Haydock Park news: It's Haydock Park-by-the-Sea in August

Friday 22 July: The seaside is coming to Haydock Park as the racecourse plans summer beach fun on the opening day of its August meeting.

With the summer holiday season in full swing, all accompanied children will be admitted free of charge and lots of free entertainment is being provided for the youngsters on Thursday 4 August.

In the combined Newton & Tattersalls Enclosure, there will be: seaside beach fun; donkey rides; Punch & Judy shows; cheeky chimps party bus; summer circus and craft workshops, inflatable pirate ship, a councy castle and face painters.

As a special offer, for every adult who buys a meal worth £5 or more in the Newton Café, one child eats free from the children's menu.

The horse racing action gets under way on 4 August at 2.10pm, with the racecourse open from just after midday.

A little over 24 hours later, and it's the third and final Ladies' Night of the season when fashion comes to the fore.

Ladies' Nights are occasions when ladies get out their finery, dress up and join their partners or friends for an evening out, combining good company, great food and wine, and a little flutter on the horses.

The evening features: the search for the 'best dressed lady', with a prize of £1,000; 'The Kiki' by Kirsty Doyle Collection fashion show; a silent disco with Radio City DJ Rick Houghton; Firefly - a free makeover and photography session for one lucky winner; and free mini-makeovers.

All the Ladies' Night activities take place on the racecourse's Makerfield Lawn and are free for visitors to the Tattersalls Enclosure and upwards.

Special offers for £6.50 are: strawberries and cream and a glass of fizz; or a deli sandwich and a pint of beer or glass of wine.  Pitchers of cocktails are £15.

The races begin at 6pm on Friday 5 August and conclude at 8.40pm.

The horse racing is top notch on the Saturday afternoon - 6 August - and features the Group 3 £50,000 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes.  The races also include the EBF 'Kayf Tara' Dick Hern Fillies' Stakes, with the sporting action starting at 1.50pm.

The racecourse's managing director Dickon White said: "Our August three-day meeting is one of the highlights of the summer.

"Rose Of Lancaster Stakes day features high-class racing, with the feature race often provides a fascinating clash between members of the classic generation and their elders.

"As well as excellent racing, there is something for everyone over the three days.  There's the final Ladies' Night of the year when there are valuable prizes to be won, while we're laying on an array of free children's entertainment on the opening day - the Thursday - with our Summer Seaside Family Fun Day."

Admission

* Thursday 4 August: £12 Newton & Tattersalls combined enclosure; £24 County; £36 Premier.

* Friday 5 August: £12 Newton; £20 Tattersalls; £30 County; £45 Premier.

* Saturday 6 August: £12 Newton; £22 Tattersalls; £35 County; £48 Premier.

Accompanied children under 18 enter free.  Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls at half price.  More at haydock-park.com where tickets can be bought online.

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For further information, please contact:

Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on 01942 725963

Redcar Racecourse news: MP makes first official trip to the races on Help For Heroes family fun day

Friday 15 July: Redcar MP Ian Swales is making his first official trip to Redcar Racecourse on Sunday (17 JULY) for the Help For Heroes Family Fun Day – the second day of the Yorkshire Summer Racing Festival.

He said: “I am delighted to be attending Redcar Racecourse at its Help For Heroes family day for the first time in an official capacity as an MP.  I have, of course, enjoyed previous visits to the racecourse in a private capacity.

“The racecourse is at the heart of the town and is a popular destination for many people in Tees Valley.

“I took the opportunity earlier this year to speak in the House of Commons about the important role that the racecourse has in the community and the local economy, and I am sure that will be evident at Sunday's meeting which is one of the most popular of the season.”

Mr Swales will be presenting the trophy for the first race which is at 2.10pm.

On the racecourse, there will be a procession by standard bearers from the Royal British Legion and naval, army and air force cadets between the first and second races.

Lt Col Tony Laker, Major John Daurey & Major Steve Foster will take the salute from the standard bearers, veterans, cadets and forces personnel.

Later in the afternoon, Lt Col and Mrs E D Colthup, of the Yorkshire Regiment, will present the prize to the winner of the Yorkshire Regiment Help For Heroes race.

The racecourse’s general manager Amy Fair said: “We are privileged to welcome soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment – and representatives of Help For Heroes – to our annual Family Fun Day.  It’s a major occasion for us, coming during the Yorkshire Summer Racing Festival.”

As well as the horse racing, there will fairground rides, bouncy castles, slides, children's entertainers, face painting and stilt walkers.

Soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment will be displaying one of its scramble walls, while there will be mounted police, police search helicopter, police armed response unit, police dog training, and fire brigade demonstrations.

