Watch the Coral-Eclipse live this weekend and enjoy the action from Britain’s first Group 1 “generation clash” of the season at Sandown Park.

At a glance

• Coral-Eclipse date: 4 July 2026
• Watch Coral-Eclipse on TV: ITV (FREE), Racing TV
• Watch Coral-Eclipse from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal – 75% Off

How to watch the Coral-Eclipse on TV

ITV will screen some of the action on Coral-Eclipse Day live and for free on ITV4 and ITVX from 1.30pm to 4.05pm on Saturday 4 July, while Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536) will broadcast via its subscription-based service.

ITV Racing will broadcast the first four races from Sandown Park (1.50pm, 2.25pm, 3pm and 3.35pm), which will include the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, while Racing TV will cover every race.

You don’t need an ITVX subscription to watch live racing – just an email address and a valid TV license. You can register for a free account or download the app to your mobile device.

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to secure your stream of the action from anywhere in the world.

What time is the Coral-Eclipse?

The Coral-Eclipse Stakes will run at 3.35pm and will be the fourth of seven races at Sandown Park on Saturday 4 July.

How to watch the Coral-Eclipse from anywhere

If you’re away from home and your normal coverage is geo-blocked, a VPN will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get an exclusive 75% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

Coral-Eclipse race times

What is the Coral-Eclipse?

The Eclipse Stakes was first run in 1886 and is named after Eclipse, the legendary 18th-century racehorse who won all 18 of his starts and appears in the pedigrees of an estimated 95% of all male thoroughbreds alive today. It is raced over 1m 1f 209y, which is equivalent to 2.002km.

The race has been sponsored by Coral since 1976, making it the longest-running Group race sponsorship in the world. It is also one of the most valuable summer races of the British racing calendar and attracts the world’s finest middle-distance champions.

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National Hunt trainer Ben Pauling describes eight-year-old gelding Harper’s Brook as something of an “enigma”, having dramatically pulled himself up to a near-walk in his previous three races – usually with victory in his sights.

In fact, he hadn’t won a race since November 2022 and they’ve tried every tactic in the racing manual.

But on Saturday (3 February), with some sympathetic cajoling from new jockey Ben Jones, the quirky gelding survived a drama-packed race and maintained his forward momentum just long enough to win Sandown Park’s Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase, much to the delight – and relief – of the team.

Groom Shannon Parker, who has looked after Harper’s Brook for the past two seasons, tells H&H she ended up in floods of tears after he finally crossed the line in front.

“Sometimes it’s hard to keep the faith with him, but he’s finally done it,” she says. “I couldn’t help myself but I actually cried – I think it was relief really because you still love him, but there’s all the frustration when he keeps coming second.”

Trainer Ben Pauling: “Harper’s Brook just says ‘I’m done!’”

The trainer says The Megsons’ son of Ask has always been one of the most talented horses on the yard.

“He showed that in his early career, but he’s becoming famous for being quite quirky,” says Ben Pauling.

“Getting his head in front across the line hasn’t necessarily been easy, but at Sandown things came in our favour. It’s not from lack of ability or tiredness that he stops, he just decides he’s done enough and says, ‘I’m done’. As a trainer, it’s an extraordinary feeling because you can’t do much about it. As a jockey, you are just a passenger.

“He has an effortless way of going about life, he’s a brilliant jumper, he has a massive stride and at home he’s a superb workhorse,” continues the trainer, who also won the Sandown bumper with Sixmilebridge that day.

“You don’t want a messy race, but ironically it might have kept him interested – the loose horse nearly knocked him for six at the Pond Fence, then he nearly fell at the second-last, but he travelled so well.

“Shannon gets a bit of stick on the yard for him, but she always sticks up for him. Hopefully he’ll win plenty more races when it falls right. Just don’t count your chickens before he’s crossed the line.”

“He’s a monkey and everyone gives me stick, but he’s a dream to ride”

Shannon says Harper’s Brook keeps everyone on their toes.

“He’s so big and beautiful but everyone knows when he’s around at home!” she says. “He jumps all over the shop when we’re riding out and sets everyone else off – it’s great fun for me! He’s a monkey and everyone gives me stick for him. But he’s a dream to ride, especially to canter, and he works so well, he doesn’t even need to try and I never carry a stick on him.

“But as soon as you push him, he goes backwards and jockey Ben Jones said he had to tell himself not to push him – which is so hard when the horse underneath you is turning inside out to stop!”

In his post-race analysis, Ben said, “I’ve never crossed the line so slowly in my life!

