Arena backs nine-race series across group's tracks for next year

Arena Racing Company has announced the launch of a new nine-race series designed to provide both professional and amateur female jockeys with the opportunity to participate on nine ladies' days staged at the racecourse group's tracks in 2017.

As well as aiming to provide "high profile racing opportunities for female jockeys" the new Silk Series will also help raise money for Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as a donation of 75p from the sale of each ticket sold for Arc's ladies' days series will be donated to the charity.

Devised by the racecourse group and Cancer Research UK in partnership with the British Horseracing Authority, the Silk Series begins on May 12 at Lingfield and ends on ladies’ day at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting on September 14.