NEWS

LADIES DAY AT KELSO


 High fashion returns to the Border track for the annual Ladies Day on Sunday 11^th April with the first race off at 2.20pm, Gates open at 12 o clock with the ever popular Luxury Goody Bags given to the first 200 Ladies through the gates, this spring day promises to be full of fashion and fun. 

Ladies Day at Kelso Races is the highlight of the spring racing calendar, and has become an integral part of the Borders Social diary- an occasion not to be missed.  Kelso Races will be turning pink this year in support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Scotland. Breakthrough is encouraging ladies to dress up (in pink of course!) and have a great day out with their mothers, sisters, daughters and friends -whilst at the same time raising money towards Breakthrough’s vital work in Scotland.

Pamela Walker, Fundraiser for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said “My hope is that the people of the Borders will join us for this fun day and I urge as many people as possible to book tickets!.”

In 2008 Breakthrough Breast Cancer opened Scotland’s first and only dedicated breast cancer research unit in Scotland. Breakthrough has to raise over £1 million a year to fund their research, education and campaigning work in Scotland. 

Louise Grey, of Kelso Races commented “We are delighted to be supporting Breakthrough Breast Cancer at this year’s Ladies Day.  It’s a fantastic cause and one we are proud to be associated with.”

Every year there are new innovations to increase the entertainment value for all ages of Ladies. The boutique marquee is another new innovation to provide a specialist retail opportunity for all the girls present on the day - overflowing with products from Skin care to clothing ranges, all a girl could wish for is in the Kelso Races  Boutique Marquee!

Get Smart, the highly respected Morpeth fashion house have organised a fashion parade in the winners enclosure, taking place throughout the afternoon owner Caroline Renwick will be displaying a selection of her ranges for all shapes and sizes of Ladies for every occasion. 

Bedmax have very generously sponsored the principle race of the day which is run for the Patricia Crawford Memorial Trophy, which is a magnificent Philip Blacker bronze.  Bedmax is one of the great Northumberland success stories; it is ten years since they started and have now provided ten million bags of their dust free product to establishments throughout the world. Bedmax have expanded their business portfolio and are now promoting Hotmax, a new by-product which is an incredibly efficient fuel for wood burning stoves. The Bedmax chase is looking extremely competitive, Waterski is rarely out of the money at Kelso so look out for another big effort from Jean McGregor’s nine-year-old. Harry Flashman is set to represent Donald Whillans while Sammy Spiderman runs for his brother Alistair. 

The KOSB have been a regular supporter of the Border track and have for several years been involved in Ladies Day. This year is no exception, when Colonel George Wood will be in charge of this regimental reunion, which serves to promote the themes in the Barracks in Berwick. Like his father Alistair, George Charlton loves coming to Kelso and he’ll be hoping for better from Ice Image as he has fallen in two of his three chase starts. Barry Murtagh's  Carrietau has already been second and third in previous visits to the borders track. 

Adam Pringle, proprietor of Border Facilities, has developed a very successful business supplying the film industry with back up for on location film shots.  Adam is renowned for tackling any request, no matter how far fetched, for any sort of outside event. Adam will be present to congratulate the winners of the opening Novice Hurdle.  With 44 entrants this is the biggest entry on the card and Shelly Johnstone could give her ex-Irish Langholm raider Soneva Gili his first taste of Kelso. A most interesting possible is Micky Hammond’s Hollins, who was only beaten 14-lengths in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham 

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards have become a regular at Ladies Day and they are supporting the Open Hunter Chase.  General Charles Ramsay and Lt Col Colin Binks will be on hand to do the presentation in what looks as if it will be a very hotly contested Hunter Chase. Vicky Simpson’s veteran Jacksonville is still going strong at 13, the same age as Alison Christmas-trained Ossmoses, who was runner-up in the 2005 Borders National here. Nick Alexander has entered Almost Blue and Noir Et Vert. 

The 4.20 Handicap Hurdle is being generously sponsored by Douglas Pryde and it will be run as a Memorial Race for his great friend and associate Duncan Sinclair. The highly respected Douglas Pryde runs an Independent Financial Advisory service from Bo’ness in West Lothian, a great supporter of Kelso he has been rewarded with a competitive race.  James Ewart has the well-regarded Kelso regular Bishops Heir in the opening novices’ race and in this, while Mini Beck has already been second three times this term for Sandy Thomson’s Lambden yard. 

George F White Land Agent & Property Surveyors have kindly sponsored the closing Bumper of the Day, named The George F White Ladies Away Day. This established firm with offices in Alnwick, Wolsingham, Bedale, Barnard Castle, Tyne Valley, Shiptonthorpe and London, offer a comprehensive range of professional property services that combine the most up to date national market expertise, with a down to earth approach -rooted firmly in commitment to the region. The Shrewd pair Howard Johnson and Alan Swinbank both have multiple entries in this but keep an eye on Karen Mclintock’s Bridlingbygones who was a good third under a penalty here last month. Another highly thought of type is Freddie Brown carrying the famous colour’s of Kelso chairman Johnny Jeffreys. 

Tank Top, who has been disappointing over fences, could be a rare runner at Kelso for Tom George in the 3^rd race. Ailie Tullie may be running her home-bred mare Hathamore, who was an excellent third at Ayr recently in this exciting 2mile 6 furlong novice hurdle.

 

For Further Information:

 

Richard Landale :      01668 281041

Louise Grey :             01668 280800

 

Next Race Meeting:  Wednesday 28^th April- “The Evening Meeting”