“We went a good old gallop and that strung us out, which probably did me a favour because I didn’t have anyone breathing down my neck and I got in a lovely rhythm,” he says. “I thought we were a goner when the loose horse came across us. It was a bit of a crawl up the home straight – I just wanted to hold on as long as I could.”

Shannon sums up: “He’s just such a character and you can’t not love him.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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Former Army officer Billy Aprahamian has dropped two stone to return to the saddle for another tilt at a prestigious race he won in 2018.

Billy, now a licensed trainer, will partner the Ben Pauling-trained Nestor Park in the Grand Military Gold Cup, sponsored by Army Sport, at Sandown tomorrow (26 January).

The prospect of shelling out for a new wardrobe was the driving force behind his decision to get back on board, and the historic race a perfect target.

The 33-year-old, who spent time in Belize and Thailand during his time as a lieutenant with the Irish Guards, won the 2018 edition aboard Baden for his former boss, Nicky Henderson. He last rode in the race in 2019, when he rode Carlos Du Fruitier for Mr Pauling.

“I haven’t ridden in it again as my mind has been focused elsewhere,” said Billy, who trains from his Northamptonshire base.

“To sit on Nestor Park and school him is pretty special, let alone going to ride him around Sandown Park, so I’m pretty excited.

“He schooled very well on Monday, but I think he is teaching me. He is a bonny little thing that is very forward going. He is a nice compact horse.

“If you look back through his form he is always there or thereabouts. He has been running in big handicaps this season and this is a completely different race.

“They will go that bit slower here and he should travel and jump confidently around there.”

Billy will also ride Nashville Nipper for Toby Lawes in the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle tomorrow.

“I’ve been riding out again since my horses started coming back in, around July time,” he said.

“I was getting too big for my clothes and I needed something to incentivise me to get back into them as I can’t afford new ones!

“I was 13st 9lbs in August so to get fit and ride again is great. It feels like I’m having my first point-to-point ride again.

“I’m down to 11st 5lbs now, but the weight loss hasn’t been too bad really because I thought about this race a long way in advance. I changed a few habits and here we are. I think I’m more excited for this race [the Grand Military Gold Cup] than ever before.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

With us getting well and truly into the nitty-gritty of the National Hunt season, we take a look back on what was a great weekend of racing from Sandown Park and Exeter. What’s more, it was the first weekend of racing since March when crowds have been welcomed back through the doors of racecourses, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Here are some great shots, taken by Bill Selwyn, which capture some up-and-coming superstars and well-established favourites battling it out over the past few days…

Politolgue and Harry Skelton are springheeled on their way to winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown Park. The nine-year-old Champion Chase winner is owned by John Hales and trained by Paul Nicholls.

Allmankind and Harry Skelton fly two out to win well in the Henry VIII Novice Chase. This Grade One win came in the same hour Harry won the Tingle Creek, marking a very successful afternoon for him. Allmankind is owned by former showjumping family Bill and Tim Gredley, and is a very exciting prospect for Dan Skelton’s stable.

Doing Fine (far side) and a cool Millie Wonnacott join Crosspark and Harry Skelton at the second last as the sun sets over Sandown in the London National Handicap Chase. Millie, who recently returned to the saddle after breaking vertebrae, got up to win this race on the 12-year-old, trained by Neil Mulholland and owned by the Neil Mulholland Racing Club.

The field pass small crowds at Exeter on Friday (4 December) for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic set in.

Findusatgorcombe and Bryony Frost en-route to winning the Devon Marathon at Exeter. This eight-year-old is owned by Phill Meaden and trained by Bryony’s father, Jimmy Frost.

Bold Plan and Sean Bowen (blue colours) at the open ditch on their way to winning the novices’ chase at Exeter, a shock result considering he beat the odds on favourite and much talked about The Big Breakaway. Bold Plan is owned by Mr and Mrs. William Rucker and trained by Evan Williams.

Continued below…

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Fifty Ball and Neil Houlihan are clear at the last to win easily in the novices’ handicap hurdle at Sandown. This five-year-old is owned by Steven Packham and is trained by Gary Moore.

Just one more of Politologue in full flight in the Tingle Creek…

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International heartbreaker Teddy The Shetland is spreading Christmas cheer by reenacting scenes from iconic festive films.

The diminutive Shetland stars in the advert for the Betfair Tingle Creek Christmas Festival, held at Sandown Park from 7 to 8 December.

The palomino pony dons some festive hats and rugs to replicate Elf and Home Alone before tugging at the heartstrings in an emotional portrayal of Love Actually.

Teddy takes on the role of Mark, played by actor Andew Lincoln in the 2003 Richard Curtis production, with a spaniel pal playing the role of Juliet, originally portrayed by Keira Knightley.