There will be a free behind-the-scenes tour led by former jockey Dale Gibson starting at 12.15pm in front of the Petch Stand.

Visitors will also have their cards marked for the afternoon racing by Graham Orange of Go Racing in Yorkshire, Dale Tempest of bookmakers Skybet, race commentator Mark Johnson, and Richard Street of Yorkshire Radio.

The first race is scheduled for 2.10pm, with admission gates open at 12 noon.  The finale is at 5.15pm.

Grandstand £15; Course Enclosure £5.  Accompanied children 16 always admitted free of charge.  Seniors £12 Grandstand and £4 Course Enclosure.

More information at http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/.

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For further information, please contact:
Amy Fair, General Manager, at Redcar Racecourse, on 01642 484068

Market Rasen Racecourse news release: 'Hero' of 2010 set to defend his crown

Tuesday 12 July: The 2010 winner of the major race at Market Rasen Racecourse returns this Saturday (16 JULY) to defend his crown.

Grand Slam Hero was the 'hero' of the Totesport.com Summer Plate 12 months ago.

Now he's back for more in the £50,000 steeplechase run over two and three quarter miles.

However, the 10-year-old trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies will face a strong challenge in what is always a highly competitive race.

Several of his potential rivals from an initial entry of 29 horses have run up sequences of victories.

The German-bred Ostland has won three races in a row, including one at Market Rasen.  Sonny Mullen is also aiming for a four timer, while Rebel Du Maquis - from the stables of champion trainer Paul Nicholls - has won four times since last autumn.

Welsh handler Peter Bowen has a record that is second to none in the Summer Plate.  One of his entries, Sun Tzu, has been first in its last five races.  Another of his horses, No Panic, was third in the race two years ago.

The major supporting race on Saturday is the first - the £30,000 Totescoop6 Summer Hurdle at 2.05pm.

The highest rated horse in the race is West Country trainer David Pipe's Street Entertainer, which provided him with his first ever winner in Ireland two months ago.

Local horse Laterly is also an entry from Steve Gollings's stables at Scamblesby near Louth.

As for punters looking for a tip in the major races, racing presenter Mike Vince will be hosting his punters panel - including Tote PR manager George Primarolo and one of the jockeys in the feature steeplechase - in the winners enclosure before racing begins.

Admission

Admission gates at the racecourse will be open at 12.05pm for Totesport Summer Plate and Ladies' Day, supported by The Journal magazine.  The first race of seven is at 2.05pm.  Premier Members - £28; County Enclosure £21; Tattersalls £16; Family Enclosure £10; Picnic Car Park £5 per car + Family Enclosure admission per adult.  Accompanied children under 18 are admitted free of charge.  Parking free.  More information at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk.

A special Posh & Becks admission package is available for £23, including a Tattersalls enclosure ticket, Chicken Caesar wrap or hog roast, a glass of Pimm's or a pint of beer, a raceday programme and a discounted Tote bet.  It can be booked online at www.marketraseraces.co.uk or by telephone on 0845 579 3009.

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For further information please contact:
Pip Kirkby, managing director, at Market Rasen Racecourse, on 01673 843434 or 07796 996081, or email pip.kirkby@jockeyclubracecourses.com.

Market Rasen Racecourse news: Lincolnshire racecourse gets ready for its showpiece day of 2011

Monday 11 July: Market Rasen Racecourse is gearing up for its biggest jump racing occasion of the year on Saturday (16 JULY) - Totesport Summer Plate & Ladies' Day, supported by The Journal magazine.

The crowds will descend on the Lincolnshire racing town in large numbers for the showpiece day of high-class horse racing, shopping, and fashion shows.

With £120,000 in prize-money on offer, Saturday 16 July is the richest racing day of the year at Market Rasen Racecourse, which means the country's top horses and jockeys will be in action.

The £50,000 Totesport.com Summer Plate is run over two and three quarter miles and is the most significant race of 2011.  The major supporting race is the first at 2.05pm - the £30,000 Totescoop6 Summer Hurdle.

In the public enclosures, there are three fashion shows by the Agatha boutique of Lincoln, beginning shortly before the first race.

Judges will decide between ten finalists for 'best dressed lady' and five finalists for the 'best hat' award from those visitors who register in The Journal marquee before 2pm.

The 'best dressed' lady wins a £150 Agatha voucher, a de-stressed voucher for two at Eden Hall, including use of all facilities, a three-course lunch, and either a facial or back massage, and a bouquet of flowers from Stem.  The runner-up receives a £100 Agatha voucher, flowers and a bottle of Champagne.  The third placed lady gets a £50 Agatha voucher, flowers and Champagne.

