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.
BETDAQ TO SPONSOR HAYDOCK PARK SERIES FOR APPRENTICE JOCKEYS
Tue 18th May 10 - 9:16
SEVEN races are to be run at Haydock Park Racecourse this spring and summer specifically to give apprentice jockeys the chance to learn their trade.
The Haydock Park Racing Excellence Apprentice Training series begins on Friday evening (21 MAY). None of the riders taking part has won more than 20 races and they will all receive tuition and advice from a riding coach.
The series' sponsor is the betting exchange Betdaq which will award a prize to the young jockey who accumulates most points during the races.
John Francome, former champion jockey, is a great advocator of the training and education of young jockeys.
He said: "I am pleased to be the Ambassador for Racing Excellence. Good riding skills and learning to use your hands and heels instead of relying on the whip is something that I am passionate about. These training races provide an invaluable opportunity for jockeys to develop these skills."
After Friday, the remaining six races will be run on Thursday evening 10 June, Friday evening 2 July, Friday 16 July, Friday evening 30 July, Friday evening 6 August and Friday 24 September.
The first race on Friday 21 May is 6.30pm. The finale is at 9pm.
*Admission: Newton Enclosure £10; Tattersalls £18; County Enclosure £28; Premier Enclosure £43. Accompanied children under 18 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price. More details about racing at Haydock Park are available on web site www.haydock-park.co.uk.
For further information, please contact: Dickon White, Managing Director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on 01942 725963.
Tuesday 14th September
Raceday
2:30PM
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