Kalendar Magazine 2018-19

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E S O U T H W E S T R E G I O N O F T H E J O C K E Y C L U B 18/19 Jump Season

LeeWestwood hoofs it toThe Festival™ presented by Magners Jump racing returns for the 2018/19 season

WORLDWIDE JET CHARTER EXECUTIVE HELICOPTER CHARTER AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT

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BUSINESS TRAVEL I SPORTING EVENTS I GROUP TRAVEL I MEDICAL FLIGHTS

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T H E L I T T L E

C O M P A N Y

WELCOME T he upcoming season will be my seventh in the role of Regional Director for the South West region of The Jockey Club and this one looks set to be as exciting as ever. With highlights such as New Year’s Day and Haldon Gold Cup Day at Exeter, Badger Ales Chase Day and Boxing Day at Wincanton, New Year’s

Cheltenham and has also enjoyed Festival glory when his horse Ballyalton won the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap at The Festival in 2016. Included in the magazine is information about how to purchase tickets and hospitality options at all our South West courses across the season, including our new facility at Cheltenham for The Festival, The Horse & Groom pub. Created following feedback from our customers as an alternative to the traditional fine dining restaurants seen around other areas of the racecourse, The Horse & Groom will be situated overlooking the racecourse between the last and second last fence. This exciting addition to our stable of hospitality offerings will provide a relaxed and informal option for racegoers to enjoy their day at The Festival and I am delighted that we continue to create new and exciting options for those wishing to experience the very best in sporting dining. Theatre@ The Festival, our pan-Asian restaurant which was so well received last year, also overlooking the course, returns for the second time at next year’s Festival, you can find further details along with a selection of hospitality options on page 60. I trust you enjoy this year’s edition of Kalendar and we look forward to welcoming you to our four racecourses, Cheltenham, Exeter, Warwick and Wincanton, during the season.

Eve and Classic Chase Day at Warwick and The November Meeting and then, the highlight of the jumping calendar, The Festival™ presented by Magners at Cheltenham, we are set to host 77 amazing days of racing through the autumn, winter and spring months. In this year’s edition of Kalendar we chat to the Tizzard family, who won their first Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2018 with Native River. Their training operation has grown significantly in the past few years and it was an emotional moment for all the family in March when Native River powered up the hill on his way to victory in the season showpiece. Back at home, they chat about the day, how special it was for all of them and give a peek inside the training operation that works alongside the dairy farm. Native River will hopefully return to line up for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next March, where, for the first time, the race will be sponsored by the Irish Cider brand Magners. We are delighted to be working alongside Magners for the next four years, with the sponsorship of both the newly named Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and in their role as Presenting Partner of The Festival. We also catch up with fan and professional golfer Lee Westwood, who attends The Festival every year and this year had a rather successful week, when he picked all the winners on Champion Day, and then continued his amazing strike rate with winners in the first two races on the Wednesday. Lee is a huge fan of

Ian Renton Regional Director, South West region of The Jockey Club

@CheltenhamRaces

@thehomeofjumpracing

@CheltenhamRaces

Governed by Royal Charter, The Jockey Club invests every penny it makes back into British racing for the long-term health of the sport

Kalendar 3

The Jockey Club Regional Hospitality Sales Tel: 01242 537653 Regional Head of Sales – South West Lee Moulson lee.moulson@thejockeyclub.co.uk Regional Head of Partnershps Carey Weeks carey.weeks@thejockeyclub.co.uk Regional Communications Manager Sophia Dale sophia.dale@thejockeyclub.co.uk The Festival™ is a registered trademark of Jockey Club Racecourses Limited Cheltenham – Racecourse of the Year 2004-2015

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Archant Dialogue, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE

Archant Dialogue is part of Archant Community Media

Editor Sue Dando Art Editor Claire Leibrick Designers Sian Osborne and Matt Copland Senior Account Manager Laura Stringer Production Manager Kay Brown Art Director Richard Berry Content and Brand Director Ryan Battles

65 THE ORCHARD Utterly exclusive and invite only, The Orchard is new for The Festival 2019 74 GET SET FOR SPRING Catch up on all the action from Cheltenham’s April meeting 77 SEASON’ S END PARTY End the season with a flourish at Race Night

CHELTENHAM 36 RACING REMEMBER Gloucestershire marks the centenary of the First World War Armistice with a day to remember 48 THE CHELTENHAM CLUB It’s the most exclusive club for those wanting the very best of the best 52 HOSPITALITY PACKAGES Spectate in style with one of Cheltenham’s fabulous hospitality packages 55 CELEB SPOTTING Celebrity spotting at The 2018 Festival 56 ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW Everything you need to know about the facilities and enclosures at The Festival TM presented by Magners 60 DINE IN STYLE Complete your Cheltenham experience with an exclusive dining package 62 A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP The new partnership between Cheltenham and Magners Cider is a perfect fit

Agency Director Zoë Francis-Cox For all advertising enquiries, please call: 01242 537665 Images by: PA images, John Hoy, Cheltenham racing photos, Steven Cargill, Fran Altoft, Simon Hayward The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jockey Club or Archant Dialogue. All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission from Archant Dialogue. We accept no liability for any insert, display or classified advertisement included in this publication. While every care is taken to ensure that all advertisers are reliable and reputable, we can give no assurance that they will fulfil their obligation. © Archant Dialogue 2018

Celebrate the Home of Jump Racing’s signature meeting with our special gatefold section at the centre of the magazine.

