An afternoon at the Races

Going to the races is always an enjoyable experience and I was delighted to be invited to this Sunday's meeting as guest of the Chairman and Director of the Racecourse. With me was the Mayoress, the Mayor's Attendant, my son and his partner and five other friends.

We arrived at the Royal Box to be met by the Chairman, David Sieft and were introduced to other directors and staff. The Royal Box is well furnished with CCTV on the racecourse and a wide screened TV and a Tote terminal for those who wish to bet on the horses.

There were eight races that day, but unfortunately there was no camel race, as had been billed. The first race was at 1.20 and was the State of Qatar International Open Handicap Purebreed Arabian Race. There were a number of Qatar visitors in the Royal Box and were excited about the race, which was worth £16,000 in prize money. This was the second most valuable race. The 15.50 race was the top value race, the European Breeders Fund Challenge Stakes, with £26,000 prize money. I have to admit that I have no clue about judging horses, so any wager that I place would be based on instinct rather than knowledge, luck rather than judgement.

I did go down to the enclosure to see the horses close up. I did admire the wonderful condition they were in and the potential power that they had. On going back to the Royal Box, I stopped at a tent in which there was a real story teller, which had numerous children spellbound. He was really acting the part and it was wonderful to see the children (and their parents) engrossed in the story being told. I spoke to one of the BBC staff who had organised this as part of their children's education programme. She was delighted at the response it was having and would continue this feature at subsequent race meetings. At the same time, I noted that there was a Fuller's Brewery Dray, which was drawn by two enormous horses, immaculately dressed out in their best trappings. These shire horses are specially bred and the brewery are currently looking for a replacement horse, just in case one has to be retired. It is not a bad life for the horses, as they get a daily ration of best bitter to wash down their food!

I was asked to present the trophy for the 15.50 race, the EBF Calice Stakes and I went down to the enclosure to view the horses and then returned to the Box to see the race. I returned with Mark Kershaw, the Managing Director to the ring and presented the trophy to the winning owner. I have to admit that I had actually backed his horse, so it was a double pleasure!

After the last race, it was time to thank our hosts for a wonderful afternoon and we then departed. My friends were equally delighted with their afternoon, even though most of them were some pounds sterling lighter: all pledged to return as soon as possible. Any readers of this blog who have been to the Newbury Racecourse, I urge them to go, as it is a great afternoon, with a great atmosphere, and you may even back a winner!