With just one week to go until the MarathonbetFestival of Racing, Brighton Racecourse have marked the occasion with a unique photograph staged at the city’s iconic Royal Pavilion with former Cheltenhamwinner Sire de Grugy along with Lucie Moore a member ofracing’s famous Moore family from Sussex and Executive Director of Brighton Racecourse, Paul Ellison.
The Royal Pavilion, which was home to George IV a horse lover and regular at Brighton Racecourse - one of the oldest sporting venues in Sussex dating back to 1783 - provided a fitting backdrop to start the countdown to one of the biggest events in the local sporting calendar.
The three-day Festival, which this year runs from 7th - 9th August, includes The Bombardier Brighton Mile Challenge, Brighton’s richest race, on Wednesday 7th August and the ever-popular Ladies Day on Thursday 8th. The racing comes to an exciting close on Friday 9th with the Festival Finale.
Lucie, married to Jamie Moore who famously rode Sir de Grugy to victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 2014 is part of the family’s successful training and racing set up based in West Sussex. She gave the now retired racehorse a trot around the grounds of the most famous building in Brighton as excitement builds towards the Festival.
She commented:
“The MarathonbetFestival of Racing is the one of the most popular experiencesin the racing calendar at one of the country’s most unique race courses. The picturesque views over the countryside and the sea mean there really isn’t anywhere else like it.
It was fitting to start the countdown to this year’s festival at somewhere equally unique and spectacular. Despite riding and winning at some of the biggest race courses in the country I don’t think Sir de Grugy has experienced anything quite like the Royal Pavilion.”
Looking ahead to this year’s event, Paul Ellison Executive Director of Brighton Racecourse, added:
“Having been here for over 230 years we are very much part of what makes Brighton such a unique and vibrant place. Our three-day racing fixture is a fantastic eventfor the city with stunning views, the prettiest racecourse you’re likely to see, and some great racing.
The famous Brighton Mile is always a great way to kick off the Festival, then we’ve got Ladies Day with the Brighton Challenge Cup, which dates back to 1889 beforewe finish with the big Festival Finale which is always popular. With the racing, live bands and entertainment, it promises to be a memorable three days.”