FEATURES 8 LEE WESTWOOD

Legendary golfer and racing fanatic Lee on what he loves most about Cheltenham 16 A WORD IN OUR EAR All your Kalendar questions answered plus a chance to win tickets for next year’s Festival

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19 JOIN OUR SYNDICATE Enjoy racing even more by becoming a member of our syndicate 20 THE MCCOYS A look ahead to this year’s McCoys Jockey Club Jump Awards 26 SEASON OPENER Get ready for the season ahead with The Showcase meeting 32 NOVEMBER MAGIC The thrilling November meeting provides three days of fantastic racing, shopping and family fun 38 INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS CRACKER Celebrate Cheltenham’s winter frolic at The International meeting 41 CRYSTAL CUP The European Cross Country Challenge comes to Cheltenham 42 NEW YEAR’ S PARTY Blow the cobwebs away with family fun at the New Year’s Day meeting 45 TERRIFIC TRIALS ACTION See all the action at Festival Trials Day, one of the most significant staging posts in the run up to The Festival

68 AT HOME WITH THE TIZZARDS

89 JUNIOR JUMPERS 12-year-old Junior Jumper Katie Miller on her very special day at Cheltenham 91 RIDING FOR THE DISABLED Behind the scenes at Cotswold RDA PLANNING YOUR VISIT 6 DIARY DATES Key fixtures at Cheltenham, Exeter, Warwick and Wincanton 93 TRAFFIC All you need to know about getting to Cheltenham 97 ACCESS FOR ALL Discover the services that can help everyone enjoy a day at the races 98 MEET A MEMBER Cheltenham member Arron Snipe reveals what he loves most about a day at the races

Behind the scenes at Team Tizzard, home of the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River 78 SNOOKER COMES TO CHELTENHAM The Centaur gets ready to host snooker’s World Grand Prix for the first time REGIONAL RACECOURSES 80 COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS Get in the festive spirit with a visit to one of the Jockey Club’s regional racecourses 83 WINCANTON Yes, the clue really is in the name – come to Wincanton for a thrilling (and hopefully winning) day out 85 EXETER Looking ahead to the new season at this spectacular hilltop course 87 WARWICK There’s much to look forward to at this small but perfectly formed track

Following customer feedback pricing can now be found on

feature pages

Kalendar 5

The weather’s getting colder and the racing’s getting hotter as the National Hunt season gets into full swing SEASON DATES

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jockey club south west | season dates

Governed by Royal Charter, The Jockey Club invests every penny it makes back into British racing for the long-term health of the sport.

RACECOURSE KEY

EX EXETER CH CHELTENHAM WA WARWICK WI WINCANTON

January Jumps

Midweek Jumps Monday March 25 Spring Raceday Thursday March 28 APRIL

Sunday January 20 Midlands Raceday Monday January 21 Festival Trials Day

Saturday January 26 Somerset National Day Thursday January 31 FEBRUARY Gentlemen’s Raceday ft Kingmaker Chase Saturday February 09 Ladies Raceday Sunday February 10 Betway Kingwell Hurdle Day Saturday February 16 Devon National

Midweek Jumps

Wednesday April 03 Junior Jumpers Raceday EX Tuesday April 09 St Mary’s Land Cup Day WA Wednesday April 10 Family Fun Day WI Sunday April 14 Superhero Family EX Fun Day Tuesday April 16 The April Meeting CH Wednesday April 17

Winter Warmer

SEPTEMBER 2018

Wednesday November 21 Afternoon Racing Thursday November 22 Devon Day Sunday November 25 DECEMBER Thursday December 06 Festive Raceday Friday December 07 Eventmasters Christmas At The Races Thursday December 13 The International Friday December 14 Saturday December 15 Christmas Raceday Festive Raceday Thursday December 20 Boxing Day

The Smarkets Racing UK WA Grand Season Opener Tuesday September 25 OCTOBER

Raceday Friday February 22 Fabulous Fiver Friday WA Friday ft Budbrooke Chase Friday February 22 Midweek Jumps WI Wednesday February 27 MARCH

Thursday April 18 Charity Raceday Thursday April 25

The Autumn Meeting Thursday October 04 Season Opener Thursday October 11 Season Opener Friday October 19 Best Mate Beginners Chase Day Tuesday October 23 The Showcase Friday October 26 Saturday October 27 The Betbright Countryside Day Sunday October 28 NOVEMBER Haldon Gold Cup Day Tuesday November 06 Smarkets Sporting Icon Raceday Friday November 09 Badger Chase Day Saturday November 10 Midweek Racing Wednesday November 14 The November Meeting Friday November 16 Saturday November 17 Sunday November 18

MAY

Race Night

Friday May 03 Kids Carnival Day Monday May 06 Season Finale Tuesday May 07 Ladies Night Thursday May 09 Ladies Night Saturday May 11 Cheese and Cider Night Tuesday May 14 Proudly Warwick Wednesday May 22 Celebration Racenight Wednesday May 29

March Racing

Afternoon Series Tuesday March 05 Midweek Jumps Thursday March 07 Countryside Raceday Tuesday March 12 Wednesday March 13 Thursday March 14 Friday March 15 March Racing Sunday March 10 The Festival TM

Wednesday December 26 New Year’s Eve Raceday WA Monday December 31 JANUARY 2019

New Year’s Day Tuesday January 01 New Year’s Day Tuesday January 01 Newcomers Raceday Saturday January 05 Classic Chase Day Saturday January 12 Midweek Jumps Thursday January 17