Teddy “works” the radio with his muzzle and sports the placards across his chest in a nod to the “to me, you are perfect” scene in which Mark declares his love for his best friend’s wife, Juliet.

The pony’s “day job” is as a therapy pony, visiting hospices, schools and nursing homes.

He has also participated in numerous charity events and campaigns as a mascot for Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony Charity. He is owned by Alice Goring, H&H amateur of the year 2017, who works full time in osteoporosis research.

No stranger to the limelight, Teddy has more than 108,000 Instagram followers and can often be found on the guestlist to society events, including the Global Champions Tour in London and the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.

Article continues below…

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Teddy the Shetland’s racing dreams come true in heartwarming video

The adorable Shetland takes a staring role in the short film as he imagines how it would feel to gallop

Teddy starred in the 2017 Tingle Creek advertising campaign, where the crisis of a double-booking with the farrier and a day at the races was avoided, meaning the pony’s racing dreams came true. He also played the part of a racehorse trainer vying for the championship title this spring ahead of the Bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown in April.

There are 10 entered for the Grade One feature race of this week’s festival, the Tingle Creek Chase.

The Nicky Henderson-trained star Altior heads the quality list of entries and is joined by Sceau Royal, Saint Calvados, Un De Sceaux, Min, Great Field, Special Tiara, God’s Own, Speredek and Gino Trail. The final declarations are at 10am on Thursday (6 December).

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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Two British racecourses are to play a video to commemorate the war horses and cavalry who lost their lives during World War I.

The video, called “100 years on – Remembering the horses of World War I” produced by Great British Racing, will feature historic equine images from the war and will be played at Ffos Las and Sandown Park racecourses on Sunday (11 November).

National hunt jockey Tom Scudamore said he will be thinking of the animals and men who fought, including his great grandfather Geoffrey Scudamore, who was a radio operator in the RAF during the Second World War: “It’s phenomenal that during those wars, men and women were willing to sacrifice their lives for the greater good. Some paid the ultimate price, for us to live our day-to-day lives, and it’s only right that we pay our respects this Sunday, 100 years on from World War I.”

Geoffrey Scudamore was a successful amateur rider before the war broke out. Geoffrey‘s plane was shot down and he spent two years in a prisoner of war camp, during which time their family had no idea where he was. Tom said his grandfather, the late jockey Michael Scudamore, shared the story with him and spoke of the tremendous courage of these young men.

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Tom added added that the contribution of horses during the First World War cannot be understated, especially with the horrors they had to face.

“I feel enormous respect for those horses. You can only have the strongest admiration for the people and animals that were in active service. That’s why racedays like Sandown and Ffos Las on Sunday are important.”

In recognition of 100 years since the end of the First World War, both racecourses will observe a two-minute silence at 11am before racing starts.

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Chasing superstar Cue Card has been retired and will not run his final race at Sandown Park on the closing day of the jump season (28 April).

His connections, owner Jean Bishop and trainer Colin Tizzard, have changed the plan for the popular 12-year-old gelding, deciding to call a day on his career which provided a rollarcoaster of emotions for racing fans over an eight-year period.

The decision emerged from team Tizzard this morning (Tuesday, 17 April) after Cue Card didn’t work to his full ability on the gallops. However, he will still parade for fans during Sandown’s finale.

“We’ve taken the decision this morning to retire Cue Card. He wasn’t working quite as well as he can and we didn’t want to take him to Sandown if we weren’t 100% happy with him,” the trainer’s son and assistant trainer, Joe Tizzard confirmed to Racing Post.

“We will still take him to Sandown to parade him and to celebrate a great career. He has been an incredible horse for us and now he can look forward to a new chapter in his life.”

Joe rode Cue Card to success in his early career, after the gelding made his racecourse debut in 2010. The pair went on to triumph at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival in the Ryanair Chase and win the 2013 Betfair Chase at Haydock, before Joe retired from the saddle.

The son of King’s Theatre became a much-loved horse among racing fans following his Betfair Chase and King George VI triumphs under his regular jockey Paddy Brennan, who described him as a “legend”.

“It’s been a rollercoaster with Cue Card. He’s a legend — I got on him quite late in his career and he’s given me some great days. I couldn’t have asked any more from him and it’ll be very hard to find another one,” said Paddy, paying tribute to the special gelding on The Jockey Club’s Love The Jumps podcast.

The jockey partnered Cue Card to six of his career wins, including two Grade One Betfair Chases and the 2015 King George VI Chase. The pair’s final run was at the Cheltenham Festival this March in the Ryanair Chase, in which Cue Card pulled up.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls or Teddy the Shetland — the race is on for the National Hunt champion trainer’s title.

