In form Herefordshire trainer, Kerry Lee is one of twelve riders taking place in a charity flat race on Tuesday’s card at Hereford in order to raise funds for St. Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.
Racegoers at Hereford’s last fixture of the season will be treated to the additional race at 5.00pm, following the conclusion of the day’s racing. The first of the six National Hunt races will start at 2pm with gates opening on the day at 12pm midday.
St. Michael’s Hospice opened its doors to their first patients in 1984 and have been providing much need quality care ever since. They have a range of services that not only help patients live a better quality of life for long, but also provide support to families.
Hereford Racecourse Executive Director, Rebecca Davies said; “We are delighted to be supporting St. Michael’s Hospice with a charity race and hope to raise a significant amount of money to support the fantastic work that they continue to do within our community, through the race and other events on the day.”
Paddy Nugent, Community Fundraising Manager for St Michael’s says; “Everyone at St Michael’s is looking forward to the Race Day. We’re sure it will be a memorable occasion. The Charity Flat Race promises to be an exciting end to the day and we would like to say a huge thank you to the 12 riders taking part.
“This is new territory for many of them, and they have each gone to great lengths already to raise money for their Hospice. We wish them well and hope everyone attending has an enjoyable afternoon.”
The full list of riders in the charity flat race include:
| Rider | Rider Biography | |
| 1 | Justin Bond | Justin runs a Shropshire landscaping company and is aged 43. He rode as an amateur and professional jockey with Richard Lee and also rode in 2 point to points. Having lost his grandmother 2 years ago, Justin and his family appreciate the important work achieved by both St Michael’s and other hospices across the UK and are pleased to give something back. |
| 2 | Joanne Bowkett | It is a dream come true for Jo to ride in this charity race, having ridden all of her life and competed in all disciplines. She currently has 2 point to pointers that she trains on a daily basis including schooling over jumps and this will be her debut on the racecourse. |
| 3 | Anita Cook | Anita has worked in racing for 35 years and ridden both on the Flat and in point to points. She currently breaks and trains Arabians as well as flat racehorses and Anita also enjoys training eventers. |
| 4 | Nana Dalton | Nana has competed at both Badminton and Burghley as well as winning the 04 Nations Cup in Belgium and is relishing the challenge to take part in this race. A talented Event Rider who is preparing for Badminton with this race! |
| 5 | Jordan Devlin | Jordan has ridden all of her life and enjoys hunting and eventing. She has been employed as a work rider for the last 10 years and always enjoys supporting St Michael’s in any way she can in recent years. |
| 6 | Louise Harwood | Louise is a 4* event rider competing at Badminton and Burghley. She is also a riding instructor and is enjoying supporting a charity so close to so many local people’s hearts. |
| 7 | Kerry Lee | Kerry is a licensed Racehorse Trainer and has ridden racehorses all of her life, having grown up on a racing yard. Kerry competed as a child both eventing and show jumping and is passionate about supporting St Michael’s. |
| 8 | Kate Mills | Kate has spent a lifetime with horses but this race challenge pushes her way out of her comfort zone with a dressage and eventing background. Having lost a friend last Christmas unexpectedly with their final weeks spent in St Michael’s, Kate is delighted to be able to support the hospice having witnessed first-hand how remarkable, special and critical this charity is. |
| 9 | Ireland Pearson | Ireland is a full-time stable lass at local trainer Sarah-Jayne Davies’s and competed up to BE90 as a youngster. She also regularly hunts on her ex-point to pointer and is delighted to support her local hospice. |
| 10 | Belinda Rose | Belinda is an equine veterinary surgeon based in Newmarket. She evented and hunted regularly before moving to South Africa and has also competed in endurance races in the UAE. Belinda enjoys fundraising (having previously completed the London Marathon) and is fully aware of the vital services provided by local hospices having lost 2 grandparents. She is grateful for the opportunity to raise money and awareness of the phenomenal work hospices provide at extremely difficult times. |
| 11 | Jessica Short | Jess has ridden all of her life both eventing and hunting, and worked in racing for the past 7 years. Currently Jess assists her partner running a point to point yard. Having always wanted to ride in a charity race, Jess will be enjoying her debut on the racecourse. It is especially meaningful for her having seen a very close family friend utilise the hospice less than 12 months ago. |
| 12 | Lucy Worrall | Lucy is a full-time stable lass at local trainer Henry Oliver’s and has always wanted to ride in a charity race. She is delighted to support such a great local charity and this will be Lucy’s debut on the racecourse. |
The fundraising efforts for St. Michael’s Hospice will also include a fundraising luncheon in the Rusty Bridge Restaurant throughout the raceday, including a three-course meal, which has sold out.
Hereford Racecourse will also be donating £1 per advanced ticket sold to the raceday to the charity.
Tickets are available on the gate for £18 or book in advance for only £17 including the £1 donation to the charity.