The lady with the 'best hat' - hat or fascinator - wins £75 to spend at Get Ahead Hats, a bouquet of flowers from Stem and a bottle of Champagne.  The runner-up receives flowers and Champagne.

Pip Kirkby, the racecourse's managing director, said: "It's a delight to be looking forward to our most important horse racing day of the year, and we anticipating a super crowd of jump racing fans on Saturday."

As for punters looking for a tip in the major races, racing presenter Mike Vince will be hosting his punters panel in the winners enclosure before racing begins.

A special Posh & Becks admission package is available for £23, including a Tattersalls enclosure ticket, Chicken Caesar wrap or hog roast, a glass of Pimm's or a pint of beer, a raceday programme and a discounted Tote bet.  It can be booked online at www.marketraseraces.co.uk or by telephone on 0845 579 3009.

General admission

Admission gates at the racecourse will be open at 12.05pm on Saturday 16 July.  The first race of seven is at 2.05pm.  Premier Members - £28; County Enclosure £21; Tattersalls £16; Family Enclosure £10; Picnic Car Park £5 per car + Family Enclosure admission per adult.  Accompanied children under 18 are admitted free of charge.  Parking free.  More information at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk.

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For further information please contact:
Pip Kirkby, managing director, at Market Rasen Racecourse, on 01673 843434 or 07796 996081, or email pip.kirkby@jockeyclubracecourses.com.

Sunday is Help For Heroes family fun day at Redcar Races

Monday 11 July: It's Help For Heroes Family Fun Day at Redcar Races on Sunday 17 July - the second day of the Yorkshire Summer Racing Festival.

As well as the horse racing, there will fairground rides, bouncy castles, slides, children's entertainers, face painting and stilt walkers.

The racecourse is teaming up with Help For Heroes, representatives of which will be there on the day.

Soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment will be displaying one of its scramble walls, while there will be mounted police, police search helicopter, police armed response unit, police dog training, and fire brigade demonstrations.

On the racecourse, there will be a procession by standard bearers from the Royal British Legion and naval, army and air force cadets between the first and second races.

There will be a free behind-the-scenes tour led by former jockey Dale Gibson starting at 12.15pm in front of the Petch Stand.

Visitors will also have their cards marked for the afternoon racing by Graham Orange of Go Racing in Yorkshire, Dale Tempest of bookmakers Skybet, race commentator Mark Johnson, and Richard Street of Yorkshire Radio.

The Help For Heroes charity and the regiment will be honoured with a race in their name too - the Help For Heroes And Yorkshire Regiment Fillies' Handicap Stakes, with soldiers presenting the trophies afterwards.

The racecourse's general manager Amy Fair said: "We are privileged to welcome soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment - and representatives of Help For Heroes - to our annual Family Fun Day.  It's a major occasion for us, coming during the Yorkshire Summer Racing Festival."

After the Family Fun Day, the highlights for the rest of the year at Redcar Racecourse include:

* Saturday 6 August - Caribbean Carnival day;
* Saturday 27 August - Ladies' and Gents' Evening;
* Saturday 1 October - Seasonal climax with the £150,000 Tote Two Year Old Trophy, the Listed Guisborough Stakes and the final of the John Smith's Straight Mile Championship Series.

The first race is scheduled for 2.10pm, with admission gates open just after midday.  The finale is at 5.15pm.

General admission

Grandstand £15; Course Enclosure £5.  Accompanied children 16 always admitted free of charge.  Seniors £12 Grandstand and £4 Course Enclosure.

Special packages throughout the season

Punter's package - £12-23 in the Course Enclosure and Grandstand depending on the day: admission ticket; raceday programme; pint of beer, glass of wine, or soft drink; dish of the day or hot baguette; and £2 off a £5 betting voucher.

Garden party package - £24.50-£27.50 in the Grandstand Enclosure: admission ticket; raceday programme; glass of Champagne or Pimm's; seafood sandwich; bowl of strawberries & cream; and £2 off a £5 betting voucher.

Curry & pint package - £25 in the Grandstand Enclosure on feature days; admission ticket; raceday programme; pint of beer or lager; curry and rice; and £2 off a £5 betting voucher.

BBQ package - £37.50 in Classic Suite, Winners' Enclosure viewing balcony and Grandstand on feature days: admission ticket; raceday programme; pint of beer, glass of wine, or soft drink; meal from the barbecue selection; and £2 off a £5 betting voucher.

