Haydock Park Racecourse news release: Lester Piggott stars on final Saturday on the Flat at Haydock Park

Wednesday 21 September: Legendary jockey Lester Piggott will be making a special guest appearance at the final two-day meeting of Haydock Park's 2011 Flat racing season.

The nine-times Derby winner, whose first and last winners 46 years apart were at the racecourse, will present the prize for Saturday's (24 SEPTEMBER) £30,000 sports360.co.uk Lester Piggott "Start To Finish" Handicap Stakes.

The 75-year-old's achievements are commemorated in a bronze which was unveiled at the North West racecourse five years ago.

Dickon White, Haydock Park's managing director, said: "It is always a great pleasure to welcome Lester Piggott to Haydock Park where he is a popular visitor.  We are also delighted that the Lancashire sports branding and sponsorship business sports360 is supporting the feature race on the final Saturday of the 2011 Flat racing season at Haydock Park."

The two-day meeting begins on Friday afternoon and, on at least one of the two days, it is likely that racegoers will see locally-born rider and champion jockey Paul Hanagan in action as he bids to reinforce his position at the top of the 2011 Flat jockeys' championship.

Friday's racing action includes the final of the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Apprentice Series, the culmination of seven races run at the racecourse during the spring and summer to give apprentice jockeys the chance to learn their trade.  The current narrow leader of the series is Ryan Clark.

After Saturday, the final fixture of the 2011 Flat racing season at Haydock Park is on Friday 14 October when funds are being raised for the Lancashire-based Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre, Europe's original racehorse re-homing charity.

The first race times on Friday and Saturday are 2.05pm and 1.40pm respectively.  Friday is the raceday of Vale UK, the shopfitting business from Prescot in Merseyside.

*The next racing at Haydock Park is the two-day meeting on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September - Vale UK and Sports 360 Lester Piggott racedays respectively.  Admission: Friday - £12 Newton/Tattersalls, £24 County, £36 Premier; Saturday - £12 Newton, £20 Tattersalls, £30 County, £45 Premier.  Accompanied children under 18 enter free.  Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls at half price.  More at haydock-park.com.

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For further information, please contact:
Dickon White, managing director, at Haydock Park Racecourse, on 01942 725963

Huntingdon Racecourse news release: it's Newcomers' Day at Cambridgeshire racecourse

Tuesday 20 September: Huntingdon Racecourse is laying on a warm welcome for the first of its two Sunday fixtures in October especially for those people who may never have been to the races before.

The jump racing meeting on Sunday 2 October is "Newcomers' Day".

As well as watching six horse races, visitors will be able to take part in a behind-the-scenes tour to:

* See the paddock and saddling boxes;
* Walk the racetrack and meet the head groundsman;
* Talk to a jockey;
* And watch a riding demonstration on a practice Equicisor.

The one-hour tour - organised by the British Horseracing Education & Standards Trust - begins at 12.45pm outside the weighing room, 20 minutes after the racecourse opens.

There will also be a competition to design a jockey's racing silks and visitors will be able to go to the start of one of the races - which race is still to be decided.

In addition, there will be free entertainments including:

* Pony rides in the Main Enclosure from local riding school Scallywag;
* A circus workshop;
* A selection of giant games;
* An activity bouncy castle;
* And, with the Rugby World Cup happening in New Zealand, a rugby shoot-out.

As Sunday 2 October is a day for families, the Picnic Car Park will be open.  Admission into the picnic area is just £8 for over 18s - accompanied under 18s are free.

Admission to the Main Enclosure on the day is £15 for over 18s.  There is an advance booking offer for the Main Enclosure of just £10 (booked by midnight on Saturday 1 October), quoting COMERACING2011.  Tickets can be ordered by telephone (0844 579 3007) or online at huntingdon-racecourse.co.uk.

Gates open at on Sunday 2 October at 12.25pm, with the first race at 2.25pm.

GUIDE TO HORSE RACING

What can a first time visitor to Huntingdon Racecourse expect?  They'll find plenty of signs pointing out where everything is - from restaurants, to toilets, to bars, and bookmakers.

Admission and parking: Parking is free - and so is admission for under 18s accompanied by an adult.  Choose between the Main Enclosure (£15) and the Picnic Enclosure (£8).  Admission can be paid on the day of racing - or badges can be ordered in advance at huntingdonracecourse.co.uk where there is plenty more information about the racecourse.  Dogs are allowed on a lead in the Picnic Enclosure, but not elsewhere on the racecourse.

