Discounted tickets for Barbury Point-to-Point

Written by Tony Millett on 08 November 2017.

Racegoers are being given the chance to buy discounted tickets for the Point-to-Point Owners' & Riders' Association meeting at Barbury Racecourse on Sunday, November 26.

The organisers have made two hundred e-tickets available at a price of £8 each - a saving of £2 on the gate price.

To buy tickets go to this web address and enter PPORA1 in the Voucher box and click Add Voucher.

The first of a scheduled six races is 12noon.

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Newbury Racecourse: Talaayeb faces seven rivals in Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial EBF Stallions Stakes  

Written by Tony Millett on 13 June 2017.

Newbury Racecourse presents an eight-race card on Thursday (June 15), with the highlight being the £50,000 Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial EBF Stallions Stakes over a mile and a quarter for three-year-old fillies.

One of the eight runners Talaayeb (Owen Burrows/Jim Crowley) sets the standard after her excellent fourth behind Winter over a mile in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 7 - only her second career start.

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With new research announced, Women in Racing calls for action on gender diversity in British horseracing

Written by Tony Millett on 17 May 2017.

The first research ever undertaken into diversity in British horseracing has shown there is a need to develop a proper diversity agenda within the sport.  The research was unveiled at Women in Racing's sixth AGM at York Racecourse (May 17.)

The research - supported by funding from the Racing Foundation - was carried out by the Centre for Diversity Policy Research & Practice at Oxford Brookes University and Women in Racing.   

The report - titled Women’s representation and diversity in the horseracing industry - found that while progress is being made at all levels within horseracing on gender diversity, there are serious issues for women working and involved within the sport.

These issues include:
 *   Lack of career development opportunities (at all levels including jockeys), progression and support;
 *   There are examples of discriminative, prejudice and bullying behaviour;
 *   Barriers and lack of representation at senior and board level; and
 *   Negative experiences of work-life balance and pastoral care.

The research’s most immediate recommendation is to establish an independent diversity steering body to support British horseracing in developing a deeper understanding of its diversity.  In the longer term a steering group would set industry-wide, voluntary diversity targets and effective monitoring.  

The research also sets out further actions to help improve gender diversity in leadership roles and addressing some of the career barriers women face within the sport at all levels - including mentoring and the positive impact of visible role models.

Women in Racing had recognised the need for this research and most other sports, particularly Olympic disciplines, have a diversity agenda and monitoring mechanisms in place, as well as independent reporting, which have all be developed following similar research. Women in Racing have confirmed its commitment and desire to work with British horseracing to act on the findings and recommendations.

The research was carried out by Professor Simonetta Manfredi, Professor of Equality & Diversity Management with researcher and lecturer Kate Clayton-Hathway.  It was the brainchild of the founder and honorary president of Women in Racing, Sally Rowley-Williams, who commented:   

“This is a ground-breaking piece of research for British horseracing. It sets out clear recommendations which the sport needs to act on. As the sport’s governing body, the BHA is best placed to lead on progressing the diversity agenda, but it is for all in the sport to play their part."

 "Women in Racing will do all it can to facilitate change and make sure this research is just the starting point for taking forward the diversity agenda within British horseracing."

The full report can be read here.

FOOTNOTE: The Racing Foundation was established in January 2012 to oversee the distribution of funds to charitable causes within racing following the sale of the Tote.

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Eventing: Britain's Zara Tindall takes third place at Rolex Kentucky - will Barbury see her & High Kingdom in July?

Written by Tony Millett on 01 May 2017.

Zara Tindall - riding High Kingdom - has taken third place in America's prestigious Rolex Kentucky four-star eventing competition.

With penalties of 46.6, the pair were in sixteenth place at the end of the dressage discipline.  But they followed on day two with a clear cross country round inside the time lifting them into third place. On the final day of the competition they kept that place with a clear round in the show jumping.

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Roger Charlton trained Withhold's 'demolition job' to win the Cesarewitch

Written by Tony Millett on 15 October 2017.

For the four-year old Withhold to win a classic like Newmarket's Betfred Cesarewitch Handicap (October 14) is, says his trainer Roger Charlton, "Something very special."

