HORSERACING: PRIZE money in excess of £160,000 will be up for grabs this Saturday when Warwick Racecourse hosts its feature raceday of the year.
The Betfred Classic Chase Day is Warwick’s richest raceday of the season and should attract the UK’s top trainers and jockeys.
ITV Racing will also be broadcasting live from Warwick for the first time since winning the free-to-air broadcasting rights from Channel 4.
The fixture is also expected to attract another bumper crowd, on the back of more than 6,500 people attending Warwick’s New Year’s Eve Raceday.
The feature race, the Betfred Classic Chase, is often contested by several horses who will compete in the Randox Health Grand National and has a £60,000 prize pot up for grabs.
Last year’s winner of the Grade 3 race was Kerry Lee trained Russe Blanc – ridden by local jockey Charlie Poste. The race card also includes the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle Race (registered as the Leamington) which carries prize money of £35,000.
“It was a great moment to see local jockey Charlie Poste ride Russe Blanc to victory in the feature race of the year last January, and we’re eagerly looking forward to what should be another great day of racing,” said Andre Klein, general manager of Warwick Racecourse.
“We were thrilled to attract what was a huge crowd on New Year’s Eve, well up on the great attendance we had the previous year, and continued the positive upward trend we’ve enjoyed over the last 12 months.
“I’d urge anyone who enjoyed the atmosphere and races with us on New Year’s Eve, or likewise couldn’t make it, to come along to the Classic Chase Day.
“It will be a great opportunity to see some top quality horses who could go on to become household names in the near future, and indeed might challenge at the Randox Health Grand National in April.”
Gates open at 10.40am ahead of the first race at 12.40pm with the final race of the day taking place at 4.05pm.
Restaurant and hospitality packages are available, starting at £95+VAT. For further information and advanced tickets go to www.warwickracecourse.co.uk or call 01926 405 560.