Every special package bought for the Grandstand gets a £5 voucher redeemable against future bookings.

More information at:www.redcarracing.co.uk and http://twitter.com/#!/redcarracing

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For further information, please contact:
Amy Fair, General Manager, at Redcar Racecourse, on 01642 484068

Kempton Park news: Racecourse staff get on their bikes

Wednesday 6 July: Staff at Kempton Park are being encouraged to get on their bikes as the racecourse bids to reduce its carbon footprint.

The business has adopted a 'Green Travel Plan' in conjunction with Surrey County Council with the aim of as many staff and visitors as possible travelling to and from the racecourse in an environmentally friendly manner.

The racecourse has its own railway station so that punters coming to the races do not have to use their cars.

Loans to buy bicycles are now being offered to staff through the racecourse's human resources department.

One person who took up that opportunity is operations and facilities manager Katrina Plant.

She purchased her bike through the Government's tax-free cycle to work scheme.  Now she's making a 16-mile round trip between her home in Addlestone and the racecourse several times each week.

Katrina comes via Chertsey, cuts through Shepperton, and then past Squires Garden Centre to avoid the traffic and into lower Sunbury.  Now that there are very light mornings, she's able to use the towpaths from Walton Bridge along the Thames.

She said: "I try to ride to work three times a week, even in the rain.  Cycling to Kempton Park is ideal because I can use the showers in the racecourse's weighing room, and I use the driers for my towels.

"I like to avoid the rush hour so it is an early start, but it's a fantastic way to begin the day because I feel energised - and I have cycled eight miles before many people are out of bed."

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For further information, please contact:
Kempton Park media office on 01932 782292

NOTE TO EDITORS

‘Kempton Live 2011’ schedule

*3 August: Irish Night featuring the Hothouse Flowers
*12 August: Olly Murs
*3 September: Ladies’ Day with Heart FM DJ Toby Anstis

Visit www.kemptonlive.co.uk for further details.

Market Rasen Racecourse news: Free admission for the RAF

Tuesday 5 July: Every serving member of the Royal Air Force is being offered two free tickets to watch the horse races at Market Rasen Racecourse on Sunday 31 July.

The racecourse is the only one in Lincolnshire, a county famously associated with the RAF.

The fixture on the last day of July is the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund family fun day with many children’s entertainments and lots of RAF attractions, including a flyover before the races begin.

Pip Kirkby, the racecourse’s managing director, said: “In Lincolnshire, we are very much in ‘RAF country’, and we want to help the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund who do so much to support serving and former RAF personnel and their families.

“For businesses that wish to support our war heroes and enjoy a great corporate day out, there are sponsorship and hospitality packages available with a proportion of the proceeds going to the RAF Benevolent Fund.”

All RAF members need do is call the racecourse’s booking office hotline on 01673 843434 and give their service number to receive two free Tattersalls Enclosure tickets.  Service cards must then be produced on the day as proof of identity.  There are a maximum of two tickets per serviceman or woman.  As accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge, the racecourse offers a most affordable day out for all the family.

Admission: Premier Members £26; County Enclosure £19; Tattersalls £14; Family Enclosure £9; Picnic Car Park £5 per car + Family Enclosure admission per adult.  Accompanied children 18 admitted free of charge.   The racecourse opens to the public from 12 noon. www.marketrasenraces.co.uk.

For more information about the RAF Benevolent Fund, visit www.rafbf.org.

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For further information please contact:

Pip Kirkby, managing director, at Market Rasen Racecourse, on 01673 843434

Haydock Park news: Biggest crowd for 20 years

Monday 4 July: Saturday’s horse racing at Haydock Park attracted the largest crowd of spectators in over 20 years.

Over 17,000 racing fans packed into the racecourse on bet365 Lancashire Oaks day which traditionally brings in a very big audience.

The racecourse’s managing director Dickon White said: “Our advance sales indicated that we were going to attract a bumper crowd, and so it proved with an enormous attendance.

“bet365 Lancashire Oaks day, which also features one of the oldest races in the calendar - the bet365 Old Newton Cup - is always very popular and it was a thrilling occasion for everyone here.”

Following on from the success of the racecourse’s music night with Sir Tom Jones in June, the racecourse was delighted that one of its highest quality days of horse racing during the year was watched by so many followers of the sport.

Haydock Park is now looking forward to its third and final music night of the year on Saturday 16 July – which combines an evening of horse racing with a concert by American glam pop band the Scissor Sisters.

More details about all events at Haydock Park can be found at www.haydock-park.co.uk where tickets can be ordered.

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For further information, please contact:

Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on

01942 725963