Horses for Causes racing club celebrates start of jumps season
Charitable racing club Horses for Causes is celebrating the start of the national hunt racing season with an open day at trainer Richard Phillip’s Cotsworld yard on Friday (17 October).
Horses for Causes is a new racing club set up offering members the chance to have a share in a racehorse, at the same time as giving money to charity.
The club currently supports Sparks — a charity funding medical research for children.
Sparks spokesman Paul Connew told H&H: “We’re delighted to be involved with Horses for Causes. It is a fun racing club, yet with serious underlying purposes.
“Sparks has a rich sporting heritage and there are many illustrious racing names who are actively involved with our charity — including AP McCoy, Richard Dunwoody, Sir Peter O’Sullevan, Mick Fitzgerald and Frankie Dettori.”
Horses for Causes now has three horses in training. Mr Mackey, who is based with Richard Phillips; Stage Acclaim, trained by Rod Millman; and a new acquisition — Sparks Alive.
Sparks Alive is an unraced 2-year-old filly by Irish 2000 Guineas winner Indian Haven. She is trained in Newmarket by David Elsworth, trainer of the legendary late Desert Orchid.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The day will begin at Richard Phillip’s Stow-on-the-Wold yard where guests can watch Horses for Causes’s Mr Mackey on the gallops, followed by a yard tour and lunch.
Guests will then go onto the opening day of The Showcase at Cheltenham racecourse, the first fixture at the course of the new season.
Advanced booking is needed. Tel: 0207 3400670
www.sparks.org.uk
www.horsesforcauses.com
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
