https://www.justgiving.com/teams/NOW2015

AND THEY’RE OFF; NEWMARKET TRAINERS TAKE TO THE COMMENTARY POSITION

On Saturday, 19th September, the first day of the inaugural Betfair Newmarket Open Weekend, racegoers will be treated to exclusive on course commentary for all seven races.  A handful of Newmarket based trainers have agreed to commit to learning the art of commentating all in aid of the beneficiaries of the Open Weekend; The National Horseracing Museum, Racing Welfare and Magpas: The Emergency Medical Charity.

Sir Michael Stoute, one of the trainers for Her Majesty The Queen, is set to be ahead of the field having previously spent three years commentating in his home country, Barbados.  Joining Sir Michael will be John Gosden and William Haggas, who between them trained the first three across the line in the Investec Derby this year.  Group 1 winning trainer David Simcock will also be taking to the commentary position for the first time alongside the up and coming Charlie Fellowes and recent Classic winning trainer Hugo Palmer.  Dual purpose trainer Lucy Wadham will be the sole female commentator and she completes the line-up.

Hugo Palmer, resident trainer at Kremlin Cottage Stables and trainee commentator, said;

“I am delighted to see that the Open Day has evolved into the Betfair Newmarket Open Weekend.  The weekend is a wonderful opportunity for Newmarket, the Home of Horseracing, to showcase the fantastic facilities that are available here.

“I have never commentated on live racing before but I’m sure we will see some healthy rivalry on the day and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

These trainers may be masters of the turf but do know that calling a race will be by no means an easy task.  Each trainer will undergo rigorous training and will receive some of the very best advice on offer from industry professionals in a bid to try and ensure a flawless commentating performance for their allocated race.

Amy Starkey, Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, East Region, said;

“We are very thankful to the trainers who are taking the time to be part of this great initiative.  It’s going to be a fantastic experience to both seasoned and novice racegoers on course and all proceeds raised will go to very worthy causes.

“The inaugural Betfair Newmarket Open Weekend is going to be such a fantastic occasion with lots of different aspects available for all the family to enjoy.”

Each trainer has a Just Giving page and has been randomly selected to represent one of the three chosen charities associated with this year’s Betfair Newmarket Open Weekend.  If you simply can’t choose who to support, you can always donate via https://www.justgiving.com/teams/NOW2015.

Tickets are still available for both days with kids under 18 going FREE on the Saturday and under 13s going FREE on the Sunday.