Saturday 5 November Wincanton Racecourse hosted the 50th running of the Badger Ales Chase and it was a day with many celebrations….
Somerset-based Champion Trainer, Paul Nicholls, saddled five winners of the seven-race card at his local track with two more victories at Sandown Park and Down Royal Racecourses, to become the youngest trainer to reach 2,000 winners in Britain and Ireland.
The Minack landed the Badger Ales Trophy for Paul Nicholls, beating stablemate and last year’s winner Meanus Dandy. Mark and Tessa Woodhouse, owners of Meanus Dandy, Chairman of Wincanton Racecourse and sponsors of the Listed Race, were gallant in defeat, and even more so, when they presented the Golden Ticket winner with his weight in ale – some 22 stone!
Dr Tom Cutton-Brock from Birmingham was that lucky racegoer and plans to donate the Badger Ales towards the Acorns Children’s Hospice charity party. The registered charity offers a network of care for life limited and life-threatened children and young people, and their families, across the heart of England. These children and young people are not expected to reach adulthood and require specialist care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Tom said: “It’s my first visit to Wincanton Racecourse and my wife and I had the most enjoyable day at the delightful and friendly course. It was so insightful seeing Daryl Jacob (The Minack’s winning jockey) weigh-in after the big race and he kindly helped me onto the scales with much amusement. My wife, however, was not impressed, because she thought I was lighter but I plan to treat her to a pint of ale!”
Steve Parlett, Wincanton’s General Manager, added: “Our Badger Ales Raceday was a success on many levels with Paul’s 2,000 landmark and having him on-course to celebrate being one of the highlights. The racing was highly competitive with thrilling finishes and we were rewarded with peak attendance levels that exceeded previous years. We now look forward to our next November and festive meetings.”
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, November 17 Gates open 11am Race off: 1.05pm; Thursday, December 1 Gates open 11am Race off: 1.10pm; Monday, December 26 Gates open 10.30am Race off: 12.30pm.
Allison is the Publisher of Eclipse Magazine. She loves going to the Races and is learning to bet (despite being officially the worst bettor in the History of the Universe), there’s a lot more to learn…
