HORSE RACING: RACEGOERS have been invited to start their New Year’s Eve celebrations early as Warwick Racecourse prepares to host its final fixture of the calendar year.
A sell-out crowd is expected for the New Year’s Eve Raceday, after more than 6,500 people made their way through the turnstiles for last year’s fixture.
The afternoon will include seven races, with the gates open from 10.30am, the first race at 12.30pm and last at 3.40pm.
Entertainment will include a magician, stilt walkers, music from DJ Les Bucks and an hour long performance from a Tina Turner tribute act following the final race.
The New Year’s Eve Raceday is expected to push 2017 visitor numbers to more than 40,000, the highest number of racegoers since 2011, when the racecourse hosted five more fixtures.
In 2017, more than 1,000 horses have raced for a total of £1.2 million in prize money, with the highlight being One For Arthur’s win in the Betfred Classic Chase and subsequent victory in the 2017 Grand National.
Andre Klein, general manager at Warwick Racecourse, said: “The popularity of our New Year’s Eve fixture is growing year-on-year and is fast becoming the standout raceday on our calendar.
“The New Year’s Eve fixture is the perfect opportunity for racegoers to start their end-of-year celebrations early and we will be looking to end the year in the best way possible, by putting on a raceday to remember.”
The day will also celebrate another successful year for local trainer Dan Skelton.
Skelton leads this season’s leading trainer chart at the course, having secured eight winners at Warwick already.
Skelton said: “I am delighted to be able to support our local track Warwick and it’s brilliant for the team to have enjoyed such great success there in the last year.
“We enjoy coming to Warwick as they do a wonderful job, the owners are well looked after and the race programme is good.
“We will be looking forward to making plenty of visits to Warwick Racecourse in 2018 and hopefully enjoying plenty more success.”
