Friday, 14th October 2016 – Racing returned to Wincanton today with top sports presenter - John Inverdale – taking on the unveiling of The Last Fence – a sculpture especially commissioned to mark the start of the 2016 / 2017 season in which the course will celebrate 150 years of racing.
The Last Fence, created by local artist Clare Tupman, stands over three metres high – similar to the height of a 16.2 racehorse when jumping.
Speaking at the unveiling, John Inverdale said: “National Hunt racing is an amazing spectacle.
“The power and the enormity of horses jumping over fences is often lost in horseracing.
“This sculpture captures the favour and the feeling and the passion of jump racing, and Clare has done such a fantastic job in four months to create this masterpiece.
“I hope The Last Fence becomes the emblem of Wincanton Racecourse going forward.”
Huw Williams, General Manager for Wincanton Racecourse, added: “John Inverdale is the voice of sport and his passion for horseracing was evident today with his heart-felt words.
“Wincanton has much to celebrate this season and our opening meeting in the sunshine successfully attracted many racegoers who benefited from the mid-week one enclosure.”
Wincanton is next racing on Sunday, 23rd October for the Combat Stress Families and Armed Forces Raceday. Gates open at 11am with the first race scheduled for 1:50pm.
To book tickets visit wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk or call 0344 579 3014.
About Wincanton Racecourse:
Wincanton Racecourse is situated in the heart of Somerset – home to rural jump racing. Wincanton stages 18 meetings each season. Please find more details at wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk and through Twitter (@WincantonRaces) and Facebook facebook.com/WincantonRaces
Wincanton Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2015: £174.2m), attendances (2015: 1.95m), total prize money (2015: £43.9m), contribution to prize money (2015: £19.9m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
For further information please contact:
Hannah Walker, Wincanton Racecourse on 07971 598287 or hannahwalker@localdial.com
