Racecourses to boost charities ... plus Goodwood Friday tips

Fontwell Park and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) are joining forces for a life-saving day at the races next Tuesday.

Before then, Goodwood will stage a new fixture which will raise money for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.

At Fontwell, race-goers can enjoy a day of horse racing with a difference as each ticket sold will help to raise money for life-saving research into heart disease.

It will be the fourth year Fontwell officials have supported the heart charity and this will be the biggest event yet. The money raised will also help continue the work the charity has done to improve heart health in the Sussex area.

There are around 180,000 people living with heart and circulatory disease in Sussex. The BHF has made huge investments in resources throughout the area to help keep hearts healthy.

The charity has made 579 awards of defibrillators to organisations in the area and also supports 185 Health at Work programmes for businesses to keep their employees healthy and active in the workplace.

The BHF produces hundreds of free publications and leaflets to help heart patients, their families and people who want to learn more about leading a healthier lifestyle.

More than 119,000 heart health resources were despatched to Sussex addresses last year.

Gates for the race day 
open at midday and racing starts at 2.05pm. There will be seven races.

There is a range of ticket options, including the BHF paddock package, new for 2014. This includes entry, a race programme, £2 tote bet, hot drinks voucher and a £3 donation to the BHF. There is a hospitality package for £75 offering dining in the premier restaurant.

Kathrine Maynard, who is community fundraising manager at the BHF, said: “The fact is coronary heart disease is still the UK’s single biggest killer.

“The BHF’s work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease.

“But so many people still need help and there is much work to still be done. By joining us on June 10 you can have fun at the races and help raise the money we need to fight back against the nation’s single biggest killer.”

George Hill, marketing manager at Fontwell Park, said: “It is great to welcome back the BHF to Fontwell Park for the fourth consecutive year. Once again our main aim is to raise awareness and vital funds for this fantastic charity, and with the introduction of the new BHF paddock package, this will enable everyone to get involved and support the cause.”

For more information about the event, to become a sponsor and to buy your ticket, contact the hospitality team on 01243 543 335 or email [email protected]

At Goodwood on Sunday, the Injured Jockeys’ Fund will benefit from a new fixture, which has been given a Sunday School theme.

A seven-race afternoon card of flat racing will be complemented by activities including hands-on workshops, farrier demonstrations, a chance to walk the course, trips to the start and behind-the-scenes tours of the racecourse and weighing room – giving children and the whole family a really fun insight into the exciting world of horseracing.

There will also be a free children’s fairground.

The Sunday School family race day will support a chosen charity each year. This year, it’s the Injured Jockeys’ Fund, which does a lot of unsung work looking after riders injured in their work. The organisation is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014.

TOP TIPS

Can sports editor Steve Bone’s fine tipping form continue at Goodwood tonight and Sunday and then at Fontwell on Tuesday.

He picked out three winners at Fontwell’s Wednesday afternoon card – including Venetia Williams’ 14/1 shot Market Option.

If you’d staked £5 to win on each of Bone’s selections at the starting price, you’d have made £66.25 profit. He also found two second places and a third.

The Fontwell fixture was a successful one, extended to eight races because of the high number of entries in a couple of the contests.

There was a back-to-back double for Gavin Sheehan on Seventh Sky and Detour Ahead while Tony McCoy kicked off proceedings with a win on Shubaat in the opener.

Our Goodwood Friday evening tips: 600 Balmoral Castle, 635 Aledaid, 710 Links Drive Lady, 745 Tafawuk, 815 Lady Brigid, 845 Alisios.