Afternoon Series Monday March 18 Gentleman’s Day Sunday March 24

For more information on all our racedays across the season, please visit

cheltenham.co.uk warwickracecourse.co.uk exeter-racecourse.co.uk wincantonracecourse.co.uk

Kalendar 7

interview I lee westwood

It’s a well known fact that golf star LEE WESTWOOD is a racing fanatic. He tells TOM PEACOCK about his love of the sport, ambition to captain the Ryder Cup team, and how he backed 11 out of 12 winners on the first two days of the 2018 Festival FAIRWAY TO FURLONG

A day on the golf course is the first choice for plenty of us to relieve the stresses of working life. So too the racing professionals, many of whom disappear off for 18 holes whenever there’s a spare moment. What, though, if the game happens to be your day job? For former world number one Lee Westwood, a visit to Cheltenham is high on the relaxation agenda. “There aren’t many sports you can do when you’re a golfer that aren’t going to get you injured,” Westwood chuckles. “Luckily going and watching racing’s one of them.” The 45-year-old’s enduring career has allowed him

to be more than simply a spectator of the sport but his curiosity was piqued at an earlier age. “I think I first remember seeing racing at Christmas-time,” he recalls. “I was watching Kempton, the King George, on TV with my dad and grandad, and then races like the Grand National. “We didn’t really go racing when I was young. My dad followed it, not very seriously, but he always had an interest in the bigger meetings whenever they were on. “I might actually have even been racing at Southwell first, and then we went to places around Worksop, the area that I’m from. Tracks like Pontefract, Thirsk, Doncaster and Market Rasen. “It sort of took off from there. I earned a few quid playing golf and was able to buy a few horses and get involved in syndicates. I had two Flat horses and two jumpers and gradually got more and more into it and started to buy some better horses.” Westwood’s initial venture into ownership, however, proves that no-one is immune to finding themselves with a dud. “The first one I ever bought was with (local

8 Kalendar

Lee photographed at Close House Golf Course, home to The Lee Westwood Filly Course and The Championship Lee Westwood Colt Course

Lee celebrates with Ballyalton after victory in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase

trainer) Derek Shaw, a horse called In The Arena,” he says ruefully. “Unfortunately he never even won a race, so it was a fairly unsuccessful start, but it did give me a flavour of being an owner. “I went on to have a few good ones with Karl Burke, and then we moved on to Mick Easterby, and had a few good ones with him. Hoof It did really well, he won the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood, the consolation race, and some good handicaps at places “During Festival week the atmosphere is so incredible and you get so many interesting people there ... it’s great to see such quality races”

like Doncaster and York, and we also had Hoofalong, who won the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh.” Westwood is diplomatic when asked if he prefers the Flat or the Jumps. “I’d say a bit of both,” he replies. “One of the better horses I had was a horse called Grande Jete, who started off in South Africa and ran in some of the best Flat races over there. Then we took him to Dubai, where he ran OK, and we decided to bring him over to England and we eventually sent him jumping with Nicky Henderson. “The first time he went hurdling he ran at Bangor one December. I went all the way over there to watch him and he got beaten by a horse who was a real hotshot called Garde Champetre, who ended up being bought by JP McManus and won all the cross-country races at Cheltenham. “I remember Mick Fitzgerald riding Grande Jete for me. They were going up the back straight and the horse started slowing down. When he came back in, I said to Mick, ‘what was wrong with it up the back straight?’ and he replied, ‘well, it didn’t like running into the wind and the rain’.

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interview I lee westwood

“I thought to myself, ‘that’s not going to be a great hurdler, is it!’” Fortunately, Grande Jete accepted the wintry British weather enough to win a small race at Wincanton and did manage to finish fourth in the 2005 Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle. The results at The Festival were to rise far higher in time. Ballyalton, carrying the colours of the golfer’s father, John, has been nursed through several long-term injuries by his Midlands-based trainer Ian Williams. Despite this, he has reached three of the past five meetings, chasing home Faugheen in the 2014 renewal of what is now the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, returning two years later to win the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase, and again as an 11-year-old for a fine fourth in the latest running of the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate. “I bought him as a Christmas present for my dad one year and he’s been a brilliant horse,” Westwood explains. “The Close Brothers was incredible, just seeing him go up that hill with us all being there. And I actually happened to have had a few quid on him (at 12-1) as well!” While many of his horses were owned in partnerships with his former manager Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, one of his more recent investments has been with a rather more star- studded collection. The Masters Syndicate was conceived when Graham Wylie, the software tycoon and owner of such National Hunt superstars as the three-time Stayers’ Hurdle hero Inglis Drever and the quirky but hugely popular Tidal Bay, was out watching the golf in America with fellow north-east luminaries Ant & Dec and footballer Alan Shearer. They decided to have a horse together and Newcastle- based Westwood, whose partner Helen Storey is the sister of Wylie’s wife Andrea, was roped in too. The appropriately-named Augusta Kate, bred by Wylie himself out of the outstanding hurdler Feathard Lady, was sent to Willie Mullins and ended up being sent off favourite for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 2016, the first of three consecutive visits she made to The Festival. “We had a fantastic run with her, running at Cheltenham and she also won at Punchestown. She’s actually retired now and has been put in foal. I think we’ll probably end up selling her but there are a few others in the pipeline. There should be one coming out soon that we’ve called Amen Corner, probably for the same syndicate.

