Racecourse to Host Pantomime Horse Race for Charity

Chester Racecourse is to host a race with a difference on Saturday 16 September, with a special fundraiser for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd taking place prior to the main card of racing.

If you’ve ever fancied running down the final furlong and winning a race at the world’s oldest racecourse, then here’s your opportunity, as businesses and individuals are being sought to participate in a pantomime horse race on Autumn Festival Saturday.

You could be the winner of the hospice derby, the best presented horse, the highest fundraising horse, or maybe just the best dressed owner of the pantomime horse!

Either way, this is a fantastic opportunity to raise vital funds for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, helping the charity to continue providing end-of-life care and support to local individuals and families.

Packages to compete in the pantomime horse race, sponsored by Centric Energy Solutions, are available now via the Hospice of the Good Shepherd website here.

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

“This is going to be a bit special – a proper spectacle and a lot of fun but for a really serious and worthwhile cause.

“Support from the community has already been quite incredible. Local businesses and other organisations have either bought or sponsored the horses and provided the pairs of runners. They also get to name and dress up their own horse.

“This will be something really special to be part of. It’s a safe bet that this will be a real spectacle to remember and one that will massively benefit the work of the hospice team.

“There’s still time to enter and I hope that other local businesses will want to be part of the fun.”

Louise Stewart, Chief Executive at Chester Racecourse, commented:

“The work of the hospice within our local community is so important. Most of us know someone – a loved one, colleague or neighbour – who has benefitted from the skills and commitment of the hospice team. As soon as the idea of the pantomime horse race was mentioned, we knew we wanted to get behind it.”

The closing date for race entries is Monday 11 September. For further information, please call the hospice fundraising team on 01244 851811 or click here.