Pantomime Horse Race Raises More Than £40,000 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd

The return of a Pantomime Horse Race held at Chester Racecourse and backed by local businesses has helped to raise more than £40,000 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

Featuring 21 costumed characters, including the Olympic-inspired Moosain Bolt and Mule Runnings, the vital fundraiser preceded a full card of racing at the Liverpool John Lennon Airport Family Fun Day earlier this month.

Run down the final furlong of Chester’s historic track, the line up saw a polar bear, zebra, unicorn and reindeer compete with cows, donkeys, camels and horses to take the pantomime race title.

That accolade went to Humphrey the camel, who stayed intact when others came out of costume, to win the race for Manchester-based business Net Hub.

The money raised from the event, which brought in more than £12,000 when run in 2023, will help the hospice continue to provide end-of-life care and support to local individuals and families.

Caroline Siddall, Director of Income Generation at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, said:

“We would like to thank Chester Racecourse for once again hosting our incredible Pantomime Horse Race for a second year and for all their help and support with this event. We would also like to thank our sponsors and all the businesses who took part. We are so proud of everyone who entered the race this year and who helped the Hospice raise a truly stunning amount of funds to support our community.”

Louise Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Chester Race Company, said: 

“I am delighted that the partnership between Chester Racecourse, the Hospice and local businesses has raised more than £40,000. The Pantomime Horse Race is a great spectacle in itself, it’s great fun for everyone involved but we cannot forget that it has a very serious purpose to raise funds for the Hospice, to ensure it can continue to provide vital services for individuals and families in our local community.

“It is one of several initiatives Chester Race Company is involved in that annually generates around £300,000 of support for charities and the local community.”