“I’ve got rid of most of the Flat horses now but I’ve still got a few Jump ones. Andrew Harding and Ross Marshall who founded Your Golf Travel (a holiday business for which Westwood is an ambassador) started a syndicate called The Albatross Club and I got involved in that. We’ve got some good ones through them. “Western Ryder (a winner of a novice hurdle at The International last December for Warren Greatrex) ran at The Festival last season and hopefully we’ll have some more fun with him. He’s probably my best chance to get there again, and hopefully there’s another good one to come.” Despite his golfing commitments around the world, there are a certain four days in the middle of March which are now always blocked off in Westwood’s diary. “I’ve been to every day of The Festival for the last three years, and I’ve been to Cheltenham in October and November-time as well,” he says. “It’s the home of National Hunt racing, during Festival week the atmosphere is so incredible and you get so many interesting people there. For anybody that loves horse racing it’s great to see such quality races, the best horses are there and it’s kind of like a Formula One race, you’ve got all the elite running. The races that week seem to be so much quicker, they just seem to go so fast over those hurdles and fences, it’s incredible.” Westwood is a huge all-round sport fanatic, judged by enthusiastic social media postings at manifold events. He not only finds time when he can to watch Nottingham Forest F.C. but has been spotted at Wimbledon’s Centre Court, as well as motor racing, rugby and even showjumping events. However, he puts Cheltenham right at the summit.

“As far as occasion and atmosphere are concerned, that first race on the Tuesday

afternoon… when the cheer goes up as they start, it’s as good an atmosphere as you’d find anywhere.”

Right: Lee and father John (left) celebrate with the trophy during the presentation ceremony for the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase after Ballyalton’s win

Left: Lee during St Patrick’s Thursday at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival

Derrick Smith’s daughter, Viviene Day. “It’s trained in America by Wesley Ward and it actually ran at Royal Ascot this year, but unfortunately it didn’t win.” The golf and racing link usually tends to follow in the opposite direction. “I’ve played with a lot of the jockeys at golf days with the likes of Frankie Dettori, Mick Fitzgerald, AP McCoy, and I’ve got to know them pretty well. Carl Llewellyn too, he’s a bit of a bandit, and always good fun to be around.” The current tour season has been somewhat ponderous by Westwood’s standards given he has collected more than 40 professional titles across five continents in a career spanning 22 years. It is also fairly extraordinary to remember that it is 21 years since he made his Ryder Cup debut alongside Nick Faldo back in what was to be the first of 10 consecutive appearances in the classic encounter between the cream of Europe and America. He played a vital role in Europe’s dominant victory at Oakland Hills in 2004 as well as holding his nerve against Matt Kuchar in the singles in the dramatic comeback in the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ six years ago. As the 2018 showdown draws ever closer, this time to be staged at Le Golf National at the end of September, captain Thomas Bjorn will be calling upon Westwood’s wealth of experience. “I’m playing all right – in some tournaments I’ve played well, in some not so,” he says. “I’m vice-captain at the Ryder Cup, so that’s exciting. Some time down the line I want to be captain, so it’ll be nice to see what goes on behind the scenes and learn what captaincy is all about. We’re going to have a great team as far as ability is concerned, then it’s just a case of getting everybody thinking the right way and the team spirit high.” However long his playing career lasts on the fairways, Westwood has no desire to follow in the example of some other sporting heroes in taking a more hands-on interest in racing. Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton memorably turned jockey and finished fifth in the 2016 St. James’s Place Foxhunter Chase while footballer Michael Owen, who owns his own racing stable in Cheshire, rode in a charity race at Ascot. “God no, I’d never make the weight!” he says. “Michael Owen might have done it but he didn’t start at 100kg did he?” In fairness to Westwood, he seems to be doing just fine by watching from the sidelines.

Westwood’s contacts and knowledge help on the betting front as well. “I did do well this year,” he recalls. “On the first day I picked all six winners for the Tote jackpot and won just short of £22,000 there. Then I picked the winner of the last race and won quite heavily on that, because obviously I’d won a lot already. Then I managed to pick four of the first five on the second day as well. From the first two days, I’d got 11 of the 12 winners up.” This was no mean feat. Westwood laid out £128 for his pool bet in various combinations and while there were a couple of obvious bankers such as Buveur d’Air retaining the Unibet Champion Hurdle and Footpad running away with the Racing Post Arkle, not all of the winners were sent off favourite. At the most competitive meeting of the entire year, what on earth was his secret? “Just luck, a lot of luck,” he replies modestly. “I got a few tips off people. Ian Williams is normally good for a tip, and few others like Graham Wylie know their stuff. I kind of go around collating it from everywhere.” Perhaps the most notable golfer to have taken a serious interest in horses is the great South African Gary Player, who built up his own stud farm in the Northern Cape. Westwood says that few of the present crop have an active interest and that the clubhouse chat is not exactly centred around a copy of the Racing Post . “You don’t see many doing that, only me,” he explains. “Not too many of them are involved. Justin Rose likes it, his wife’s got a Flat horse called Master Merion with prominent owner

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1 2 - 1 5 M A R C H

Meet the Rosconn team… regulars at The Cheltenham Club

Striving to be the best in its class like The Cheltenham Club at Cheltenham Racecourse, Rosconn Strategic Land, which is based in Stratford-Upon-Avon, is a privately-owned land promotion company specialising in residential-led developments. Founded in 2005, by Managing Director and avid lifelong racing fan, Dan O’Donnell, the company has built up a strong reputation in the business, and is today known for its world class customer service.

