Twelve riders gunning for Cheltenham Greatwood glory Sunday 13 November

By Advertisement Feature on November 11th 2011

The Greatwood Charity Race (Sunday 13 November), the last race at the finale of Cheltenham's Open meeting this weekend has received a bumper entry, with twelve riders taking part, the maximum number permitted.

This year’s race looks a competitive renewal, where each rider in pursuit of Cheltenham glory will also have raised over £2,500 in order to take part in aid of the Greatwood charity. Greatwood, based near Marlborough, Wiltshire rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes former racehorses and educates children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) via their acclaimed Horse Power program. Details of riders below. To donate to the riders please visit

www.justgiving.com/greatchelt

Helen Yeadon, founder of Greatwood commented; “We are delighted that this year’s race is so well supported and we wish everyone taking part a fun and safe ride. It costs over £480,000 to run Greatwood each year, so we are very grateful to the tremendous fundraising efforts during the tough economic climate”.

The day also features the prestigious £100,00 Greatwood Hurdle, which boasts an impressive roll of honour and is generally regarded as a valuable pointer toward the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Festival in March. In 2003 the race first took the title of The Greatwood Hurdle, courtesy of the generous support by Nigel Bunter owner of the Barbury Castle Estate near Marlborough, who sponsors the race on behalf of Greatwood. Nigel is also the part owner with Max McNeil of Kumbeshwar, currently fifth in the betting for the race and who is trained on Bunter’s Barbury Estate by Alan King.

Helen Yeadon, comments “We are hugely grateful to Nigel for all his support around this raceday as well as with Greatwood as a whole. Being involved with such a prestigious event provides us with a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of our work as well as essential funds. We are looking forward to the renewal of this year’s race, which always produces an exciting winner, but naturally Kumbeshwar will receive the lion’s share of cheering from the Greatwood camp!”

Greatwood Horse Power grad’s to celebrate fifth anniversary

To mark Greatwood’s Horse Power fifth anniversary, after it was launched five years ago at Cheltenham’s Open fixture, students and graduates will be taking part in best turned out pony challenge in the parade ring, judged by Cheltenham Gold Cup winning Jockey Mick Fitzgerald.

During this period 2000 children with Special Education Needs have passed through Greatwood’s Horse Power program, which provides the opportunity to explore caring for horses, learning about trust, kindness and respect while at the same time applying the same considerations to how to care for themselves and their own relationships.

The students that will take part are from Millfield, Elmhurst and Marchant Holiday School (Somerset) who have adopted Greatwood’s Horse Power program as well as students that attend Greatwood direct.

Greatwood Charity Race Riders

Harriet Bond	University student Harriet regularly rides work for Jonjo O’Neill’s where her mother has horses in training.
Carey Buckler	Daughter of Dorset trainer Bob, Carey is an experienced amateur jockey and Sales & Marketing Executive at Huntingdon Racecourse.
Andrew Barr	Racing journalist Andrew has enjoyed many years of riding out and has also ridden in a point-to-point but this is his racecourse debut in the saddle.
Becky Furber	Becky is attached to Paul Nicholls yard and has ridden in point-to-points.
Diana Hobbs	Daughter of Somerset trainer Philip, Diana is an experienced point-to-point jockey and has just completed her degree at Cirencester Royal Agricultural College.
Gemma Hogg	Gemma is assistant to trainer Micky Hammond and rides in the charity race to celebrate her 30th birthday!
Clare Luck	Clare has ridden out for Oliver Sherwood for four years and is Director of a travel company specialising in self-drive safaris in Africa.
Maurice McCarthy	Maurice rides regularly in charity races and has previously ridden in a charity race at Cheltenham raising funds for the TAWC Fund.
Patrick Neville	Limerick trainer Patrick recently trained a double at the Killarney Festival and was a successful amateur jockey before taking out his trainer’s licence.
Tracey Phillips	Tracey worked for Tim Holland-Martin for many years. She rides out regularly for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Lee Thomas	Lee is sales director of his own engineering company and rode in Newbury’s charity race in June. He regularly rides work for Bill Moore near Chester.
David Weston	A financial and property consultant from Thirsk, David fulfilled his lifetime’s ambition of riding in a race not only at Towcester but also here at Cheltenham 2 years ago on his old warrior Amjad who he will be riding.

Twelve riders gunning for Cheltenham Greatwood glory Sunday 13 November

www.justgiving.com/greatchelt

Greatwood Horse Power grad’s to celebrate fifth anniversary

Greatwood Charity Race Riders

For further information visit: www.greatwoodcharity.org or call Greatwood Charity on: 01672 514535

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