Some of the country’s top huntsmen will take part in a Flat race at Ascot next month to raise money for the Countryside Alliance’s repeal fund.
The Huntsman’s Race for Repeal at Ascot’s Countryside Day on 18 April will run over seven furlongs before racing starts.
Taking part are Julian Barnfield, Heythrop; Michael Scott, Old Berks; David Trotman, Vine and Craven; Steve Burton, Hursley Hambledon; Mark Bycroft, Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent; Phillip Hague, VWH; Tony Holdsworth, Duke of Beaufort’s; Mick Wills, Grafton; Tony Wright, Exmoor, and Donald Summersgill, Devon and Somerset Staghounds.
Each huntsman has teamed up with a local trainer.
Clever money might be on David Trotman, who held an amateur jockey’s licence in the early 1970s and is taking his training very seriously.
“I’m riding out for John Hills several times a week and will be on one of his horses in the race,” said David, who is also working out at the Injured Jockeys’ Fund’s Oaksey House in Lambourn twice a week.
Julian Barnfield came fourth in his last charity race at Towcester seven years ago.
He will start riding out each day for Charlie Longsdon once the hunting season has finished and will race in the colours of Philip Hobbs.
And although his training has not started in earnest yet, Tony Wright seems the most determined.
“My challenge will be getting the others to close the gates behind me, they’ll be so far behind,” he joked.
Tony will ride for Lady Caroline Gosling.
To sponsor any of the huntsmen, go to www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/raceforrepeal
This article was first published in Horse & Hound (4 March, ’10)