out of university he joined Dan in those early years as Land Manager. Today, Nick works across the business on everything from site finding, growth strategy, negotiating transactions to disposing of sites. Nick comments: “Our process is different, from a landowners perspective they have continuity with a dedicated team member from start to finish, rather than dealing with a variety of different people. We’ve had an extremely positive year – securing many planning consents and agreeing more land promotion opportunities. Our strong growth is a direct result of positive recommendations from other landowners and their advisers, in addition to outstanding customer satisfaction feedback.” Rosconn has its own planning team, led by Daniel Hatcher, which has a proven track record of dealing with local authorities to obtain planning permissions that comply with current

Nick Carr Operations Director

Dan O’Donnell Managing Director

Experts in obtaining planning permission and maximising financial return on behalf of land owners, Rosconn works closely with its clients throughout the process to find the right purchaser, at the best price, ensuring maximum return. It’s the passionate and highly driven internal team that make Rosconn different, also utilising the best external team of consultants on every transaction, and working with each client every step of the way to ensure happy and successful landowners. Dan comments: “Since starting as a small company 13 years ago we have grown considerably and are now recognised as one of the leading land promotion groups in the UK. We have a strong team of nine and our management structure, which has been together for a long time, ensures the synergy works well.” The management team is made up of Nick Carr, Operations Director and Daniel Hatcher, Planning Director, who work alongside the founder. Nick has been with Rosconn since 2007, fresh

The word is spreading Rosconn will maximise the return on your land

regulations. Daniel who joined Rosconn in 2016 with over 20 years planning experience comments: “We currently have 10 large sites in planning. We are experts in gaining planning permission on sites adding value for our landowners. We invest the money and intellectual capacity to deliver planning permission, only then do we go out to the open market to sell the land to ensure the best value.” The group’s ethos and values are defined as Trusted, Transparent & Innovative. Rosconn is trusted by landowners and professional advisers to maximise land values. The group is transparent, delivering a world class customer service that capitalises landowner’s financial gain, and by pushing the boundaries of creativity, Rosconn is innovative, always delivering solutions not problems.

Daniel Hatcher Planning Director

Rosconn’s passion and tenacious dedication to providing a level of service that is unrivalled means that you can trust us to deliver the best possible return for your land.

that want to experience an enjoyable journey. For us the proof is in the case studies and this is why we encourage any new enquiry to make contact with landowners that have travelled the Rosconn journey.” Rosconn currently have approximately. 4,000 plots at all stages of the planning system. Recent land sales include sites in Coleshill North Warwickshire, Heather North-West Leicestershire, and Belbroughton, Bromsgrove on behalf of its clients. Dan adds: “We have ambitious growth plans with a projected turnover of £10 million in four years, new staff and we are expanding our HQ in Stratford- upon-Avon town centre. Everyone says ‘you can trust me’ but you can trust Rosconn Strategic Land .”

The group works with all types of landowners from private individuals selling plots and charities, landed estates, trustees and farmers looking to maximise their financial return with the least complexity for them. Typically sites range in size from 20 to 500 properties, the largest site currently in the medium term portfolio being 350 units, with the average site being 125 units. Rosconn Group’s ethos and attention to detail makes them an ideal match for Cheltenham Club members, since that is our philosophy too. Dan continues: “We simplify the process for landowners. We are passionate in achieving the best return so they net the largest financial gain possible. Rosconn strives to be the ‘Go to’ land promotion company for landowners

How much is your land worth? If you are thinking of selling your land, Rosconn Strategic Land would be delighted to talk to you. For further information please visit www.rosconngroup.com

kalendar | feedback

Questions answered, hot tips and a fantastic prize to be won

AWORD IN OUR EAR

I n 2017 we asked for feedback on Kalendar , and where possible we have listened to your views, from including pricing on each raceday to expanding our focus on The Festival TM presented by Magners. Many of you got in touch with questions, from asking trainers for horses to follow to information on Cheltenham town itself. Included here are some of the answers.

MOREHOT TIPS Here are some of our top tips for picking a winner. Watch the winners – Find out which horses have won at the track. Take Native River, whose third to Sizing John in The 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup and second to Minella Rocco in the National Hunt Chase in 2016 indicated that he might take the hill once more. He duly did, outstaying Might Bite in a thrilling finish in 2018. Consider distance and ground – Presenting Percy, a decisive 10-length winner in the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase, had won in Ireland over three miles, on soft or heavy ground. When you add in the 2016 win at Cheltenham, it made sense to take the 5/2 on offer as the tapes went up. Keep an eye on the trainer – In 2017, Jonjo O’Neill plotted the success of Timeforwest who won three races in 10 days. Eagle-eyed racegoers noticed the multiple entries and clues, leading them to follow the horse and its route to the Winners Enclosure. Plain old luck – There’s nothing like picking a winner with meaning: like the redheads who won on Splash of Ginge in the BetVictor Gold Cup or the clergy who surely looked upwards as God’s Own came third in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at 40–1? Even more insight – Check out Festival Preview magazine, sent free to ticketholders who book before February 1, for more tips and behind-the- scenes gossip. Or purchase a ticket to The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse for The Festival Preview Evening, where racing experts will guide you through the fixture.