Food & drink: There are refreshments to suit everyone's pocket and taste.  Visitors can choose between the luxury of the Peterborough Chase restaurant, the Hurdles Bar & Bistro, and the Champagne & Seafood bar.  There are fast food outlets too, including pasties and hog roast.  Picnic Enclosure patrons often bring picnics - obviously!

Racecard: The official racecard is invaluable.  The silks worn by the jockeys are displayed in colour, so punters can pinpoint who is who on top of the horses and spot where their chosen horse is during a race.

Betting: Bets can be placed with the bookmakers who stand in front of the grandstands or with The Tote.  Punters 'take a price' with a bookmaker at the time when they put their money on, whereas with The Tote the bet goes into a pool, with the winnings decided after the race.

Making a selection: The crowds can assess the horses, both in the parade ring and as they canter to the start of the race.  Or people just choose their favourite jockey or a horse whose name they like or whose rider is wearing their favourite colour!  After all, it's just a bit of fun.

The races: There are six races at half-hourly intervals - and the crowds watch from the grandstands and cheer the winners as they come back into the winner's enclosure.

THE RACES

2.25 TurfTV Novices' Hurdle
3.00 Brampton Handicap Chase
3.45 Huntingdon For All Your Wedding Needs Juvenile Hurdle
4.15 Huntingdon Novices' Chase
4.50 Huntingdon-Racecourse.co.uk Handicap Hurdle
5.20 Book Your Christmas Party at Huntingdon Handicap Hurdle

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For further information, please contact:
Sophie Hodgkinson, managing director, at Huntingdon Racecourse on 01480 453373 or 07921 269665

Market Rasen Racecourse news release: Emotional 'Prelude' day at Lincolnshire racecourse

Tuesday 20 September: Emotions will be running high at Market Rasen Racecourse on Saturday (24 SEPTEMBER) when the son of the late Ginger McCain who trained Red Rum to three Grand Nationals will target the major races.

Tributes have been flooding in for the Aintree legend (pictured with son Donald Jnr) who was also successful with Amberleigh House in the Grand National and who died on Monday two days short of his 81st birthday.

Saturday is a poignant day at the Lincolnshire racecourse too because the winner of the Tom Halliday Scholarship - awarded annually in memory of the young jockey who died after his horse fell at the track in 2005 - will be announced.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the racecourse set up the scholarship through which a conditional jockey - one who is serving his or her apprenticeship - receives expert sessions on schooling, nutrition, and media training, plus coaching from staff at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster.

The feature races on Saturday are the newly Listed £30,000 totescoop6 Prelude Hurdle, run over two miles and one furlong, and the Listed £50,000 totepool Prelude Chase.  It's a day of racing that is as prestigious as the racecourse's Totesport Summer Plate in July.

Donald McCain Jnr, who emulated his father with the victory by Ballabriggs in the Grand National in the spring, is aiming to run Drill Sergeant in the hurdle race and Alderley Rover in the steeplechase.

His charges will face stiff competition from 2011 Summer Hurdle winner Viva Colonia and Summer Plate hero Qulinton.

Welsh trainer Peter Bowen, who saddled the winner of the Prelude Chase three years in a row until 2009, is strongly represented with four of the initial 23 entries.

Pip Kirkby, the racecourse's managing director, said: "We have worked hard in recent years to create an excellent racing day in late September which falls between what is popularly regarded as the 'summer' jump racing season and the major National Hunt campaign that leads all the way to the Cheltenham Festival and the John Smith's Grand National.

"The quality of the horses being sent to run at the Prelude meeting continues to improve and that is reflected in the recent upgrading of the Prelude Hurdle.

"There is bound to be big support for the horses of Ginger McCain's son Donald Jnr.  And we also have the very important announcement to make about the next Tom Halliday Scholar."

General admission

The first race time on Saturday is 1.50pm, and gates will be open from 12 noon.  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 always admitted free of charge.  More information at 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

Redcar Racecourse news release: Eyes of horse racing world to focus on Redcar

Thursday 15 September: Redcar Racecourse stages its most important sporting occasion of the year on Saturday 1 October when well over £200,000 will be won by the successful racehorses.

The eyes of the racing world will be focussed on the Tees Valley racecourse - and the cameras of Channel 4 will be present - for one of the most eagerly awaited races for the youngest racehorses in Britain and Ireland.

The Totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy, raced over threequarters of a mile, attracts entries from hundreds of horses.  But only 23 can take part.

The race, for two-year-old colts and fillies, is worth a minimum of £150,000, and the prize is much sought after by racehorse owners and trainers on both sides of the Irish Sea.

As well as that feature race, there is the seventh running of the John Smith's Redcar Straight-Mile Championship Final for which horses have been racing to qualify during the spring and summer.

Completing a trio of top class races, there is the historic Guisborough Stakes, which is worth £30,000 in prize-money.

Redcar Racecourse's general manager Amy Fair said: "This is the day in the year when we really come into the sporting spotlight.

"We are delighted, as always, to welcome Channel 4 to our racecourse, which means that we will be seen by more than one million viewers across the country.

"As a thank you to our visitors this year, anyone booking a ticket in advance for 1 October will be given a 50% discount on admission and racecards for our final three meetings of 2011 as well as receiving £2 off a £5 Placepot bet with the Tote."

Visitors are also invited to join former jockey Jimmy Bleasdale for a behind-the-scenes tour of the racecourse including a visit to the weighing room.  The tour starts at 12.15pm in front of the Petch Stand. 

On Saturday 1 October, there are seven horse races between 2pm and 5.25pm.  After that, there are three further fixtures at Redcar Racecourse before the end of the Flat racing season - on Friday 14 October, Monday 24 October and Tuesday 1 November.

General admission on Saturday 1 October

Grandstand £15; Course Enclosure £5.  Accompanied children under 16 always admitted free of charge.  Seniors - £12 Grandstand and £4 Course Enclosure.  More information at redcarracing.co.uk.  The racecourse's website offers the convenience of online purchasing of tickets for all racing days.

Punter's package - £13-23 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 - £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.

Barbecue package - £37.50 (£25.50 for under 16s) in the Grandstand Enclosure: use of the Classic Suite and Winners' Enclosure viewing balcony; admission ticket; raceday programme; pint of beer, glass of wine, or soft drink; meal from BBQ 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 redcarracing.co.uk and twitter.com/#!/redcarracing.

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

Kempton Park Racecourse news release: William Hill Winter Festival ticket sales begin

Thursday 8 September: It's the must see British sporting occasion at Christmas time - and ticket sales for the William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton Park Racecourse on Boxing Day and Monday 27 December have begun.

Jump racing fans are already eagerly anticipating the return of the racehorse Long Run - and his amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen - following superb victories in the delayed 2010 William Hill King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The racecourse's managing director Amy Starkey said: "The William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton Park is as much a part of Christmas as turkey, mulled wine and mince pies.

"Fans of sport love Boxing Day at Kempton Park, and especially the William Hill King George VI Chase, the showpiece race made so famous by the exploits of racehorse legends Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.  But we have a new King of Kempton now - and we are already excited about welcoming back Long Run to defend his crown.

"The best way for racing fans to guarantee their place to witness events unfold on Boxing Day is to book a 'Cracker' admission ticket in advance."

Visitors returning to Kempton Park will notice a big difference in the facilities in the main grandstand.  Following a makeover during the summer, there is a brand new Costa Coffee shop, the 'Kings of Kempton' bars and an Italian Trattoria serving freshly baked pizzas, plus relaxed seating areas - which will all ensure a more comfortable William Hill Winter Festival experience than ever before.

'Cracker' tickets - which are available for both days of the festival - come with a book of vouchers for a racecard, a drink, a £10 bet with William Hill, and a discounted return visit to Kempton Park in the New Year.

The ticketing options are:

* Premier Cracker with reserved seat £60;
* Premier Cracker £45;
* Paddock Cracker £30.

Tickets for the Festival Enclosure can also be bought in advance.  They cost £12.

Car parking tickets, which can be ordered in advance too, cost £5, £8 and £15.

On the second day of the William Hill Winter Festival - on Tuesday 27 December - the prices are £25 for Premier Cracker and £18 for Paddock Cracker tickets.

The Festival Enclosure on day two is £8 in advance, while car parking is £3 or £5.

Disabled parking is free of charge, as is parking in the centre of the racecourse on both days.

Bookings can be made online at boxingdayraces.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0844 579 3008.

