ROYAL ARTILLERY GOLD CUP DAY SUPPORTING HELP FOR HEROES - 19 FEB 2010

The Royal Artillery Gold Cup was first run in 1863, gathering fame and distinction with every passing year.  It is restricted to horses owned by members, or ex-members, of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.  This year’s fixture is in support of Help for Heroes and the racecourse will play host to an exclusive equestrian Heroes Cup Parade as part of the day.  The event is all part of a new ‘Battle Back’ initiative to launch the inaugural ‘Heroes Cup’ horse race which will take place at the Esher venue on the same day in 2011. 

The ‘Battle Back’ initiative has been recently launched by The Army who appealed for injured serving or former military riders to train for a flat race on one of the military days in the racing calendar.  The race is to involve a number of injured serving and retired military riders as well as non-riders, a chance to celebrate their success in overcoming adversity by ‘battling back’ to equestrian fitness and confidence and retake their place in society.  Each of the riders will start to train for one of their toughest challenges since returning to the saddle and is a chance for them to encourage further injured riders to sign up for what will be a very exciting race.  The race represents all injured servicemen and women in their fight to recovery.  Trainers Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls as well as the King’s Troop have each offered support to host the training of the riders through 2010.

The ‘Heroes Parade’ will take place in the Parade Ring prior to the first race and hopes to encourage other military personnel to come forward and take part in this prestigious race.  Each of the soldiers on parade, all from different regiments, aspire to race in the 2011 Heroes Cup and will ride wearing britches and silks accompanied by uniformed members of the Kings Troop.

Prior to racing, the 32 Regiment Royal Artillery will take part in an Esher High Street Heroes parade at 10.30am with Troops who returned from Afghanistan in October, marching through Esher town and is an opportunity for friends and family to show their appreciation for the men and women of 22 Battery.

Sandown Park is delighted to have developed its longstanding relationship with the Royal Regiment of Artillery, one of the UK’s most prominent service charities and the Battle Back initiative.  The Help for Heroes work has captured the heart of the nation and in just 2 short years they have raised over £30m to fund some incredible projects for the real heroes. 

The Royal Artillery Gold Cup falls during half term and what better way to entertain and educate your children than to bring them to a historical day of racing where you can enjoy the music from the Royal Artillery Band and experience life in the Royal Artillery.  There will be army tanks and trucks for racegoers to look round and also a ‘fun’ army assault course.  The Royal Artillery Hunt will be parading and racegoers can head down to the course to mingle with the Master of Hounds and hear the calling of the Huntsman’s Horn. 

For more information on the Royal Artillery, please visit www.ragoldcup.org.uk

Esher High Street Heroes Parade: 10:30am

Heroes Cup Parade: 1:45pm

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