The IG Index Team Go-Karting Challenge

This event was held for a second year running at Sandown Park Daytona Racetrack on Tuesday 20th May. Fourteen teams of drivers took their positions on the grid at the IG Index sponsored day to raise funds for Racing Welfare.

Captained by Attheraces presenter Zoey Bird, the IG Index team named “Birds Boys” on the day, started the race in Pole Position and despite numerous “black flag” penalties throughout the race, managed to claim back their initial lead and win the race. Also driving on the team was Zoey’s brother and F3 driver Sam Bird, IG Index’s Head of PR Chris Shillington, Stuart Kelly and Harry Spear.

In second place and just 20 seconds behind were The internet.co.uk with Systems by Design in third place. Teams representing Betfair, Blue Square, The Racing Post, The Professional Jockeys Association, William Hill, Sandown Park Racecourse and Racing Welfare also took part in the competition which raised approximately £9,000 for Racing Welfare.

Flora London Marathon

2008 was a highly successful year for our London Marathon runners with all thirteen making the start without too many injuries to stop them. There was much speculation beforehand as to who would go off favourite amongst the bookies PR men with Damian Walker justifying 6-4 favouritism and crossing the line in front of his rivals in 4 hours 28.
He wasn’t the fastest of the Racing Welfare runners though, with Charlie Hancock sprinting the 26 miles in just 3 and a half hours followed closely behind by John Blake who finished in 3 hours 34. After the race, Charlie commented “I had to run really fast, it wasn’t so painful…” - Not sure I fully understand that theory but it worked for Charlie!

Next to finish was our only female representative, Dawn Laidlaw who not only excelled on the day by clocking up a very fast time of just 4 hours 9 minutes, but matched her performance with the fantastic amount of sponsorship that she raised which topped £10,000.

Hugh Ellison was next over the line in a very good time of 4 hours 56 and just over the 5 hour barrier and second from the bookies group was Marathon pro Simon Clare. Then came George Primarolo just 7 minutes in front on pundit Dave Nevison who clocked up an admirable 5 hours 35. His comments the next day were “…am in real pain now, my legs aren’t able to move!”

Then came Edward Sample in 5 hours 40 minutes followed by Fergal O’Brien, head lad to Nigel Twiston-Davies, and his brother Brian O’Brien who ran the course together and completed in a time of 5hrs 56. However, their ordeal began the day before when they went to collect their numbers and Brian was told that he wasn’t a registered runner and therefore unable to take part! Clearly pleased at the prospect of having trained for a Marathon and flown over especially from Ireland to be greeted with this news, there followed a fair amount of sweating under the collar before the Marathon office finally realised their mistake and Brian was issued with his running number. I’m not sure how thankful he was for the experience 12 hours later but brother Fergal admits that they were going really well up until the 20 mile mark, spurred on by the fact that they passed Charlie Edgerton after 6 miles and determined to get home “before him”, but this took its toll and they were forced to walk the final 6 miles. On crossing the line a text message from Fergal read “survived… but if I ever ask to do it again, please say no!”

The next runner past the post unfortunately mistook the London Marathon for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. Donning a trendy white head band and a matching two piece outfit consisting of red shorts and vest finished with a white trim, he was determined to make the 26 miles without ruining his hair do or at least that’s the excuse David Williams gave for his 5 hr 47 minute completion time, quoted as saying “It's all about the cameras. I refused to break into a sweat just in case the paparazzi got hold of me; image is everything for young David!” David is now retiring himself to stud.

For Iain Turner however, image was the last thing on his mind after the Marathon as he was seen attending Newmarket Races three days later in a suit accompanied by the oldest pair of trainers which were nursing his heavily blistered feet that completed in a time of 6 hours 23 minutes. A great effort especially after hearing that a few pints were even consumed the night before in preparation for the big day! “I wasn’t going to let the training take over my life!”

This was an outstanding achievement by all the runners and we sincerely thank them for their effort which has raised in excess of £35,000 for the Charity.

A huge thank you and congratulations to everyone!

Anybody for next year?

Charity Carol Concert at Tattersalls

The fifth Racing Welfare Charity Carol Concert was held at in the picturesque surroundings of Tattersalls sales ring on Wednesday 12th December.

