Around our South West Racecourses
Warwick gearing up for Victory in Europe (VE) Raceday on May 8 WARWICK Racecourse is gearing up to host one of its biggest-ever racedays this year – after enjoying a record- breaking few months. The Victory in Europe (VE) Raceday will be held on Friday, May 8, and will be a centrepiece in the celebration of 75 years since the end of World War II in Europe. Races taking place on the day will be named after World War II heroes selected by the Royal British Legion. Entertainment away from the track will include a parachute display team, wartime ballads and displays of replica military planes. Warwick Racecourse plays a key role in its local community and is working alongside local charities and community partners to put on the occasion. There will even be a huge street party taking place in
93-year-old D-day veteran Albert Price (third left) launches Warwick’s plans for its VE Day 75th anniversary commemoration
Enjoy fun days at Exeter with superheroes, Junior Jumpers and music nights HEROES and horses will be the focus on Sunday, March 22 on Exeter’s Super Hero Family Raceday. Whether it’s Wonder Woman, Superman, Captain America, or a made-up hero who might go by the name of Devonman, Bodonog or Piffle, children are encouraged to dress up and enjoy a fun day out on Haldon Hill. With capes flying, masks masquerading and superhuman powers to charge them through the day, there will be a chance for our younger generation of racegoers to meet other defenders of the universe. These warriors of our galaxy can take part in running races on the actual racecourse, have their faces painted and test their climbing skills on the high-ropes course and other free activities. Two pre-booked Grandstand and Paddock tickets to this popular meeting cost just £15 and with children aged 17 and under free it’s a day not to be missed. Junior Jumpers Raceday on Tuesday, April 7 is another great day out when the focus is on horseracing and what goes on behind the scenes. Take the opportunity to join up to Junior Jumpers TM , a free membership club for young racing fans with quarterly newsletters, exclusive experiences and a great membership pack. The racecourse is heading back to the 1980s for an evening of loud colours, extreme fashion, sky-high hair and era-defining music on its 1980s Music Night on Friday, April 17. With the first race off at 4.55pm and the last at 7.55pm, make it an after-work date, grab some hairspray, spike up your hair,
the centre of the course. General manager Andre Klein said: “It’s going to be a massive occasion and one of the best ways to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day anywhere in the country. “The level of community
Then just two weeks later the Classic Chase Day achieved its highest attendance since 1994. Klein added: “Year-on-year we continue to improve our experience, and we’re seeing the results in our strong attendances.” Warwick will host four meetings in March and April (March 8 and 26, April 14 and 23) before the VE Raceday opens its four-fixture May Racing Carnival. It will then move on to Ladies Night on May 9, Proudly Warwickshire on May 20 and Celebration Race Night to close the season on May 27. warwickracecourse.co.uk
Wincanton and, as enthusiastic followers of the sport, they are regular visitors to the racecourse. Expect to see them at one of the last few fixtures of the season. “It’s very exciting to be working with Wincanton Racecourse,” Jamie commented. Craig added: “I’m honoured to be asked to be an ambassador for Wincanton Racecourse. I enjoy going to the races and seeing how another sport goes about its business.” Rickety Bridge is a name that will resonate on Monday, March 23 when the South African winery sponsors a raceday. Two-hundred years of winemaking tradition have been honed to perfection at the Western Cape vineyard, marketed in the UK through RR Elite Wines. April Fool’s Day is one to spend at Wincanton, enjoying seven races. A new rule comes into force on April 1, when jockeys will be given on-the-spot fines if they don’t interest we have had in the day is far bigger than any meeting we’ve staged at Warwick in recent times.” The feature VE Raceday comes following a duo of record-breaking attendances at Warwick. More than 7,500 people attended the New Year’s Eve raceday, the largest crowd since records began in the 1970s.
pull on those shoulder pads and enjoy six races before getting on down for a boogie. The 1990s are in the limelight at Exeter’s season’s finale on Thursday, April 23. Grab those crop-tops, chokers, Doc Martens, black leather jackets, big hooped earrings and scrunchies – the more grunge your look the better – and sway the night away to some iconic tunes after the last race at 7.50pm. exeter-racecourse.co.uk
remove their mount’s droppings in the parade ring within an hour of deposit. They will also be trialling a handy new satnav device to ensure they stay on track in every race. Then it’s on to the racecourse’s ever-popular Family Fun Day on Sunday, April 19. This is the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family racing – under-18s go free when accompanied by an adult – and enjoy plenty of free on-course entertainment as well as the seven races. The season closes on Thursday, May 7 when a party atmosphere will pervade at the racecourse’s first ever Celebrating Somerset Race Evening. There’ll be live music to tap your toes to as the curtain comes down on another great season in the early spring sunshine celebrating the home of cider and cheese, the county’s most famous exports with a number of varieties on show. wincantonracecourse.co.uk
Wincanton combining
cricket, wine fools and fun CRICKET heroes Jamie and Craig
Overton (right) will be swapping pitches for paddocks as Wincanton’s ambassadors for 2020. The talented brothers, who have played for Somerset County Cricket Club since 2012, are the first non-racing ambassadors for
66 The Festival March 2020
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