A one mile Legend’s Charity Flat Race is being held as an additional race in the 7 card steeplechase line up at Knutsford Races Point to Point meeting at Tabley House on Sunday 17th May in aid of The Christie Hospital and Cancer Research UK.
Local jockey, Gemma Garton, was diagnosed with cancer in February 2014 and following a course of chemotherapy was given the all clear the following July. Gemma has successfully returned to race riding this season and she and a group of family and friends, “Team GG”, have also started raising money for both The Christie Hospital and Cancer Research UK through various events including hockey tournaments, running half marathons to countryside walks accompanied by afternoon tea. This year Knutsford races are delighted to support Gemma’s chosen charities and both the proceeds from the charity flat race and raffle ticket sales will contribute towards these extremely worthwhile causes.
The charity flat race is already proving a talking point with many local former point to point jockeys planning to take part.
Richard Burton with 414 winners is the all-time record holder for most point to point wins is keen to take part but a recent skiing incident has aggravated an old shoulder injury. This has temporarily side-lined Burton and the timing of his operation will determine his participation. Richard will be present on the race day as he is now a member of the Knutsford Races organising committee.
Steve Brookshaw is best known as the trainer of Lord Gyllene who won the re-run of the 1997 Grand National held on a Monday following the terrorist bomb scare threat on the Sunday. Steve who still regularly rides for his daughter, point to point trainer Heidi, is also Richard Burton’s Uncle so he may have the family reputation to uphold!
Caroline Robinson won both the Cheltenham and Aintree Foxhunters’ chase and many point to point races. Caroline now trains pointers and has successfully bred several ‘Shales’ pointers who are ridden by her two daughters Immy and Kitty; providing family continuity which is often found in the sport of pointing.
Ex point to point jockey, Miles Seston, leading owner and former successful rider Richard Hewitt, young trainer Sam Allwood, past national champion Andrew Dalton and former top North West jockey and now leading trainer Gary Hanmer are all keen to line up in the charity race.
No race of this type will be complete without the participation of a member of the Crow dynasty. The records of the family members is impeccable with many area and national champions featuring but Sheila Crow is undoubtedly a Point to Point legend having won many races and trained countless winners. Several of which she promoted through the pointing ranks including Cappa Bleu who she trained to win his first outing on the track when winning the Cheltenham Foxhunters. Today, Sheila continues to train ample winners and still rides the horses on the gallops. Her children Alistair and Lucy were both national champions and it is hoped that one or more this racing dynasty will wear the famous Crow colours in the Legend’s Charity Flat race.
These names along with a few others are aiming to dust their boots and silks off ready for the off on the 17th May in the Legend’s Flat Race!
To find out more information on the Charity Flat Race and the latest Knutsford Races news visit www.knutsfordraces.co.uk. To support “Team GG’s’ charities visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/teamGG