Some of the leading names in horseracing have joined employees at Sandown Park and members of the local community as part of an ambitious fundraising challenge to walk 150 consecutive laps of the Surrey racecourse over five days.
The event was organised to mark Sandown Park’s 150th anniversary, with the goal of raising awareness and funds for the Community Fund for Elmbridge.
The Community Fund is managed by the Surrey Community Foundation and was launched this year as part of Sandown Park Racecourse’s 150th anniversary celebrations to provide a vital, long-term source of funding for local charities and community groups in the Elmbridge area.
A core team from Sandown Park and The Jockey Club, which owns and runs the Surrey track, has been walking day and night since Saturday 28th June, ensuring laps are finished round the clock until the 150th circuit has been completed tomorrow (Wednesday).
The five-day challenge has a different theme each day:
• Saturday 28th June – Community Day
• Sunday 29th June – The Jockey Club Friends & Family Day
• Monday 30th June – Horseracing Industry Day
• Tuesday 1st July – The Jockey Club Work & Walk Day
• Wednesday 2nd July – Esher & Final Laps Day
On Monday a number of British racing’s stakeholders joined the walk, ranging from jockeys and racing broadcasters to sponsors and charity partners.
Sarah Drabwell, General Manager of Sandown Park, said: “We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received, not only the local community but the wider racing family in helping us complete this challenge.
“It’s been an exceptionally hot few days and we’re really grateful to everyone who has taken the time to join us on the walk, donate and help us spread the word about the Community Fund, from which local charities will benefit by receiving grants.
“We’re passionate about the role our racecourse plays in the local community and what we can give back and our 150th anniversary has provided a great opportunity to demonstrate that. We hope as many people as possible can join us for our last lap tomorrow (Wednesday 2nd July) at 1pm.”
Among those joining the walk on Monday were ex-rider Jamie Moore, whose jockey brothers Ryan and Josh, and trainer father Gary have enjoyed tremendous success at Sandown Park over the years.
Moore said: "It's a very special racecourse and we've had a lot of success here. Growing up as a kid the Tingle Creek was the main race out of all the races that I really wanted to win and luckily enough we won it twice with Sire De Grugy so that meant a lot.
"I think racecourses are brilliant for communities. Like cricket clubs and pubs, racecourses provide places for people to go to socialise. You want kids to be able to go racing and enjoy it with their parents and grandparents.”
Jamie Moore
Flat jockeys Jim Crowley and Billy Loughnane also completed laps on Monday, just five days before this year’s Coral-Eclipse, a race worth £1 million in prize money and one of the most prestigious in the sport.
Crowley said: “Sandown’s been a lucky track for me and I won the Coral-Eclipse on Ulysses back in 2017. It was a photo finish and we had to walk in front of the grandstand for about 10 minutes before the photo was called. I have fond memories of the race. I’ve always enjoyed riding round Sandown and hopefully I’ll be here on Saturday in the big one.
“Racecourses play a massive role in their communities. They bring people out to come and watch horseracing. It’s a great day for people to get dressed up and watch the horses, see the jockeys. It brings people together and it’s nice that racing can put something back in as well. This walk and the initiative is a really good idea and it’s nice to be a part of it.”
Billy Loughnane
Racing broadcaster Nick Luck recorded his hugely popular podcast from the Esher track on Monday and said: “Sandown Park has been very close to my heart pretty much my entire life. When I was a child it was always considered a treat to go to Sandown – this was the special place you came for what was always going to be a memorable day.
“When I was a student in London, the first thing I did was take out a junior annual membership which I coveted. I never missed a meeting. I even came back from studying in Paris to watch the Coral-Eclipse in 2000 to see Giant’s Causeway beating Kalanisi in probably the best horse race I’ve ever seen on the Flat.
“Sandown is just the perfect place to watch top class horseracing, whether it’s Flat or Jump racing. It’s been ahead of its time in many respects and unique in its layout and the rhythm of a raceday. I love this place and hope it flourishes for another century and a half.”
Nick Luck
Simon Clare, Group Director of PR for Coral, who celebrate their 50th consecutive year of sponsoring the Eclipse in 2025, added: "Sandown Park boasts arguably the best viewing experience of any course in the UK. From the stands you can see London in the distance on a clear day but it's a beautiful track to watch racing at too with some brilliant Flat and Jump racing throughout the year.
"As a racing experience it's fantastic, it's affordable and has a great grandstand. Whether you're coming for fun, a drink, socialising in the sun on the lawn or here for the quality of the racing, Sandown really does have something for everyone.
"Racecourses have got a huge role to play in their local communities and the way they can connect with the people living around the site, particularly in a town like Esher and with a huge population within five to 10 miles of Sandown Park. To engage with them and promote everything that's good about the racecourse is really important. It's not just a racing venue, it's great for conferences and meetings and any kind of reception. Also, the heritage is fantastic - the fact that it's 150 years old is something to be celebrated."
To donate to the Community Fund for Elmbridge as part of Sandown Park’s 150th anniversary celebrations visit:
https://cfsurrey.enthuse.com/cf/community-fund-for-elmbridge