A fun film released by Sandown Park racecourse follows the diminutive palomino Shetland as he makes a surprise entry at the top end of the championship league.

The viewer is taken on a tour of the pint-sized master’s top-class training facilities in Lambourn, as he watches his string trot around the arena before working on the gallops.

Dressed smartly in a Newmarket blanket and tweed flat cap, and sporting a pair of binoculars, Teddy looks every inch the part.

With work to be done, Teddy takes a quick trot around the yard before springing up the steps into his office to catch up on the latest racing news.

Champion jockey Richard Johnson, Nicky Henderson and Briony Frost are just a few of the famous names to praise the astonishing achievement of the extremely fluffy equine.

Article continues below…

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“It’s an astonishing story Rachael,” journalist Dave Yates explains to Racing UK presenter Rachael Casey.

“The scale of Teddy’s achievements is really hard to put into words, even the great Nicky Henderson has had to stand back in admiration.”

Reigning champion Nicky agreed.

“All of a sudden he is just winning everything, and I don’t know what we are going to quite do about him — this time last year we had never heard of him and now he is winning everything under our feet,” said the four-time champion trainer.

Briony added it would be “amazing” to be legged up for “Mr Teddy”.

“A serious privilege that would be,” she added.

The 2017/18 National Hunt Champion Trainer title will be awarded at the Bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park on 28 April.

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The popular chaser Cue Card will be retired after racing at Sandown Park’s bet365 Jump Finale Day on 28 April, following a career that has spanned an impressive eight years.

Colin Tizzard’s stable star, who is owned by Jean Bishop, will run in the Grade Two bet365 Oaksey Chase at the Surrey racecourse on the final day of the 2017/2018 National Hunt season.

The 12-year-old son of King’s Theatre became a much-loved horse among racing fans following his Betfair Chase and King George VI triumphs under his regular jockey Paddy Brennan, who described him as a “legend”.

“It’s been a rollercoaster with Cue Card. He’s a legend — I got on him quite late in his career and he’s given me some great days. I couldn’t have asked any more from him and it’ll be very hard to find another one,” said Paddy, paying tribute to the special gelding on The Jockey Club’s Love The Jumps podcast.

The jockey partnered Cue Card to six of his careers wins, including two Grade One Betfair Chases and the 2015 King George VI Chase.

Continued below…

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Colin’s son, Joe Tizzard, rode Cue Card to success in his early career, after the gelding made his racecourse debut in 2010. The pair went on to triumph at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival in the Ryanair Chase and win the 2013 Betfair Chase at Haydock, before Joe retired from the saddle.

“I think they’ve made the right decision to go to Sandown for the Grade Two,” added Paddy. “Everyone will know it’s his last run and he deserves to go out on a high. It’s nice the public will know it’s going to be his last run and they can say goodbye to him.”

The pair’s previous run was at the Cheltenham Festival in March in the Ryanair Chase, which saw Cue Card pulled up.

“From the minute he jumped off at Cheltenham it wasn’t happening. The ground was very soft but for him it rode heavy,” reflected Paddy. “He just lacked a bit of energy on the day — I think maybe the race at Ascot [in the Betfair Ascot Chase] took a bit more out of him than we took in to account for. However, he’s had a good break and there’s no better man than Colin Tizzard to get him to Sandown in good form.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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The shared challenges faced by racehorses and soldiers as they make the transition to “civilian” life are to be highlighted in a special parade at Sandown Park today (Friday 9 March).

Ex-racehorses Barbers Shop and Monkerhostin are to put in an appearance in the paddock ahead of the 155th running of the Grand Military Gold Cup.

Both horses are ambassadors for the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) charity, as well as having connections to both the military and Sandown itself.

Monkerhostin’s career highlight was his 2008 victory at the track the Bet365 Gold Cup (pictured top).

His retirement from the track a year later coincided with Royal Marine Sergeant Major George Beilby’s return from his last tour of Afghanistan.

It was while visiting the gallops of trainer Philip Hobbs that Sergeant Major Beilby mentioned to his friend Johnson White, who works as the trainer’s assistant, that he was looking for a new riding horse and “Monkey” was recommended.

“I started riding him and I immediately began to identify that our lives were not that dissimilar. I have made this analogy before, but racehorses are in many ways like soldiers,” explained Sergeant Major Beilby.

“They live very disciplined lives and when they are asked to perform they are expected to give everything, yet they have arguably the least to gain from what they do and the most to lose.

