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Cheltenham Announces Ladies Charity Race at The Festival
22/12/09

Cheltenham Racecourse today announced that a Ladies-only charity flat race will take place at The Festival 2010 on Ladies Day, Thursday, March 18.

The race will be run after the six scheduled races on that day have been completed and will raise money for Cancer Research UK, which is this season’s chosen charity on Ladies Day.

Georgie Browne, the Official Ambassador for Ladies Day, will be one of the riders taking part in the race. Georgie, partner of champion trainer Paul Nicholls and regular work rider on dual Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded, said today: “I am thrilled to be the Ladies Day Ambassador for 2010 and riding in a flat race will be one of the highlights of what I am sure will be a memorable day.”

Applications are now being invited for the one mile five furlong flat race, with a maximum field of 12 runners, open to any Lady riders, licensed or not, each of whom is required to raise a minimum of £5,000 in sponsorship.

Participants are required to provide their own mount that must have run at least twice under the recognised Rules of Racing. Applications close on January 15, 2010.

Cheltenham’s Managing Director, Edward Gillespie, said: “This is an exciting addition to Ladies Day at The Festival for this season, which we hope will raise a significant sum of money for a worthy cause.

“It is also an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Lady riders to take part in the special atmosphere at The Festival. Let’s hope a well-known face or two might be tempted to take part.”

The race conditions are as follows:

CHARITY FLAT RACE AT THE FESTIVAL ON MARCH 18, 2010

The British Horseracing Authority has granted exemptions from the effects of Rule A38 for this race as it is being run outside the Rules of Racing. Therefore, it will not count for any purposes on the horse’s career record.

For four-year-olds and upwards who have run at least twice under the recognised Rules of Racing

Distance – One mile, five furlongs, to be started by flag
Weight.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 stone

All horses to be rated 80-125 for hurdlers/steeplechasers (also open to such horses rated 79 or below) 0-80 for horses that have run twice in a NH flat race

All horses to be vaccinated in accordance with Rule E18/19 of the Rules of Racing and to come from yards of trainers licensed by the British Horseracing Authority

This is an invitation race for lady jockeys only. Riders are responsible for finding their own horses. Riders must be passed fit to ride by the racecourse doctor on the raceday.

All riders must provide their own equipment including the new mandatory back protector and new skull cap as laid down under the Rules of Racing January, 2002 Standards

Each rider will be insured by Cheltenham Racecourse for Personal Accident & Public Liability from Weighing Out until Weighing In

Each rider is requested to raise £5,000 in sponsorship and must deposit £1,000 of this 28 days before the race with a further £1,000 14 days before the race. The outstanding balance must be paid within 48 hours of the race.

A maximum of 12 riders only

The Festival takes place over four days - Tuesday, March 16 to Friday, March 19.

Cheltenham has been voted Racecourse of the Year for the sixth consecutive year in 2009 by members of the Racegoers Club

Cheltenham first won the Racegoers Club Racecourse of the Year Award, started in 1972, in 1982 and since 1993 has gained that illustrious title 14 times out of 17 years.

Edward Gillespie, Managing Director at Cheltenham Racecourse, commented: “We really value this accolade from Racegoers Club members.

“The Award reflects the enormous effort our staff put in throughout the year, often in the most difficult circumstances, and the passion that racegoers feel for this extraordinary place. Long may it continue!”