Racing for charity

25 October 2001

Don’t miss the Horse & Hound Charity Raceday at Wincanton this weekend

Celebrities and racing enthusiasts alike will be heading to Wincanton this Sunday (28 October) for the Horse & Hound Charity Raceday, to raise funds for the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDIRF) and International Spinal Research Trust.

The six national hunt plus one flat race card starts at noon with the Horse & Hound celebrity horse and rider parade. Participants including Desert Orchid and the recently retired flat jockey Ray Cochrane.

Racing starts at 1.50pm and features the Barbara King Memorial Desert Orchid Chase, for which a good field is expected.

The day ends with celebrities in the saddle in the Dextra Lighting Celebrity Flat Race at 4.50pm. Riders will include supermodel Jodie Kidd, her polo-playing brother Jack, Peter and Tom Scudamore and Walter Swinburn.

The MDIRF is organising a silent auction with promises including a golfing day with John Francome, mornings on the gallops with John Gosden and Mick Channon, numerous holidays and weekend breaks, original Matt and Tickner cartoons and nominations to a number of top stallions including Karinga Bay and Silver Patriarch.

Bids may also be made by non-racegoers by phone in advance (tel: 01823 481232) or on the day up until 4pm.

There is also a chance to take advantage of special subscription offers to Horse & Hound and pick up a bottle of Balvenie whisky.

Wincanton racecourse is well signposted off the A303. Gates open at 11am. For details, call the box office (tel: 01963 32344).

For full story, including more details of lots in the silent auction, see this week’s issue (25 October) of Horse & Hound magazine (25 October), or click here to subscribe.