“And at the end of their careers it can be quite difficult making that transition from out of racing and equally that also applies to soldiers, so I identified with him and the little issues and problems he was having in adjusting to life after racing.”

As the pair became more familiar with each other, something else became apparent.

“What I did notice though, and I’ve ridden lots of horses, is that there was something unique about Monkerhostin. Every time I went for a ride on him, I felt better, I felt like I had been on a bit of journey. And not only that, he seemed to come back feeling better also.”

Based on his experience with “Monkey”, the marine says he would recommend a former racehorse to any competent, confident rider.

“I believe the qualities I have that have helped me become a successful soldier, will also make me a success when the day comes and I become a civilian. And similarly, the qualities that make a racehorse good at what they do will also make them good in another job.

“They are versatile, they are adaptable, they can do so many other things and I think there is probably a person for every thoroughbred out there.”

Barbers Shop, who will be parading alongside “Monkey” at the meeting, epitomises the potential ex-racehorses can have in their new career.

Owned by The Queen, patron of the Grand Military Steeple Chase committee, the Nicky Henderson-trained bay won eight times on the track, including a victory in the Listed Future Stars Chase at Sandown Park in 2008.

Following his retirement, he went on to become a superstar in the show ring, taking a string of accolades for producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable, including three wins at Royal Windsor, and the RoR final at Hickstead in 2013.

Continued below…

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Di Arbuthnot, chief executive of RoR, said: “George’s story about his journey with Monkerhostin is a powerful and poignant one and testimony to the therapeutic abilities of a horse, particularly thoroughbreds.

“At RoR, we have already provided a horse to Horseback UK, the Scottish-based charity founded in 2009 with the aim of assisting wounded servicemen and women by introducing them to horses.”

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Drivers close to Sandown Park racecourse were faced with an unusual sight on Friday (8 December), when a riderless horse escaped on to the road during a race.

Mustmeetalady was being ridden by James King in an amateur riders’ race. The Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding unseated his jockey at the first fence and continued for a circuit minus a rider, before bursting through two sets of plastic running rails and the racecourse boundary, eventually finding his way on to the road.

The seven-year-old was caught a mile and a half away on the cricket pitch at West End.

The racecourse, near Esher in Surrey, will now investigate whether more could be done to prevent a repeat of the incident, with clerk of the course Andrew Cooper adding he had never seen one like it before.

“We saw him go and our estates manager Craig Williamson was first on the scene closely followed by one of our vets,” Andrew told the Racing Post. “We sent one of our horse ambulances to pick him up. The horse has a little nick but that may have happened in the tumble anyway.

“I’ve never known a horse get out there. There is a racecourse rail on the outside of the bend which he has gone through. He then found the service road down the side of the course.

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“At this point there is a big set of vehicle gates, which were closed, but either side of that there is a small section of white railing, which he got through. I think we will look to make the outer barrier more secure.”

The Diane Carr-owned son of Mustameet has had 17 runs under Rules, with three wins under his belt. Friday’s opening race was won by 13-year-old seasoned chaser Pete The Feat, who is trained by Charlie Longsdon.

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A cheeky Shetland has proved size is no barrier to prevent him from achieving his dreams in an adorable video.

Teddy, who has more than 55,000 Instagram followers, is promoting Sandown’s Tingle Creek festival as the racecourse’s jump season ambassador.

The fun video follows the pint-sized pony as he imagines what it would feel like to gallop down the turf to the roar of the crowd.

But a spanner is thrown into the works when Teddy’s owner double-books his trip to the races with the farrier’s visit.

However luck is on Teddy’s side and a last minute cancellation by Phil the farrier means he can go to Sandown with his equine friends.

The camera follows Teddy as he dons a smart Newmarket-style rug and is cheerfully greeted by punters, asked for tips and finally meets up with two other ponies to watch the action.

The Tingle Creek Festival (8-9 December) is one of the major pre-Christmas fixtures in the National Hunt calendar.

The Saturday features two Grade One races – the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase and Betfair Tingle Creek Chase.

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He has been spotted inspecting the fences and pacing around the pre-parade ring at Sandown.

Teddy also joined fellow Shetland Doris and members of the Metropolitan Police’s mounted section in central London earlier this month to promote Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity as Olympia’s charity of the year.

Teddy is owned by Horse & Hound’s amateur rider of the year Alice Goring, who is the Willberry Wonder Pony charity’s scientific advisor.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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Plans have been submitted for the world’s first horse-themed mini-golf course at Sandown Park.

The Sandown Park Golf Centre has applied to Elmbridge Borough Council for a 12-hole mini golf course based on a day at the races.