The evening began with a Champagne Reception in the restaurant followed by the concert was opened by racing’s Chaplain The Rev. Graham Locking. Readings were made by Newmarket trainers Sir Mark Prescott and David Simcock, William Gittus, Managing Director of The Jockey Club Estates and Kathryn Stewart, widow of the late trainer Alec Stewart. This year’s soloist was Newmarket trainer Chris Wall who sand Silent Night to the congregation of over 600 people.

A nativity scene was performed by Fairstead School pupils and the evening was brought to a close by the arrival of Father Christmas and the Christmas scene featuring a real unicorn, snowman, angel and fairy!

The event was a resounding success for the Charity raising £12,000.

Geraldine, Margaux and Maxim Herinckx with Illiad the Unicorn

Cortaflex NH Legends Charity Race

On 21st October 2007, at Kempton Park Racecourse, some of the truly great NH jockeys of the past generations prepared to return to the racecourse for a one-off appearance.   The line up included Richard Dunwoody, Peter Scudamore, Charlie Swan, John Francome, Norman Williamson, Brendan Powell, Steve Smith Eccles, Hywel Davies, Simon Sherwood, Colin Brown and Jimmy Frost along with race sponsor Phil Middleton of Cortaflex.  The event was to raise awareness of Richard Dunwoody’s forthcoming ‘Interchange Shackleton South Pole Expedition 2007.’

A Charity lunch was held before the race and each jockey auctioned off raising a total of £12,000 collectively, top lots were Richard Dunwoody and Phil Middleton fetching £4,000 each. There were also a number of exciting auction items which raised an incredible £18,000 bringing the total for the day to approximately £35,000. Proceeds from the event will be split equally between Racing Welfare, Spinal Research and SPARKS Children’s Charity.

The Charity race itself was highly competitive with a fair amount of pushing and shoving as the jockeys turned into the final straight. Eventual race winner Simon Sherwood timed his run to perfection just denying long time leader Brendan Powell on the line with Norman Williamson finishing closely behind in third.

For more information about Richard’s expedition please log on to www.dunwoody-southpole.com

Go-Karting Day In Scotland

On Friday 19th October, Racing Welfare held their first Go-Karting Day in Scotland at the Knockhill Racetrack. Nine teams turned out, with teams from three of Scotland’s most successful jumping yards, Harriet Graham’s, Clive Story’s and Lucinda Russell’s taking part. Thirty six competitors competed in both a Go-Karting event while also having to test their driving skills on the notorious Knockhill Skidpan.

The best driver over the two competitions was Peter Buchannan, Lucinda Russell’s stable jockey, while Lucinda herself won the Wooden Spoon for the worst drive of the day. The team prize went to Prestige Scotland.

This event was particularly important for raising the profile of Racing Welfare in Scotland and the event certainly achieved that but more importantly a lot of people had a lot of fun.

Competition was fierce; there was a terrific atmosphere we very much look forward to this becoming an annual event in the calendar. The day would not have been possible without significant support proved by the Allied Irish Bank who were the main sponsors, with additional prizes provided by Famous Grouse and Carlsberg UK, many thanks also to the Knockhill team for looking after everyone so well
Sam Morshead

Haydock Park Raceday

The annual North West race day took place earlier this year on 12th September due to alterations to the track taking place but this did not deter our regular race goers who come each year to enjoy an excellent fundraising event.

Trustee, Gary Middlebrook and his fellow committee members, Mark Dennis, Steve Taylor of Taylormade Bookmakers and Dickon White of Haydock organised a great day out for over 250 guests who spent £6,500 on a variety of exciting auction items including seats at a Manchester United game, a morning with David Pipe and on to Exeter races a morning at Kevin Ryan’s yard followed by a visit to York races and a signed Liverpool football to mention just a few.

The Ormiston Racing Welfare Charity Raceday

The joint Charity Raceday with the Ormiston Children and Families Trust took place at Newmarket Racecourse on Saturday 30th June.

350 guests were invited for a Champagne Reception and three course lunch in the marquee with guests of honour Lester Piggott and actress Claire King.

Some fantastic prizes were on offer in a Silent Auction as well as on the "Tree of Life" and a successful day was rounded up with an exit collection for the Charities.