THE GREATEST HORSES, THE GREATEST JOCKEYS
01/04/2009
The Greatest Horses, The Greatest Jockeys
The bet365 Gold Cup Meeting at Sandown Park is undoubtedly a celebration of all the very best aspects of horseracing and the golden finale of the Jump season will take place this year on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April. Top quality racing, fantastic facilities, a celebration of the Champions of the past year, both equine and human and a live concert by Irish Band, The Saw Doctors, will round off a day that is not to be missed.
Before the excitement of the racing commences there will be a parade of the equine Champions of the Jump season in the paddock. Kauto Star became the first horse to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup, lose it the following year and then regain it and he will be parading in the paddock along with stablemates Big Bucks and Master Minded, both winners of major races at the Cheltenham Festival. Denman, who put in an impressive performance to finish runner up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, having won in the previous year, will also be present at the course.
The Human Champions will also receive recognition for all that they have achieved during the season, with an award ceremony taking place in the paddock before racing. Trainer Paul Nicholls, will again be crowned leading trainer for the fourth consecutive year and the legendary AP McCoy will be awarded Champion Jockey for the 14th year running. The BHA Order of Merit winner, Voy Por Ustedes, the Champion Owner and Champion Conditional Jockey will also be recognized. All the Jump jockeys that have ridden over 1,000 winners will be at the course, including Stan Mellor, Peter Niven, Tony Dobbin and Richard Johnson.
Alongside the last big race of the Jump season, the bet365 Gold Cup, there is also some top quality Flat racing to enjoy, including a Derby trial, which was watched last year by 15,000 eager visitors to the Esher venue. The bet365 Gold Cup has previously been won by the legends such as Desert Orchid, Arkle and Special Cargo and this year’s renewal is sure to be no different.
Irish folk-rock band, The Saw Doctors, who hold the record for Ireland’s biggest-selling single of all time, “I Useta Lover”, will finish off a fantastic day with a live concert by the parade ring. The band has a huge following both in the UK and in Ireland and they will be performing for an hour from approximately 5.15pm.
Racegoers can enjoy two fantastic areas of the grandstand; the Premier Enclosure and the Grandstand Enclosure, both of which offer superb viewing of all the action on the course. Advance Grandstand tickets cost just £15 on Friday and £24 on Saturday with advance Premier Enclosure tickets £22 and £37 for Saturday’s racing. Take advantage of the Sandown Park Gold Cup Package which includes admission, a £10 food and drink voucher, racecard and bet. Racing is a real social occasion and group bookings of 12 or more will receive a 20% discount. To book tickets please call 01372 47 00 47 or visit www.sandown.co.uk