“All the holes will have a racing theme,” said Nick Jones, director of Sandown Park Golf Centre, which is located in the centre of the racecourse.

Some of the holes will have mounds of astro turf with horseshoe shaped tunnels; others will be themed around a parade-ring, winner’s enclosure, starting gates and other racing fixtures.

The course is being designed by City Golf Europe, which has built pirate and safari-themed adventure golf courses – but never a horse-related course.

“There are many courses in the UK looking at putting in an adventure golf course. We’re embedded in racing so thought we might as well go down this route,” said Jones.

“If we get planning permission we hope to open at the end of June,” he added.

The new course is hoped to encourage families with young children and teenagers to pick up a golf club.

“We are looking at putting up fibreglass horses for the children to sit on and having mock stables with horse’s heads looking out. It’s just a bit of fun,” said Jones.

If permissions is granted the plans need to have the final approval from the Centre’s landlord, The Jockey Club.

The Sandown Park Golf Centre already has three nine-hole courses in the middle of the racecourse in Esher, Surrey, plus a 33-bay driving range, soft play centre and café and bar area.

Golfers are not allowed on the courses on racedays.

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After dominating the sport for two decades, champion jockey AP McCoy rode his last race at Sandown Park on Saturday (25 April).

“I always dreamed of getting out while I was still performing well. I’m going to miss what I do… What I did,” he said. “The most emotional moment was riding in front of the stands [after the last race] with the people clapping and cheering.

“I almost shed a tear then. I almost shed a tear going out for the race, too, but I quickly pulled down my goggles.”

AP had two rides on his final afternoon in front of a sell-out crowd of 18,000 at the Esher racecourse. He began by finishing third on the Paul Nicholls-trained Mr Mole, in a Grade 1 race named in the jockey’s honour, the Bet365 AP McCoy Celebration Chase.

His last ever ride came on the Jonjo O’Neill runner Box Office in the Bet365 Handicap Hurdle, when he again finished third. Both horses were owned by his loyal supporter JP McManus, in whose familiar silks AP won the Grand National in 2010.

“It’s a great privilege to wear the green and gold colours, which is why today had to be how it was,” he said.

He retires on a career total of 4,348 winners and he bows out having been crowned champion jockey for the 20^th year in succession.

“Enjoy every moment because it goes much too quick,” he said to his weighing room colleagues, who all lined up in a guard of honour for the 20-time champion before the presentation of the championship trophy.

In honour of his achievements and the contribution McCoy has made to the sport, the silverware was decommissioned by British Racing and presented to him to keep permanently.

JP McManus added his own tribute after AP’s final race: “I’m a great admirer of his, not just as a jockey but as a man. He has the respect of everybody.”

Read more about McCoy’s record-breaking career and don’t miss next week’s Horse & Hound (out Thursday, 30 April) for the full story and reaction to his retirement.

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Record-breaking jump jockey AP McCoy will make his final racetrack appearance this afternoon (Saturday 25 April) when he rides at Sandown.

A bumper crowd of fans is expected to be at the Surrey track to see the popular star of the sport ride one last time.

The racecourse has totally sold out in all enclosures — and there will be no tickets at the gate for those who had hoped to come along.

AP is due to ride Mr Mole in the 3.15 and Box Office in the 4.25.

After nearly two decades at the top of the sport, AP announced at Newbury on 7 February that he planned to retire at the end of the season.

“I want to go out at the top, and as champion jockey. I want to go out while I still enjoy riding,” he said.

It was a shock revelation, and a decision he said had been made following discussions with owner JP McManus and his long-standing agent Dave Roberts.

“Time waits for no man in sport and it’s not going to wait for me,” he added. “I will really miss it. I love riding, I love the thrill of it and I’ll never find anything to replace that buzz but I’m aware in sport you can’t keep going forever.”

AP, who turns 41 on 4 May, has won more than 4,300 races and was the first jockey to be named BBC Sports Personality of the year when he won in 2010.

Since he revealed his plans to retire crowds have been piling into racecourses to see him in action.

The jockey will also pick up his 20th consecutive championship title on Saturday.

“We are thrilled to have such a bumper crowd at Sandown Park to not only celebrate the end of a fantastic jump season but also the phenomenal career of 20 times champion jockey, AP McCoy. He will be honoured during the end of season awards and throughout the afternoon. It is a real privilege for Sandown Park to be a part of this historic day,” said Rupert Trevelyan of the Jockey Club.

All the racing will be live on Channel 4 from 1pm.

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As yet another corner of Britain was covered in snow last night, it seemed only right that we celebrate (or commiserate, depending on your point of view) by sharing some of your snowy tweets.

