first two runnings of the Sprint Cup in 1966 and 1967.
Be Friendly – owned by the former BBC ‘Voice of Racing’ Sir Peter O’Sullevan - remains the only horse to have won the race twice, and a life-size bronze of him now stands resplendent in the paddock at Haydock Park.
The first race on Saturday is at 2pm. Gates open at 12 noon.
*Admission into the Newton Enclosure is £11; it’s £20 into Tattersalls; £34 into the County Enclosure; and £45 into the Premier Enclosure. Accompanied children aged under 18 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price. More details are available at web site www.haydock-park.co.uk.
BOOTLEG BEATLES OPEN HAYDOCK PARK'S MUSIC NIGHTS
Mon 8th Feb 10 - 9:43
BEATLEMANIA is set to sweep Haydock Park Racecourse with an awesome performance from the world-famous Beatles tribute band, the Bootleg Beatles, on Saturday 24 April.
Following in the original Fab Four's footsteps, the Bootleg Beatles continue to keep the spirit and magic of the world's greatest pop group alive with sell out performances of classic hits such as 'Love Me Do', 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'Let it Be'.
Launching this year's Music Night concert series at Haydock Park, the internationally acclaimed Bootleg Beatles are the latest band confirmed for this year's line up; joining British soul sensations Simply Red who are set to wow crowds live after racing on Saturday 17 July.
With a further music night to be confirmed in the near future, the announcement of the Bootleg Beatles and Simply Red make up the strongest line up that has so far performed at Haydock Park Racecourse's concert night series and which is already set to be a huge hit for racing and music fans alike.
Dickon White, Haydock Park Racecourse's managing director, said: "Haydock Park's series of music nights after racing has got better year after year and the crowds keep returning in even big numbers. We are extremely excited to be welcoming the Bootleg Beatles on Saturday 24 April as we launch the 2010 season of music nights."
Tickets include the evening's horse racing and after racing concert and are on sale now.
Bookings can be made online at www.haydock-park.co.uk, by telephone on 0844
579 3006 or from Haydock Park Racecourse.
Tickets are priced at: Premier Enclosure £43; County Stand £28; Tattersalls £18; Newton Enclosure £10.
For further information, please contact:
Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on
01942 725963
Tuesday 14th September
Raceday
2:30PM
© 2010 Haydock Park Race Course. Horse Racing and Conference Centre