Nottingham Racecourse under starter’s orders for new £1 million season

The starting stalls are about to fly open again at Nottingham Racecourse as Britain’s 2015 Flat racing season gets under way. And for the first time ever, more than £1 million in prize-money will be won at the Colwick Park track
By RICHARD SILVERWOOD
Published 30th Mar 2015, 12:29 BST
UNDER STARTER'S ORDERS -- a new Flat racing season gets under way at Nottingham on Wednesday 8th April (PHOTO BY: Simon Cooper/PA Wire).UNDER STARTER'S ORDERS -- a new Flat racing season gets under way at Nottingham on Wednesday 8th April (PHOTO BY: Simon Cooper/PA Wire).
UNDER STARTER'S ORDERS -- a new Flat racing season gets under way at Nottingham on Wednesday 8th April (PHOTO BY: Simon Cooper/PA Wire).

The racecourse has an exciting schedule of 23 fixtures -- an increase of two on 2014 -- between April and November. With a number of the meetings being at weekends and six in the evening, there is plenty of choice for seasoned racegoers and once-a-year visitors alike.

General manager James Knox said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back on Wednesday 8th April for what looks to be a mouthwatering start to our 2015 season during the Easter school holidays.

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“It is a great delight to welcome all the top jockeys to Nottingham on a regular basis, while the support we receive from trainers, including the top Newmarket yards, is terrific.

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“Everyone is welcome at Nottingham Racecourse, and our four Saturday and Sunday meetings in particular are designed with families in mind.”

The seasonal launch-day next week features the high-class £40,000 Totepool EBF Stallions Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes. The one-and-three-quarter-mile race, which attracts quality older horses, is in memory of the late, popular grey horse Further Flight, who raced in the 1990s at a high level and whose final victory was at Nottingham.

The race is also now named in honour of Further Flight’s trainer Barry Hills, who retired in 2011. Hills will be at the racecourse to present the trophy to the owner of the winning horse.

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The Further Flight Stakes is the first of three Listed races to be run at Colwick Park in 2015. The others are the EBF-sponsored Kilvington Fillies’ Stakes on Ladies’ Day on Saturday 9th May and the new Nottinghamshire Oaks on Wednesday 3rd June.

Calendar highlights in 2015 also include a Community Day on Saturday 18th April, with admission just £5 in advance; Beer Festival on Friday evening 8th May, with free entry for 9th May ticket holders; Family Day on Sunday 31st May; Nottingham Forest Legends Night on Monday 15th June; 80s Night on Saturday evening 4th July, with 1989 Grandstand admission prices; ‘Nottingham Means Business’ Day on Friday 17th July; Ladies’ Day number two on Friday 14th August; and The Jockey Club Grassroots Finals Day on Wednesday 30th September.

Related topics:Nottingham RacecourseBritain