BET365 GOLD CUP SUCCESS
27/04/2008
A GOLDEN FINALE FOR THE END OF THE JUMPS SEASON
The finale of the jumps season came to a dazzling close at Sandown Park Racecourse on Saturday 26 April for the bet365 Gold Cup Meeting when over 14,000 racegoers enjoyed not only the hottest day of the year, but also the chance to watch an exceptional parade of champions and witness the thrilling bet365 Gold Cup.
Crowds flooded into the course at 10.30am to enjoy a full day of entertainment, kicking off with a Parade of champions featuring the 2008 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup 1, 2, 3 Denman, Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges; the 2008 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, Master Minded; the 2008 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Winner, Katchit and the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National Winner, Comply or Die. Racegoers crowded around the racecourse’s Parade Ring to watch the horses whilst highlights of their successes were played on the big screens and even Denman proved his well being showing that the season had not tired him out!
The Champions Awards were hosted by Nick Luck, HWPA Broadcaster of the Year, where Frankie Dettori presented Chanelle McCoy with the prize for BHA Champion Jockey on behalf of AP McCoy who was riding in Punchestown, Paul Nicholls received the BHA Champion Trainer award, along with David Johnson who won the BHA Champion Owner. Clive Smith received a cheque for £200,000 for Kauto Star who won the prestigious BHA Order of Merit Champion Award.
The feature race of the day, The bet365 Gold Cup had a total of 19 runners and was won in scintillating fashion by the former Order of Merit winner Monkershostin, providing the Philip Hobbs team yet another Sandown Park big race winner. The Paul Nicholls trained and the Clive Smith owned, Royal Auclair had another gallant race in finishing second.
Stilt Walkers, golden statues, jazz bands, a host of pimms and champagne bars were on show around the course for the crowds to see the end of the jumps season off in style. The day drew to a glittering close with a live concert from the Irish Supergroup, ‘The Saw Doctors’ who performed a selection of their favourite songs from their current album ‘The Cure’.
David Mackinnon, Managing Director for Sandown Park Racecourse said, “Today could not have been better: the sun shone, the crowds came, the jumps champions paraded and Monkerhostin had a fantastic win in the bet365 Gold Cup. We are delighted to have exceeded 2007’s attendance by more than 2,000 paying heads for what is one of Sandown Park’s iconic meetings and this is the best attendance we have had since 2005.
We have had a superb jump season here and very much look forward to a summer of flat racing where not only do we have the Coral-Eclipse, one of the best premier flat racedays in the country but also live music from top bands including Girls Aloud and Madness, and other themed days when I look forward to welcoming you all back then.”