HOT TIPS Melissa Webb asked for tips on horses to look out for, so we asked our syndicate trainer Kim Bailey and head groundsman Ben Hastie for their views: Kim Bailey said: “I’ve recently purchased He’s No Trouble for The Cheltenham and South West Syndicate. This free mover glides across the ground. He’s one to keep an eye on. “We’ve also got Vindication, who was unbeaten last season. He’s grown and matured since this time last year, and I think he’s got a huge future; soft ground horse First Flow, who won three hurdle races on the trial; and Red River, who has won two hurdle races pretty impressively.”

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WIN Tickets to The Festival TM Presented by Magners

Ben Hastie said: “I love the French mare Laurina, who has won each race for trainer W P Mullins. Relegate is another horse that has performed really well on Irish turf for Mullins. He’s smart and will run a big race if making The Festival. “My final pick is Black Op who won at Aintree for trainer Tom George. This year, he placed second to Samcro in the Ballymore Classic Novices Hurdle on Ladies Day at The Festival.” END OF THE TRACK? Peter Hutton wanted to know what happens to horses after they have finished racing. Thanks to Grace Muir’s hard work, HEROS Charity (Homing Ex-Racehorses Organisation Scheme) was set up in 2006 to answer this question. HEROS took shape in the early 1990s, when owners and trainers asked Grace to rehome their racehorses. With a lifetime of horse and racing experience and knowledge, plus a range of excellent connections, she knew there was scope to give these horses a chance at a second career, be it in eventing, dressage, polo, show-jumping, hacks or as companions. Since she started the project, Grace and her team have successfully rehomed several hundred ex-racehorses. You can find out more information at heroscharity.org VISITOR INFORMATION Sarah Smith asked, ‘Can you tell us a bit more about Cheltenham? Where is good to go, eat, and how can I get around?’ For local information and hotel and bar recommendations, visitcheltenham.co.uk and SOGlos.co.uk are both good places to start. We like No. 131 for a post-racing drink, East India Café for a memorable curry (don’t leave it late, book your table now) and Starline Taxis for getting around (call 01242 250 250). For a good night’s sleep we suggest The Lucky Onion Group (theluckyonion.com), which owns No. 131, No. 38 The Park and The Wheatsheaf Inn. A little further afield there’s The Maytime Inn near Burford (themaytime.com) and the Lygon Arms in Broadway (lygonarmshotel.co.uk). Staying in Cheltenham is not essential. National Express serves a host of travel destinations, and we also charter a first-class train from Paddington. Details can be found at cheltenham.co.uk. And finally, if you want a Festival to remember, try our extraordinary new ‘Room with a view’ offer, including a night’s stay at the newly refurbished Frogmill Hotel, helicopter transfer to the course and Bentley transfer to Theatre@, our exquisite pan-Asian dining experience. Contact Emma on 01242 537 605 for more information.

WIN TWO CLUB TICKETS

TWO FINAL FLIGHT ENTRY WRISTBANDS £200 WORTH OF BETTING VOUCHERS For a day of your choice at The Festival™ presented by Magners PLUS! WIN a pair of Dubarry Boots!

To be in with the chance to WIN all you need to do is email cheltenham.reception@ thejockeyclub.co.uk and let us know if you could change one thing about Kalendar to make it better, what would it be? Tell us your name, address and contact telephone number.

For Data Protection purposes please note the data you enter as part of this competition will only be used in relation to this competition and not for marketing purposes. Terms and conditions Only one entry per person will be accepted. Competition open until Monday November 5 2018 at 10am. One lucky winner will be chosen at random from all entries received by the closing date of Monday November 5 at 10am and the winner will be notified by Friday November 9. Dubarry prize will be provided in the form of a voucher to the value of £500 to spend in one of the following three stores: Cheltenham, Dublin and London. This voucher will only be valid to use in our stores and not via stockists or online. Winners must claim their prize within six months. Full terms and conditions for our competitions can be found at cheltenham.co.uk

Kalendar 17

THE JOCKEY CLUB OWNERSHIP 2018 CHELTENHAM AND SOUTH WEST SYNDICATE

A UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE SYNDICATE FOR THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE THE HEART POUNDING EXCITEMENT OF JUMP RACING AND DREAM OF HAVING A FESTIVAL WINNER.

Our Trainers: Neil Mulholland, Nicky Henderson, Kim Bailey

Full membership of Cheltenham, Exeter, Warwick and Wincanton Racecourses An exclusive facility at The Festival TM A share in prize money won by the club’s horses Racing Manager App communications An opportunity to follow each of the horses owned by the club Organised stable visits and trips Exclusive events, updates, and newsletters SYNDICATE MEMBERSHIP

Syndicate Update Kim Bailey to train exciting prospect Hes No Trouble

“The Jockey Club team created a brilliant syndicate that delivered at so many different levels. We were looked after exceptionally well at the numerous social events and stable visits. We have enjoyed great hospitality and a friendly reception wherever the horses ran” Les Kerry MEMBERSHIPS ARE NOW ON SALE AND ARE PRICED AT £2950 FOR 2 YEARS. REWARDS4RACING POINTS MAY BE USED WHEN PURCHASING SYNDICATE MEMBERSHIP.

