Racehorse Sanctuary News

8th March 2010

The Racehorse Sanctuary Charity Lunch is a huge success despite the weather

At 6.30 am on Sunday 28th February it was simply pouring with rain and had been for several days, the phone lines between Fontwell Park Racecourse and the sanctuary office were red hot and at around 7.30 am it looked as though the entire event was going to be called off. With 170 people booked for a three course silver service lunch and auction commencing at 11.30 am it was panic stations as to how to handle this difficult situation, however, at around 8.45 am thank goodness the go ahead was given for racing to take place and it was all systems go to inform those who had been told it wasn’t worth making the journey to the coast.

As the morning progressed the rain eased and as if by magic just after 11.30 am the skies cleared just in time for our guests to arrive. Whilst the majority of our regular guests and supporters were present we were lucky to have several new tables including racehorse owner and support group member Colin Pocock, Newmarket based trainer Willie Musson and film producer Julia Ohllson which added up to a full house for Colin Brown to go through the days racecard and give his tips for the afternoons racing.


As always from the Fontwell Park caterers the meal was first class and throughout it Colin Brown was our auctioneer for fifteen fantastic items all donated by supporters of the charity, not only did this raise a great deal of funds fore the centre but as always Colin was extremely entertaining. The top lot had to be a weeks holiday in a truly magnificent villa in Majorca kindly donated by Mr Ken Manley but also on offer were two other holidays one in Provence and one in Derbyshire, morning on the gallops with Paul Nicholls, Alan King and Willie Musson, a box for 20 at Kempton Park Racecourse, an overnight stay at the Haymarket Hotel in London with theatre tickets and a super bronze sculpture by Belinda Sillars to name but a few.

The second race on the seven race card was the “Totesport.com Supporting The Racehorse Sanctuary Novices Steeplechase” which was won by the Paul Nicholls trained Take the Breeze a super looking grey 7-y-o gelding by Take Risks and we were lucky enough to present his owners Mr Mrs Calder with their trophy, however the best turned out in the race which was judged by our trustee Sue Collins was Vamizi who looked an absolute picture.


I cannot thank all those who so kindly donated, helped or supported this day as we rely on it so much for the funding of the centre and we mustn’t forget “Trouble” the terrier who belongs to Belinda Sillars and spent the entire afternoon promoting his book which has been extremely successful in America and the takings from all that were sold that day the went to our charity.

Finally to I must thank the Charity Lunch Committee chaired by Colin Passmore, our secretary Jane Aylwin and Beccy Green of Fontwell Park for putting so much effort into making this day so successful.