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

About The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club is at the heart of racing in Great Britain as the largest commercial group in the sport. Its interests include:

Jockey Club Racecourses: Responsible for the operation of a diversified portfolio of 14 racecourses in Great Britain: Aintree, Carlisle, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs, Exeter, Haydock Park, Huntingdon, Kempton Park, Market Rasen, Newmarket, Nottingham, Sandown Park, Warwick and Wincanton.

The group stages four of the five 'Classics' of Flat racing (the Derby and the Oaks at Epsom Downs and the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket), as well as the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National at Aintree.

Jockey Club Estates: The property and land management company responsible for the management and administration of more than 5,000 acres of land in and around the racing training centres of Newmarket and Lambourn, as well as an extensive property portfolio, including the Jockey Club Rooms.

The National Stud: Transferred from Government to The Jockey Club in 2008, The National Stud is a commercial thoroughbred breeding enterprise with a commitment to provide training and educational programmes.

Racing Welfare: A racing charity and company limited by guarantee with The Jockey Club being the sole member. The principal objective of Racing Welfare is to provide help to those in need who work or have worked in the thoroughbred industry, and their dependants.

Racing for Change news release: Can history repeat itself in the world's oldest Classic race?

Thursday 1 September: British horseracing is steeped in history, but no Classic race can claim an older heritage than the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster Racecourse which was first established in 1776 and celebrates its 225th running on Saturday 10 September 2011.

What's more, time and time again we can draw parallels with previous races in the elusive search for the next winner, for the St Leger has a happy habit of being won by previously successful jockeys and trainers.  It's just a matter of finding the right one.

During its history, the race has been won on 16 occasions by the same trainer, nine times by the same jockey and seven times by the same owner but never twice by the same horse.  This is for the simple reason that the St Leger, being one of the five British Classics, is restricted to horses that are three years old.

This year's race, which forms part of the all-important QIPCO British Champions Series, is likely to be contested by nine trainers, jockeys or owners who've enjoyed success in previous years.

Amongst the training ranks, Sir Michael Stoute, John Gosden and Aidan O'Brien have already celebrated a St Leger victory with the latter having won it on three occasions to date.  Amongst the jockeys, William Buick, Jamie Spencer and Frankie Dettori have all tasted victory, with Frankie notching up five victories in previous St Legers.  Certain owners have also proved luckier than others over the years, with Godolphin, Coolmore and Khalid Abdulla each having collected the trophy on at least one occasion.

Look back through the decades and you'll see history repeating itself again and again.  The great Lester Piggott won the race on eight occasions; Gordon Richards five times; and Fred Archer four times.  Legendary trainers Dick Hern and Sir Henry Cecil have lifted the prize nine times between them.

From an historical perspective, the horses with the greatest chance of victory this year have to be: Blue Bunting, owned by Godolphin and ridden by Frankie Dettori; Sea Moon, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by Khalid Abdullah; or one of Aidan O'Brien's runners for Coolmore.

Ten Facts You Might Not Know About the St Leger

1. The race was founded by Anthony St Leger (properly pronounced Sellinger) in 1776, but it didn't carry his name in the title until 1778.

2. The race was first run over two miles but its distance was cut in 1813 to 1 mile, 6 furlongs, 193 yards and has remained much the same ever since.

3. The St Leger is the oldest of the five Classics, the others being the Derby, Oaks, 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas.

4. The St Leger is the third and final part of the Triple Crown - 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger (colts) and 1000 Guineas, Oaks and St Leger (fillies).  The only colt to complete the series since the Second World War was Nijinsky in 1970, while Oh So Sharp achieved it for the fillies in 1985.

5. The event has been at its present location, Town Moor in Doncaster, since 1778 with few exceptions.

6. The 1939 race was cancelled because of the outbreak of the Second World War early in September.

7. Frankie Dettori has ridden the winner three times in the last six years; John Gosden has trained the winner twice in the last four years.

8. The Queen's filly Dunfermline won the St Leger during Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee year in 1977.

9. A 19th Century adage was that 'while the fittest horse wins the 2000 Guineas and the luckiest horse wins the Derby, the best horse wins the St Leger'.

10. In the early years of the St Leger, horses entered for the race had to be 'shown' at a spot outside Doncaster called Lousy Bush Close.

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For further information and images please contact:

Nick Attenborough, Director of Consumer PR, Racing Enterprises Limited, on 020 7152 0193 or nattenborough@racingenterpriseslimited.co.uk