Hereford Times - 28th January 2016 - Page 143
Hereford Times - 28th January 2016 - Page 143
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| Date | 28/01/2016 |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Format | |
| Language | English |
| Area | Hereford Times |
| Collection Holder | |
| Date of Publication | 28th January 2016 |
| Transcription |
d at the )sest then K off left. as of tyed, lum- 8 up 1g a Her- ards ltute herefordtimescom Sportsdesk phone: 01432 845810 email: sport@herefordtimes.com Thursday, January 28 2016 THE HEREFORD Tll/ES RACING IS BACK By Paul Rogers Scudamore backs decision to reopen city racecourse Michael Scudamore at Hereford Racecourse HEREFORDSHIRE trainer Michael Scudamore has urged people to turn up in their droves to ensure Her- eford Racecourse will never close again after it was con- firmed it will reopen in Co tober. Lease holders Arena Rac- ing Company (ARC) re» vealed last week that the first meeting will take place on Thursday, October 6, with other meetings sched- uled for Monday, October 31, Wednesday, November 23 and Monday, December 19. It will be the first time that jump racing under rules will have taken place in Hereford for four years. Many of Scudamore’s fam- ' ily have either trained or ridden winners in the city and he is hopeful of being at the first meeting. “We have seen the dangers of what may happen if peo« ple don’t turn up; racing here has always been an integral part of Hereford and hopefully more and more people will turn up and support it,” said Scuda~ more, who trains his horses in Bromsash, near Ross~on~ Wye, and had a look at the National Hunt racing will return to Hereford in October, Arena Racing Company have confirmed. lt will be the first of four meetings to take place this year, with more planned for next year course this week. “It was great to be back there and that it will be back open in October. “All being well, I will be there and it’s been high» lighted in the diary “1 think, after the best part of four years of being shut, there was a worry if .it would ever come back, and. now it has. I‘m really looking forward to the first meeting in October and hopefully I‘ll back there with a few runners. “It’s a course that means a lot to our family. going all the way back to my great- quaset A Sgt I .1,“ grandfather, who trained winners around there. “Just about every genera- tion has been involved in winners and hopefully we’ll have a few more. “It‘s great for the city. espe- cially with the football club back up and running now and doing really well. “That is obviously be- ing heavily supported and hopefully the racecourse will be the same and there will be plenty of people turning up through the turnstile and supporting a lovely local course." Leading jockey Richard Ascot winners, from left: Charmaine Boultbee—Brooks, Alain Cawley, Julie Reynolds, Sarah Chase and Venetia Williams Johnson. who is from near Pembridge. had his first ever winner at Hereford when Rusty Bridge stormed to victory in 1994. The 40»year—old now has 3000 jump winners follow» ing success at Ascot last Saturday. “It's fantastic news be- cause we were all disap- pointed we we lost it in 2012." said Johnson. “It‘s a shame for it not to be used and the whole of the racing world has come out to support it and delighted that it‘s reopening. "I had my first winner there and it has always been a very good racecourse for me. There are no sharp bends and is a fair track. “It‘s good for novice and young horses because it‘s a step on the ladder. “I‘ve always enjoyed rac— ing there because it‘s a geod course and creates a good atmosphere." Herefordshire council- lor Harry Bramer. cabinet member for contracts and assets. said he was delight- ed racing will return to Hereford. “It is a central part of the local community and will have a beneficial effect on the local area,“ said Cllr Bramer. “In recent months we have positively engaged with ARC and welcome the in- + vestment it is making to bring racing back to the city. “We look forward to con- tinuing our successful re» lationship with ARC for the benefit of the county." The last race in 2012 was won by Alain Cawley. who rode. Seymour Eric to victo- ry in the Thermolast Handi» cap Hurdle. And Cawley was celebrat— ing last Saturday when he rode Dare Me to victory in the BetSti-S Handicap Stee- ple Chase at Ascot. The 12-year-old is trained by Herefordshire‘s \‘ene tia Williams. who is part of syndicate that includes county women Charmaine BoultbeeBrooks. Julie Reynolds. Sarah Chase and Debbie Holbrooli. Dare Me. which was bought by Williams three years ago. has enjoyed some great races. with his last win prior to Ascot coming at \i’arwick in 2014. He was due to ride in the Welsh National. but the first meeting was postponed and he was not fit enough to compete in the rearranged fixture. Dare Me fought off the fa vourite Royal Regatta. rid- den by Johnson. to claim the \x in and a £43. 000 win- ner's purse at 25 1. Benny s Mist also owned by Williams. came in third. £15) & New scout FOOTB’L tr e Vvesfitelds F has beza pay. 021'ka J’e Pith r: ‘3 was liming. , E031 male" 5. euerth : Owen. 0’, ’ Eckle{.. “O" matches Lee ser Vice RACING L ”c the se master racmg ,ch 5‘. A 5-!“ Lee will be heldm Ch3te nhac Cfll\‘10nda\'_ Apt’ti 15 Lee. who wrote a biography of Hereloro‘shire yotxey Richard Johnson m 2002 and provided his Cheltenham Festival tips at the Castle House Hotel in Hereford, died last month. aged 61. 141 Sport 08 |
| Newspaper name | Hereford Times |