5th March 2010
Dramatic Victory for Newbury Racecourse’s Young Gun
Up and coming jump jockey Felix de Giles and ambassador to Newbury Racecourse’s “Club Newbury”, provided racegoers with a popular home win today in a pulsating photo finish at the Berkshire track.
Racing in the totesport Supports West Berkshire Mencap National Hunt Novices Hurdle Race; locals cheered on de Giles and his mount Bai Zhu who eventually were declared the winners of the photo finish. Bai Zhu is also trained by Lambourn based Nicky Henderson and owned by the Perfect Day Partnership whose manager, Sasha Thorbeck-Hooper, is a former employee of the racecourse.
“I was not sure if we had won after the line, but Bai Zhu kept running on and I’m delighted for everyone associated with the win today, it’s a real home victory for Newbury,” commented Felix.
Felix de Giles may be better recognised among the new breed of racing fans increasingly making their way to Newbury Racecourse. Club Newbury is the course’s exclusive members’ club for 18-25 year olds* and uses Felix as the young face of racing as part of its sponsorship of the talented young jockey.
The win comes at an exciting time for Felix, with just two weeks before the Cheltenham Festival, the Olympics of jump racing, Felix is hoping to have several live contenders to ride over the prestigious four day event. Felix will also return to Newbury Racecourse tomorrow where he will be riding Au Courant in the feature race the Raymond Mould Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase.
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