HORSE RACING: Andre Klein is General Manager at Warwick Racecourse. In his latest column with the Observer he looks at the horses that starred in their season debuts.
It feels like the flat racing season is finally giving way to the jumps. A number of the ‘big names’ have made their seasonal debuts.
At Warwick we witnessed a smart fencing debut from Alan King’s Sceau Royal, while his celebrated stablemate, Yanworth, jumped well last week at Exeter when beating a handy horse in Sternrubin.
My old favourite, The New One looked like a fresh recruit to the game, winning at Ffos Las in the Welsh Champion Hurdle beating the horse that is almost my namesake, Clyne and the legendary, handsome sort Sire de Grugy.
Around the country, one by one the best in the business are being given quiet beginnings as early stepping stones to much tougher assignments.
No doubt the bookmakers will be getting a fresh wave of intrigue over their ante post markets for the Cheltenham Festival, as eager punters evaluate these dawn of the season performances. These are exciting times.
Up next at Warwick Racecourse we have our Business Networking Race Day on Friday, November 10 – where we will welcome England Rugby World Cup winning star Mike Tindall as our special guest speaker on the day.
Mike Tindall was part of the syndicate that owned Monbeg Dude, winner of the 2012 Welsh Grand National and third place in the 2015 Grand National. With 18 fixtures a season at Warwick and my firm belief that no race day is just an ordinary race day, we have themed each and every fixture.
The Business Networking one is what it says on the box but it’s a bit of misnomer because in reality anyone is welcome to come along, not just business folk. So don’t be put off!
General admission on the day is just £15. However, if you jump online or call the team at the racecourse you can enjoy the full Business Networking Race Day package.
That includes admission to the track and the paddock pavilion, tea and coffee on arrival, an intimate interview with Mike Tindall carried out by yours truly and then the wise words of jockey David Crosse, our leading tipster, followed by a hog roast luncheon for just £35!
All of this before the racing even starts, that to me is a sure fire value for money winner!
For more information about Warwick Racecourse or for tickets to the Business Networking Raceday visit warwick.thejockeyclub.co.uk
