It’s the biggest day of the season at Warwick Racecourse on Saturday 14th January, when the seven-race programme is headlined by the £100,000 Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase.
Staged over three miles and five furlongs and one of four races televised live on ITV Racing, the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023 and a new trophy has been commissioned to mark this special milestone.
The 2017 Classic Chase winner One For Arthur created history by going on to win the Grand National at Aintree later in the same season and the now 14 year old will be returning to parade at Warwick. Three jockeys successful in the race’s long history will also be returning to Warwick – Ian Watkinson, who partnered the 1976 winner Jolly’s Clump, Gerry Gracey who was onboard Colonel Christy in 1981 and Kevin Mooney, who was in the saddle on 1983 winner Bonum Omen.
Throughout the day there will be prizes for racegoers in the Best Dressed Classic Racing Attire.
The main supporting race is the Grade Two Hampton Novices’ Chase over three miles, which is now sponsored by eventmasters.co.uk following the abandonment of their race at Warwick last month due to the cold weather.
Denise Sheasby, CEO at Eventmasters Group, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Hampton Novice Chase. Our association with Jockey Club Racecourses and with Warwick in particular goes back over many years and it is great to be involved in a meeting that will provide significant pointers to The Cheltenham Festival.”
Tommy Williams, General Manager at Warwick Racecourse, commented: “Wigley Group Classic Chase Day is always the highlight of the season here at Warwick and we are delighted to be celebrating the golden anniversary of the big race itself in 2023.
“It is great that One For Arthur will be returning to parade. With three Classic Chase-winning jockeys from the past also in attendance it really is a day to celebrate this great race and all the memories of the last half-century.
“Our ticket sales are already up on where we were at this time in 2022 and a great day looks guaranteed.”
To book tickets for Wigley Group Classic Chase Day, please head to https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/warwick/events-tickets/classic-chase-day/tickets/