From racing to hunting and everything in between, the snowy scenes sure do make for a great photo opportunity — although getting anything done can prove a problem.

Be sure to make the most of the wintery surroundings on camera now though — as excitingly (and quite terrifyingly) it’s only 92 days until the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and a little over 16 weeks until the day of the Investec Derby on the Epsom Downs.

Fingers crossed that by this time on 10 March, all of the white stuff will be replaced by bright sunshine when the Cheltenham Festival kicks off

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If you have any pictures you would like to add to this gallery, simply Tweet them to us at @horseandhound

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HorseBack UK is the official charity for the 2014 Blair Castle International Horse Trials. The charity is based in Aberdeenshire and works with wounded veterans by introducing them to horses to help improve their rehabilitation, mobility and confidence.

“This partnership is the perfect way for us to raise awareness of the good that can be done through introducing injured servicemen and women to horses and with the very best athletes from the sport of eventing competing at Blair Castle we will be able to build on this association,” said Jock Hutchison from HorseBackUK.

Suregrow is to sponsor the Five Fence Challenge at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this year.

“Suregrow is delighted to be a part of HOYS 2014,” said Jonathon Cox from Suregrow. “The Show will provide an excellent platform to promote our product to a wider audience and illustrate the benefits of Suregrow to paddocks and, of course, horses and ponies.”

Dodson & Horrell has extended its sponsorship of the British Showjumping National Amateur & Veteran Championships for a third year.

“These Championships allow us to reach a wider audience,” said Sam Horrell, marketing director at Dodson & Horrell. “A large bulk of our feed is bought by the grass roots/amateur horse owner so we feel it is crucial to support them at many levels. This competition gets us up close to some of our core users and gives us the opportunity to share essential nutritional advice and technical knowledge as well as inspiring the talents of horse and rider”.

Kingsland AS has announced that it will start sponsoring American showjumper Reed Kessler from the beginning of March.

“I am excited and honored to be joining the team of Kingsland sponsored riders. Kingsland products are known around the world for quality, style and performance. I look forward to exposing more people in the USA to this great brand,” said Reed Kessler.

William Hill is to sponsor Imperial Cup Day at Sandown Park in March.

“We are delighted to be sponsoring Imperial Cup Day at Sandown Park including the prestigious feature race, The William Hill Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle,” said Kate Miller, PR director at William Hill. “With Cheltenham just around the corner, everyone is full of anticipation with what will happen in the days to come. William Hill will be providing a bonus of £100k to the horse that wins the William Hill Imperial Cup on Saturday 8th March and then goes on to run and consequently win any race the following week at Cheltenham.”

London jeweller Boodles will sponsor the Leading Jockey Award at The Festival this year.

“I am delighted that Boodles are partnering with the Leading Jockey Award for this year,” said Carey Buckler from Jockey Club Racecourses. “Although they are previous sponsors within racing, they have not partnered with Cheltenham before and I’m sure that they will find it very rewarding.”

Dressage rider Matt Frost is a new ambassador for Woof Wear.

“Matt is a very professional and talented rider with a charismatic and enthusiastic personality,” said a spokesman from the company. “He will be a superb ambassador for the Woof Wear Brand and will also assist in the development and testing of new products for the dressage market.”

London racecourses are testing the use of metric weights and distances during the Olympics to make the sport more accessible to younger adults and overseas visitors.

Metre markers are being featured as well as furlong markers at Kempton Park, Epsom Downs and Sandown Park, while the weights of the jockeys are being measured in kilos, alongside traditional stones and pounds.

The idea was developed by Racing For Change, a body created to make Britain’s horseracing industry more attractive to the widest possible audience.

It believes that Imperial measures confuse some younger adults, particularly as the majority of the UK population and the world now uses metric measures.

Rod Street of Racing For Change said: “Racing’s unique language is an asset and part of its heritage and appeal, but we do think that the use of both metric and imperial measures will help us to explain the sport better to our international visitors and younger adults.

“Imperial measures don’t mean a great deal to kids and tourists, so it makes sense to test the use of metric information.”

A spokesman for Racing for Change added: “We’ve had positive and negative feedback. Younger adults see it as long overdue while a few senior citizens are horrified!”

For more information visit www.racingforchange.co.uk.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Racing’s National Hunt champions will be paraded at Sandown tomorrow (28 April) to celebrate the end of the jump racing season.

The parade will include the Paul Nicholls-trained Neptune Collonges, winner of the 2012 Grand National.

He will be joined by stable-mates Big Buck’s and Kauto Star.

