Friday 3 October 2014

Six Tremendous Weeks

It's been over a month since we last blogged, but that's certainly not because we've been short on events and news! In the six weeks we've hosted UB40, we've staged another fabulous Ladies Evening, we've had a host of acts perform live in the Ringside Suite, we've welcomed Promise Dreams walkers across the finish line, we've held the largest UK Networking event, and somewhere in amongst all of this we've fit in over ten racing fixtures on the new Tapeta surface.

Taking you back to the final weekend in August, a capacity crowd watched a seven race evening meeting followed by international reggae stars UB40 performing live after racing. The old favourites were all played, the crowd going crazy for a spot of Red Red Wine and (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You and a thoroughly good night was had by all. If you've not already, check out the pictures on Facebook.


We were then glad to see just a week later many of you return for the annual Ladies Evening, this year sponsored by Tile Choice. Live music was provided after racing by boy band Fate, and Derek Thompson was on hand throughout the evening bringing his Tommo TV live to the racecourse before playing MC to the Best Dressed Competition. The racegoers outfits were fantastic and it was the job of guest judge, and award winning fashion blogger, Emma Iannirilli to choose the best dressed lady and the best hat. The deserved winners were: Adele Farrell from Tamworth (Best Dressed Lady) and Cafolin Campbell from Birmingham (Best Hat).

The At The Races team were in attendance on Ladies Evening filming for a Wolverhampton Racecourse feature, keep an eye out for this on Sky Channel 415 and soon to be posted on YouTube.


It's not just off the course the crowds have been dazzled and wowed though, as racing on the new Tapeta surface has been pretty entertaining too! A few Class 2s and 3s have thrown up some very good winners and the fixtures have been attracting some big, competitive fields with some top class horses on display. Even today we have a previous Group 1 winner in our midst, Regal Parade, who won the Sprint Cup at Haydock in 2009 is engaged in the 6.20. As we near the start of another All-Weather Championship season, some of the top yards are getting their Tapeta form up to scratch, the likes of Qatar Racing and Godolphin often sending some excellent horses.

As jockeys, trainers and owners have reported, the racing has been fair and winners have been coming from the front, back, inside and out to claim victory on the new surface. We're beginning to find a few Tapeta specialists, with Fiftyshadesfreed being one in particular, racking up a hat-trick in less than a month. In his 15 starts before this the 3 year old grey had only managed 2 victories, both at Kempton Park. Now a Class 4 winner, trainer George Baker, and owning syndicate Team Fifty, must be relishing the All-Weather Championships at Wolverhampton, and a crack at some high class races with some equally impressive prize money on offer.


New bands, tribute acts and racecourse favourites have made September appearances, and we look forward to seven more live music evenings before December comes around, and the beginning of the festive season with a whole host of party nights. The full lineup can be found online here.

Two consecutive evening meetings conclude this week at the racecourse, both with eight race cards, tickets available on the gate or book your hospitality package now by calling us on 01902 390000, and Christmas parties are beginning to book up very quickly with packages already selling out, get your group together and make the booking now to avoid disappointment!