TO BE A PART OF THE UNIQUE SYNDICATE VISIT WWW.CHELTENHAM.CO.UK OR CALL LUCY ON 01242 537 674

cheltenham | syndicate membership

Fancy owning a share in a horse, but baulking at the cost involved? Joining our syndicate could be the perfect solution JOIN OUR SYNDICATE

FUN AND SUCCESS

Meet a member Thinking of joining a syndicate? It’s a great way to enjoy racing, says Cheltenham & South West member Les Kerry. He says: “It has surpassed my expectations while also enabling me to enjoy the unique experience of the Winners’ Enclosure. I have been National Hunt racing for many years and have always been passionate about The Cheltenham Festival. The Jockey Club Syndicate has taken that enjoyment to a whole new level.” Meet the trainers The syndicate is expecting big things over the next year thanks to its new crop of trainers. Neil Mulholland started training in 2008 and achieved 17 winners in his first season. His biggest success to date is Druid’s Nephew winning The Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Steeple Chase at The Festival in 2015. Kim Bailey has trained over 1,200 winners and achieved the magical “Big Three”: The Grand National (Mr Frisk) 1990, The Cheltenham Gold Cup (Master Oats) 1995 and The Champion Hurdle (Alderbrook) 1995. Kim will train the new syndicate’s first purchase, He’s No Trouble, Might Bite’s half-brother. Nicky Henderson is one of the most successful trainers ever at The Festival with 60 winners to date. He dominated the Champion Hurdle in the late 1980s with See You Then, and more recently he’s handled Sprinter Sacre, Bobs Worth, Long Run, Binocular and Altior.

aunched in October 2016, the Cheltenham & South West Syndicate is the first of its kind for The Jockey Club, and its members are no

as Jonjo O’Neil delivered three wins in 10 days with Timeforwest, and the gutting lows, as The Last But One crashed out at the last when looking to assert. But that is what being part of racing is all about, and joining a syndicate is a good place to start. With the added benefit of four-racecourse Memberships, The Jockey Club’s Cheltenham & South West Syndicate is a unique offering in Jump racing.

Below: Members of the Cheltenham & South West

Syndicate with Final Choice

strangers to the Winners’ Enclosure. The Last But One, Timeforwest and Final Choice, trained by Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O’Neill and Warren Greatrex respectively, notched up an incredible 11 wins from 46 runs, sending the syndicate all over the UK. There is something about being part of a syndicate – a first step into racing, watching your horses on the gallops, learning about their care – that really gets your heart racing. In 2017, members experienced the spine-tingling highs of a master at work,

For further information about the syndicate, using Rewards4Racing

points to purchase or Bond Holder discounts, please email Lucy Snell at Lucy.Snell@thejockeyclub.co.uk or telephone 01242 537 667.

Kalendar 19

This September sees the return of The McCoys, the Jockey Club Racecourses’ prestigious awards ceremony celebrating AND THE WINNER IS…

the best of the sport J ockey Club Jump Racecourses introduced even more glamour and excitement to the National Hunt calendar last year with the McCoys Jockey Club Jump Awards, a ceremony marking achievements at the group’s four South West racecourses, and named after legendary 20-time champion jockey Sir AP McCoy. After last year’s evening of laughter, live music and dancing, Alice Fox-Pitt, the event’s co-host, commented: “We should take the opportunity on nights like this to treasure what fun we have, how much we treasure our horses, and how much we enjoy going racing at the wonderful venues we get to go to.”

Sir AP McCoy took to the stage to announce the Judges’ Choice Award, sponsored by WO Lewis Badges, which requires a unanimous panel decision and in 2017 went to the Jessica Harrington-trained chaser Sizing John. “I cannot remember any horse winning the Irish Gold Cup, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Punchestown Gold Cup,” McCoy said. “From the perspective of a jockey, a trainer or an owner, Sizing John is a very deserving winner.” Scotland’s Randox Health Grand National winner, One For Arthur, took the Shloer-sponsored Horse of the Season award by virtue of winning Warwick’s Classic Chase ahead of

The black-tie ceremony highlighted feats from all levels of the sport, including horses, stable staff, jockeys, owners and trainers. Some of the categories are points-based and open to a public vote, while others are chosen by an expert panel. The inaugural McCoys, attended by 450 people, was held in The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse on September 29 2017, and the show will return there this year on Friday September 28. Performances on all Jockey Club racecourses will now be included for consideration.

20 Kalendar

cheltenham | the mccoys

2018MCCOYS This year’s awards categories are: •Leading Owner, sponsored by Bentley •Leading Trainer, sponsored by Beach Independent •Leading Jockey, sponsored by Brewin Dolphin •Horses of the Season, Novice Hurdler and Hurdler, sponsored by NAF •Horses of the Season, Novice Chaser and Chaser, sponsored by UBS •Judges Choice Award, sponsored by WO Lewis •Horse of the Season, sponsored by Shloer •Frequent Runner Award, sponsored by Equi-Trek •Pony Racing Achievement of the Season, sponsored by Winner Events •Stable Person of the Year, sponsored by Racing Post

his Aintree triumph. Co-owner Deborah Thompson said: “We hoped he might be a Saturday horse, but we never dreamt he could take us to events like this.” It’s likely this year’s panel will be considering Grand National and Glenfarclas Cross Country winner Tiger Roll, back-to-back Unibet Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D’Air and sensational Cheltenham Gold Cup star Native River for the accolade. In a poignant moment, the 2017 Horse Performance of the Season, sponsored by Rosconn Group, was awarded to the late Many Clouds, who made his final racecourse appearance in Cheltenham’s BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase. Trevor Hemmings’ racing manager Mick Meagher collected the award and recalled: “Many Clouds was a wonderful horse. The public loved him, we loved him, and what happened on that day was inexplicable. We ended up being just very proud of him.”