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Local jockey Trevor Whelan just misses a win on his second Flat ride

Written by Tony Millett on 19 May 2017.

Jockey Trevor Whelan, who is retained by local National Hunt trainer Neil King at Burderop near Barbury Castle, is trying his hand at the Flat during the summer.

Whelan, who is 28, began his career in Ireland as an apprentice.   He is best known for his partnership with the long-distance hurdler Lil Rockerfeller - trained by Neil King.

He told the Racing Post: "I'm naturally quite light and can ride at 9st 6lbs.  Neil King has a couple of Flat horses and I'm trying to keep busy over the summer."  He has also been riding out for George Baker and Brendan Powell.

On Thursday evening (May 18) he rode Alcatraz in a one-and-a-half mile handicap at Newmarket and came within a head of winning - just missing out to Hermann ridden by Sean Levey for Marlborough trainer Richard Hannon.

Five-year-old bay gelding Alcatraz is trained at the Manton Estate's Barton Yard by George Baker who described the result as an 'agonising second'.  Alcatraz has finished second in four of his last six starts, but has only won once in his nineteen Flat races.  He goes on any ground, the soft ground was said to be a plus for him.   

Writing in his blog, George Baker was honest enough about the horse's temperament: "This horse has been called a few names, even by those pretty close to home, but he definitely tried hard last night. He had every opportunity to shirk the issue, but battled all the way to the line."

Baker was, however, very impressed by Trevor Whelan's 'peach of a ride': "Trevor giving this Flat 'gig' a go through the summer. And, on the evidence of last night's stylish effort, he will be riding plenty of winners."

Someone to keep an eye on as the Flat season proceeds.

There's profile of Trevor Whelan in the marlboroughequestrian.news archive.

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Barbury trained Full Trottle takes Cheltenham Hunters' Chase

Written by Tony Millett on 06 May 2017.

Laura Thomas with Full TrottleEight year-old Full Trottle - trained at Barbury by Laura Thomas - ran well to take the GX Landrover Open Hunter's Chase at Friday's evening meeting at Cheltenham (May 5.)

He was ridden by Mr Jonathan Bailey who has partnered him this season - mainly in point-to-points - to win six races including an Open Hunters' Chase at Ludlow on April 3.

The prestigious two-and-a-half mile Cheltenham chase had attracted a field of fourteen - but seven were pulled up during the race.

Irish bred Full Trottle - a somewhat tricky character - had been taken down to the start early.  Jonathan Bailey found a midfield place for him in the early stages of the race. They took the lead at the thirteenth fence and held on well to win by four lengths from Good Egg - trained and ridden by Miss Sarah Rippon.

Full Trottle is owned by Laura Thomas' father - Norman Thomas.

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‘Willberry does Badminton’: charity preview evening raises a huge sum

Written by Tony Millett on 19 April 2017.

With less than a month to go before Badminton Horse Trials, the Vale of the White Horse Hunt hosted a Badminton Preview evening (April 11), at Wick Bottom Barn, Rockley, in aid of the 'kicking cancer' charity, Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony. £18,000 was raised.

A celebrity panel including Sir Mark Todd, Eric Winter, Spencer Sturmey, Tim and Jonelle Price, Jonty Evans, Ben Hobday, Kitty King, Tom McEwen, Lissa Green and local young rider Danni Dunn talked about their Badminton dreams.

The sell-out audience of 250 people heard Badminton’s new course designer, Eric Winter, explain that he hoped to create a Badminton course that was big and bold and in keeping with natural features in Badminton Park.  Sir Mark Todd said that nothing beat the feeling of driving through the gates of Badminton Park at the beginning of the competition.

The two young riders, Lissa Green, daughter of six times winner Lucinda Green, and Danni Dunn, are both due to compete at Badminton for the first time this May.

The event was hosted by Susie and Konrad Goess-Saurau. Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony was set up in memory of the young event rider Hannah Francis who died from bone cancer in August 2016.

After racing at Cheltenham on Thursday (April 20) the Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Race will be run in aid of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony charity.

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