Wincanton Takes Horseracing to St Margaret's Hospice

Wednesday 3rd October saw Wincanton Racecourse take horseracing to St Margaret's Hospice (Yeovil) in celebration of the forthcoming Charity Race Day in support of St Margaret's Hospice and Friends of Wincanton Community Hospital on Sunday 28th October.

Staff, patients and family members were able to experience firsthand the phenomenal beauty of a racehorse when Dorset-based trainer, Caroline Keevil brought Sound Stage into the hospice's garden. Local jockey, Joe Tizzard, was on hand to reveal the joys and thrills of jump racing.

Wincanton's Charity Race Day was launched in 1997, with St Margaret's Hospice being a principal beneficiary for over a decade. The meeting to date, which hosts a marquee reception and a silent auction, has raised over £600,000 for the hospice alone and is considered one of its most successful regional fundraising events.

Wincanton's General Manager Steve Parlett says, "Firstly, I would like to thank Caroline and Joe for so willingly giving up their spare time this morning. The Wincanton Charity Race Day is firmly established in our racing schedule and the monies raised for two such worthy causes is a perfect reward for everyone's efforts.

"Taking horseracing to those we fundraise for was a humbling experience."

Welcoming the Wincanton experience, St Margaret's Hospice Events Manager, Carol Taylor, adds, "Having a racehorse in our hospice garden has been a magical experience for our patients, who especially enjoyed the jockey's tales from the weighing room! We look forward to racing at Wincanton on Sunday 28th October and to raising more funds and awareness for our Charity."

St Margaret's Hospice is a local charity committed to proving care, advice, support and respite to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families living in Somerset and parts of neighbouring counties. In 2010 St. Margaret's celebrated 30 Years of Caring for the people of Somerset.

Sound Stage is a nine-year-old bay gelding trained by Caroline Keevil and owned by KSB Bloodstock.

Advance tickets start from £12 for racing on Sunday 28th October. To book, call the hotline 0844 579 3014 or visit www.wincantonracecourse.co.uk.

Hospitality in the charity marquee starts from £75 per ticket or £700 for a table of 10, and includes a champagne reception, three-course lunch with wine and afternoon tea. Book now at www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk.

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