Easter Bonanza Of Racing

Features | 14^th April 2022

Good Friday might be all about tasty hot cross buns for some but to racing fans it’s a chance to see behind the scenes at some of the country’s top stables and enjoy the very best all‐weather action.

All Weather Champs

The annual Easter extravaganza that is the All‐Weather Championships will showcase the cream of racing on artificial surfaces. It’s in its ninth year and will be held at Newcastle for the first time. Due to its success and increasing popularity, the finals’ previous venue, Lingfield, will host the All‐ Weather Vase meeting for horses that didn’t make it into the main event. It will mark the culmination of a thrilling winter of Flat racing when honours will be handed to the ‘All Stars’ – all‐weather racing’s top performers. There will be awards for the top jockey, apprentice jockey, trainer and owner as well as the winning‐ most horse. All the titles will be decided on the number of winners.

The ITV cameras will swing into Newcastle to cover the six All‐weather Championship races. The finals cover distances from six furlongs up to two miles with special races confined to three‐ year‐olds and fillies. Newcastle’s seven‐race card is completed by the Listed Coral Burradon Stakes over a mile. To qualify for the glittering Championships horses have had to either win one of the fast‐track qualifiers held in Britain, Ireland and France or have run at least three times on the all‐weather during the winter.

Finals day has attracted high‐quality fields and it’s sure to be an action‐packed afternoon. Runaway leader for the All‐Weather Championships’ top jockey, David Probert, will has some decent chances as he attempts to celebrate his title success with a victory or two. He will be joined at Newcastle by the likes of top riders Frankie Dettori, Hollie Doyle, Jamie Spencer and French star Gregory Benoist.

Apprentice Jockeys’ Title

The apprentice jockeys’ title is set to go down to the wire. There’s all to play for with George Rooke holding a narrow lead over Oliver Stammers and Rhys Clutterbuck. Mick Appleby will be hoping to mark his achievement as leading trainer by adding to his impressive 52 wins during the winter season. As well as Good Friday’s three all‐weather cards at Newcastle, Lingfield and Chelmsford, fans will also get the chance to visits dozens of racing stables.

Stable Open Days

There will plenty to see and do at the Peter O’Sullivan Lambourn Open Day. Nicky Henderson, Charlie Hills and Clive Cox will be among 25 trainers throwing open their gates to the public from 8.30am. There will be a fun‐packed afternoon of entertainment. Last week’s Grand National hero Sam Waley‐Cohen will take on Sir AP McCoy in a showjumping challenge and there will also be a parade of champions, camel racing, trade stands and so much more. For more details visit: www.lambournopenday.com Middleham in North Yorkshire will also hold its popular open day on Good Friday. Charlie and Mark Johnston’s powerful yard will be among a dozen stables allowing racing fans to see what goes on behind the scenes. There will also be displays from the Household Cavalry and Retraining of Racehorses as well as a fun inter‐yard competition between stable staff. For more information visit: www.middlehamopenday.co.uk.

Easter Racing Bonanza

There’s a bumper day of fixtures on Easter Saturday with Newbury’s Classic trials topping the Flat action. The Berkshire track will host Guineas hopefuls in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes and the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes.

ITV will be showing four races from Newbury and four from Musselburgh. Haydock holds the finals of the Challenger Series over jumps and there’s also meetings at Carlisle, Nottingham, Lingfield and Newton Abbot.

Newbury’s two‐day fixture rolls on to Sunday, when there is also cards at Market Rasen, Ffos Las, Plumpton and Southwell.

On Easter Monday ITV Racing will be covering the Irish Grand National card from Fairyhouse as well as Kempton’s high‐class all‐weather action. There’s also meetings at Fakenham, Huntingdon, Redcar, Chepstow, Plumpton and Wolverhampton.

There really is something for every racing fan this Easter.