Big Buck’s made history at this year’s Cheltenham Festival by winning four consecutive World Hurdles. And earlier this month at Aintree, he set a new record for the number of consecutive wins by a National Hunt horse, collecting his 17th win in a row.

While Kauto Star became the only horse to have won the King George VI Chase five times in December 2011.

“This is a chance for racegoers to see the champions of the season parading in their winning rugs with their trophies, and to applaud their success,” a spokesperson for Sandown told H&H.

“It’s a chance to get up close and personal with the horses.”

Parading from Nicky Henderson’s yard will be Bob’s Worth, Sprinter Sacre, Finian’s Rainbow, Riverside Theatre and Simonsig.

And popular Cheltenham winner Hunt Ball, trained by Keiran Burke and owned by Anthony Knott, will also be appearing.

It will start at 12.30pm in the parade ring and will be followed by the The Sandown Park Awards ceremony at 12.45pm.

The day continues with a combination of Flat and jumps races – including the Bet265 Gold Cup.

For more information visit: www.sandown.co.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Military jockeys from all three services will take part in the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown on 9 March.

The 16 jockeys – many of whom have recently returned from Afghanistan – include a Red Arrows pilot and a Royal Marine Commando.

For many it will be the first time they have competed on such a demanding course.

Captain Rawdon-Mogg from the Household Cavalry Regiment has spent six months in the Nar-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province and will be riding “Chief Buccaneer” in the race.

He said: “Before I started this training I had no idea of the strength and fitness required to be a jockey. But I’m really looking forward to competing on the day.”

Seamus Mullins has been training military jockeys at his stables in Wilsford for 25 years.

He said: “They are all on a very steep learning curve but the main thing is that they feel confident enough to enjoy the day at Sandown and not let their Regiment’s down.”

The Grand Military Gold Cup offers servicemen and women the unique opportunity to ride at one of Britain’s most prestigious National Hunt racecourses.

Jockey representative on the Gold Cup race committee Major Erica Bridges said: “You need a lot of courage, fitness, and strength to control a powerful racehorse – all the qualities that you look for in a soldier on the battlefield in Afghanistan.”

For more information email richardwilling@mediaops.army.mod.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A battery of 70 soldiers, complete with guns and equipment, is to march from the centre of Esher, Surrey, to Sandown Park racecourse next Friday (18 February) in time for the Royal Artillery Steeplechase.

The soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Artillery will leave Esher Police Station at 10.30am before proceeding down the High Street and into Sandown Park.

They will be accompanied by the mounted King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the 42-man strong Royal Artillery Band, local cadets and veterans.

Last year the 2010 Heroes Parade was well supported and organisers are expecting an even larger crowd this year.

The feature race of the afternoon is the Royal Artillery Gold Cup before which injured serving soldiers will demonstrate their riding skills.

Only horses that are owned or leased by serving, or past, members of the Royal Artillery may run. Jockeys must also be amateurs who are past or present members of the Armed Services.

People are urged to turn out to show their appreciation for the courage, dedication and professionalism of our Armed Forces.

For more information visit: www.sandown.co.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Top jockeys helped raise almost £2,000 for charity recently — by swapping their racehorses for spacehopppers at Sandown Park.

Getting into the spirit of Comic Relief’s “Do something funny for money” H&H columnist Robert “Choc” Thornton, Timmy Murphy, Sam Thomas and Tom Scudamore along with Channel 4 presenters Alice Plunkett and John Francome bounced their way around the paddock before the racing began on Imperial Cup day (7 March).

Team Scudamore and Thomas were the winners, followed by Choc and Timmy — while John and Alice brought up the rear.

During the race spacehoppers, contestants and red noses went flying — but a total of £1,875 was raised for Comic Relief.

Sandown also welcomed over 7,000 racegoers on gates on Imperial Cup day — an increase of over 20% on last year’s meeting.

David Mackinnon, managing director of Sandown Park commented, “We have had an excellent couple of days racing, with fantastic action on the track, lots of entertainment for our customers and all enjoyed by a significant increase in the number of people compared to last year.”

For further information visit: www.sandown.co.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Four racecourses and one racehorse trainer lie within the new foot-and-mouth (FMD) surveillance zone. But all can continue with business as usual, provided they carry out appropriate biosecurity measures.

Racing continued at Kempton Park last night — just miles from the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Egham, Surrey — but every car and horsebox coming onto the racecourse was disinfected.

Racing will also continue at Ascot, Sandown Park and Windsor — with vehicle disinfection also a priority.

One trainer lies within the FMD 10km surveillance zone, but the British Horseracing Authority has allowed him to continue to have runners, provided he carries out “appropriate biosecurity measures” on his horses before they leave the yard.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now