In 20 years there has only been one occasion when Seanie’s lorry failed to reach the course.” Other deserving recipients included JP McManus, who confessed to feeling “very honoured” when collecting last year’s award for owners with more than four horses, while the prize for those with three or fewer went to Colm Donlon and Adrian Doyle. Trainers are recognised too. Paul Nicholls received Leading Trainer for handlers with more than 40 horses, sponsored by Beach Independent and the Frequent Runner Award, backed by Equi-Trek. Nick Williams cemented his position as top trainer with fewer than 40 horses, while the equivalent winner for participation was awarded to Somerset-based Jeremy Scott. “An event like this crystallises thoughts about how important everybody’s role is in racing,” Scott said. Brewin Dolphin sponsored the Leading Jockey prizes, which went to Noel Fehily (professional), Harry Cobden (conditional) and Page Fuller (amateur). Racing Ride of the

•Racing Ride of the Season, sponsored by Natural Green

•Horse Performance of the Season, sponsored by Rosconn Group •Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Dodson & Horrell For more information please visit cheltenham. co.uk/the-mccoys

The Outstanding Contribution Award was given to Ollie McPhail. The former National Hunt jockey has worked tirelessly for Racing to School, offering thousands of young people a unique learning experience using the UK’s racecourses, trainers’ yards and studs. “I feel very privileged to do what I do and to be given the chance of a second career in racing, but it is all down to the goodwill of people in the industry, from staff to owners, and racecourses to trainers,” McPhail said modestly. Unsung heroes are also recognised by the Racing Post -sponsored Stable Person of the Year. The inaugural winner, Seanie Mulcaire, a former amateur rider with Phillip Hobbs, has continued to travel the yard’s horses for more than 20 years. Champion jockey Richard Johnson collected the award on Hobbs’ behalf, describing him as, “the most reliable and trustworthy employee.

Season, sponsored by Natural Green, and another from the expert panel, was handed to Adrian Heskin for a superb performance on Sir Valentino in the Haldon Gold Cup. Further horses receive due credit on points-based totals in NAF-sponsored novice hurdler and hurdler categories, as well as novice chaser and chaser prizes backed by UBS. Teenage sensation James Bowen became the first winner of the Pony Racing Achievement of the Season, sponsored this year by Winner Events. The last word goes to the man who gave his name to the ceremony. “It’s something I’m very honoured and grateful that the racecourse has decided to do,” said Sir AP. “If I was still riding, I’d love to win a McCoy.”

Kalendar 21

social shots | the mccoys

A veritable who’s who of jump racing turned out to celebrate last year’s McCoys

Top right: Ian Renton Middle left: JP McManus, Rachel and Alan King Middle right: Fergal O’Brien (far right), Sally Randell (second left) and guests Bottom left: Winners of Leading Chasers, Only Gorgeous (novice) and Dance Floor King Bottom right: Sir Anthony McCoy and Lady McCoy

22 Kalendar

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2018/19 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

UNDER £400 FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL 16 DAYS’ RACING INCLUDING FOUR DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL™

CALL 01242 513 014

For four months a year at Cheltenham, there is calm as the racecourse recuperates after another stunning season – the turf basks in the summer sunshine, the timbers in the fences are

checked and the team of ground staff work as hard as ever replacing divots, reseeding and making hurdles for the season ahead. Come October it’s all change, the wait is over, the horses

return, the racegoers roar and racing begins. Here, we look back on the 2017/18 season, where Champions were crowned and reflect upon the countless magnificent moments the season

at Cheltenham provides. We also look ahead to upcoming fixtures, as well as other exciting events held on racedays, all of which lead up to those four extraordinary days inMarch…

THE WAIT IS OVER

Kalendar 25

ONWITH THE SHOW

Get ready for an exciting season ahead as Cheltenham opens its doors for the first time since May to host The Showcase...

THE WAIT IS OVER and the Home of Jump Racing kicks off the season in style with The Showcase on October 26 and 27. The exciting two-day meeting sees a host of new racing recruits join the ranks – from trainers and jockeys to future equine stars – and sets the tone for what’s to come, leading all the way to The Festival TM presented by Magners in March. While sunshine is never guaranteed, fantastic racing certainly is. As the track is tested for the first time since May, spectators can expect to enjoy hair- raising action, returning friends and riveting rivalries on the track. With the Cheltenham team working hard to ensure the best horses grace the track, 2018 looks set to give last year’s sensational Showcase a run for its money. Last year’s thrilling meeting included

the unveiling of a new and improved steel and glass podium in the Winners Enclosure. But few could have envisaged the launchpad it was to provide for one of the Friday race winners. Black Corton ridden by Bryony Frost, and trained by Paul Nicholls, proved to be a match made in heaven, as they stepped up in class for the Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices’ Chase – one of the highlight races of the day. Despite losing his lead at the third-last, Black Corton was given a second chance when Sizing Tennessee fell, being left clear to win by 10 lengths. “We have struck a chord, but a horse like that is easy to ride,” said Frost. “When I first sat on him at Worcester, he was a little bit ‘oooh!’ over the fences but is now jumping around Cheltenham and doing

“This is what dreams are made of” Harry Stock

26 Kalendar

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