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B i l l F o y l a n h a s b e e n r a c i n g s i n c e s c h o o l a n d h a s b e e n a m e m b e r a t C h e lt e n h a m r a c e c o u r s e f o r m a n y y e a r s Meet a member
#ILLBETHERE 13 –16 MARCH 2018
Bill with his niece Helena at The Open meeting at Cheltenham
T he thrilling atmosphere is what keeps member Bill Foylan coming back to The Festival at Cheltenham year after year. Bill, 54, first came to The Festival in 1980 with his father, but it was to become a lifelong love affair, lasting more than three decades so far. Bill said: “My earliest memory of coming to Cheltenham is from 1978 with a couple of mates from school. “We were in the sixth form at Sir Thomas Rich’s School in Gloucester and mad keen on racing. “We spent far too much free study time looking at the race cards and studying form and not nearly enough on school work – a fact reflected in my own academic results.” But it was The Festival itself which captured the imagination. “My first Festival was back in 1980. My father and I just rocked up at the gate and paid our entrance fee. How times have changed! “I didn’t back a winner and basically ‘did’ my week’s wages! The atmosphere was brilliant though and I’ve been back for every Festival since.” During the past 30 years, Bill will have heard the famous Cheltenham Roar from the original Tattersalls grandstand, which was replaced in 1997, to the modern Princess Royal Stand which opened in 2015. “I love the first two days of The Festival, especially the two-mile chases, so have been privileged to witness some amazing races and performances. “I loved Viking Flagship and Moscow Flyer and the mercurial talent that was Harchibald (how did he not win the Champion Hurdle?). “I was there for Dawn Run, Desert Orchid and Best Mate (all three of his wins) which were
Bill’s son Liam holds the Gold Cup during a racecourse open day in 1997
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wonderful moments but without doubt the stand- out for me was Denman winning his Gold Cup. It was an unforgettable performance.” Now Bill, from Churchdown, comes racing with the same group of friends he’s been visiting with for the past 30-plus years. He also co-owns the horse Grand March with a partnership. He said: “We have been lucky enough to have had a couple of horses run at The International and The April Meeting. A massive thrill,
particularly as we managed a third and fourth place so entered into the hallowed winner’s enclosure.” As a full member, Bill has made it a family affair, bringing his children Liam, 23, James, 20 and Katie, 16, and his niece Helena. The IT company owner decided to become a member because he came to nearly all the meetings at Cheltenham, his local course. “I’d been as a guest of a member so it was just good value for money and the extra facilities available made it an attractive option,” he said. The 2017 Festival was something of a high point for Bill and he enjoyed both Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair and a brilliant ride from Jamie Codd on Fayonagh in the Bumper. And next year is set to be even better. “I’ve had a small bet on Coneygree for the 2018 Gold Cup (25/1) so looking forward to seeing him coming back to top form after his promising run in Ireland,” said Bill. “Altior versus a top form Douvan would be something to savour.” But it’s not just The Festival which gets his heart racing. Bill said: “Outside The Festival, the raceday I enjoy most has to be the Saturday of The November Meeting. The day offers a brilliant atmosphere and excellent racing.”
Bill with his current horse Grand March
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