racing_news/

Lester Piggott to Open New Wiltshire Stand at Salisbury on June 23
25/05/05

Racing legend Lester Piggott will be at Salisbury on Thursday, June 23, to officially open the racecourse's new £1.1 million Wiltshire Stand, which incorporates an owners & trainers bar, improved tote betting facilities, two new corporate suites and an open-terraced roof bar.

The "Long Fellow", who rode a record nine Epsom Derby winners and a whole host of other big-race successes in Britain and around the world, has a strong connection with Salisbury Racecourse. It was one of Lester's ancestors, a Cannon of Stockbridge, who built the racecourse.

Piggott, who was champion jockey 11 times, liked riding Salisbury and had a good deal of success at the track, especially in the early years of his career, with his first course winner being on Alizarene over a mile in the Southern Handicap on July 6, 1950.

Although the new building will be opened officially on June 23, it has now been completed and will be fully operational throughout June which is a busy month at Salisbury with four days of exciting action, culminating in the historic two-day Bibury Meeting on Wednesday, June 22, and Thursday, June 23.

Tuesday, June 7, sees the first of the month's action and features a seven-race programme running from 2.15pm through to 5.15pm. The highlight of the afternoon is the £13,000-added EBF MARGADALE FILLIES' HANDICAP (3.45pm) over a mile and a quarter.

Salisbury's two Sunday fixtures are always popular and the second and final of these two racedays will be held on Sunday, June 12. A six-race programme runs from 2pm through to 4.40pm, with totesport backing four of the six contests. The richest race of the afternoon is the £32,000 Listed AXMINSTER CARPETS CATHEDRAL STAKES (3.40pm) over six furlongs. Now in its fourth year, this exciting contest is open to three-year-olds and upwards. The Roger Charlton-trained Avonbridge was triumphant in 2003 and has gone on to score at both Group Two and Group Three level while last year's victor Moss Vale has also performed with credit in Group contests.

Away from the track, there are various attractions to keep all members of the family amused including a bouncy castle, clowns and a penalty shoot-out competition for the children. Musical entertainment is provided by the Lucknow Band, a military band from the Prince of Wales's Division.

On Wednesday and Thursday, June 22 and 23, Salisbury plays host to the historic Bibury Meeting. This two-day event features some high-quality racing action. The two richest races on the opening day, both worth £20,000 added, are the VIC FOOT BIBURY CUP (3.10pm) and NOEL CANNON MEMORIAL TROPHY HANDICAP (4.40pm). The Vic Foot Bibury Cup takes place over a mile and a half and is a handicap for three-year-olds. It is often won by a progressive performer and last year's winner Albinus went on to run well in Listed and Group company.
Thursday's most valuable contest is the £20,000-added NEW WILTSHIRE STAND "CHAMPAGNE" AUCTION STAKES (3.10pm), which marks the opening of the new Wiltshire stand on this day by Lester Piggott. On the same card, a highly-informative contest could prove to be the HERBERT AND GWEN BLAGRAVE EBF MAIDEN STAKES (2.40pm) over just short of seven furlongs. Godolphin's Perfectperformance landed this contest in 2004 prior to taking both the Listed Weatherbys Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury and the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot. Other recent winners of this well-performing maiden race include Priors Lodge, Passing Glance and Norse Dancer, the latter having been placed several times at Group One level and was successful in the Group Three totesport Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury last season.
Jeremy Martin, Salisbury's Clerk of the Course, commented: "We are both delighted and honoured that the new Wiltshire Stand will be opened by Lester Piggott and we are naming our roof terrace bar after him. The views from up there are fantastic.

"June is a very busy month for us here at Salisbury and offers a blend of top quality racing and family entertainment. In short, there is something for everyone."
Admission prices for all four days are Members' Enclosure £18, Tattersalls Enclosure £11 and Course Enclosure £6, but reduced rates are available for all enclosures up to seven working days in advance. Accompanied children under 16 are admitted FREE and car parking is FREE. The gates open at noon for the June racedays and a big screen show the racing at every fixture in June.