Red nosebands raise £10,500 for Comic Relief

Red Nose Day was celebrated in style at Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton Racecourse on Friday (15th March) when 42 horses competed in Red Nosebands in a bid to raise money for Comic Relief. 

Owners and trainers at the two tracks were invited to kit out their runners in specially dyed red nosebands with course owners Arena Racing Company (ARC) donating £250 to Comic Relief for every horse that wore one. 

At Lingfield Park, 17 horses went to post in red nosebands, including first race winner Devout, while at Wolverhampton 25 runners competed with red nosebands. The 42 runners together raised £10,500 for Comic Relief. 

Kate Hills, Director of PR & Communications, commented “Huge thanks must go to all the owners and trainers who supported the Red Noseband initiative. It was great to raise so much money for Comic Relief, and to see so many winners wearing red noses.” 

The charity challenge was promoted jointly by ARC and Lovetheraces.com as a fun way that racing could support such an important fund-raising occasion. 

Nick Attenborough, Director of Consumer PR at Great British Racing, said “We were delighted with the outcome and would like to thank all the individuals who helped with the project. I dare say that we’ll be looking to support Red Nose Day again when it reoccurs in 2015.”

‘World’s greatest’ darts champ at prestigious Wolverhampton race

Two prestigious races will stage their annual renewal at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Saturday 9^th March, along with guest star appearances from five-times world champion darts player Eric Bristow, MBE, and fellow darts legend Keith Deller.

The William Hill.com EBF Lady Wulfruna Stakes race - a class-1 handicap run over seven furlongs - and the prestigious one-mile William Hill Lincoln Trial will both offer an impressive £45,000 in prize money. Last year’s race was a nail-bitingly close call between winner Nazreef (trained by Hughie Morrison), second placed Kingscroft, and Mia’s Boy in third. 

And from horses to bulls-eyes, Eric Bristow and Keith Deller will also be at the racecourse in a Pro/Am challenge. The two, who’ve met countless times throughout the years, but most notably in the 1983 BDO World Championship Final, will be on-hand to partner the two highest scoring amateurs throughout the day.  Darts fans, who can enter the challenge for free, simply have to step up to the oche in Ringside and throw nine darts between races to be in with a chance of a partnering the two ex-world champions.

Managing Director David Roberts said: “Racing enthusiasts will undoubtedly see some of the best horses, trainers and jockeys at the racecourse during this Saturday afternoon fixture. Two previous winners of the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton Racecourse have gone on to win the Lincoln race held at Doncaster Racecourse.

“The Lincoln Trial Raceday really does showcase some fantastic racing and that combined with two darts legends, will make for a great day out for the darts and horse fans alike”.

Photo of 2012 Lincoln Trial winner Nazreef, ridden by Robert Winston.

Keith Deller, Freddie Furlong and Eric Bristow