Marvel gang and their mounts make a flying visit to home of the Derby

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Evie Tozer, 6, and her miniature Shetland Jim Jam leading the charge as a group of superheroes descended on Epsom Downs.

The daring duo, swooping in to celebrate the return of Epsom’s Superheroes Family Fun Day, which takes place tomorrow, were joined by a super squad of caped crusaders and their ponies. The group hit the hallowed turf to race against retired racehorse Ambivalent About and jockey Lois Williams – with Ruby Beams and her pony Gem passing the post first.

The Epsom meeting will follow the town’s trainers’ open day, which swings into action at 8.30am. Click here for more information

Ruby Beams and Gem get the better of ex-racehorse Ambivalent About and Lois WilliamsCredit: Oliver Dixon / Imagewise

Birkett and Kiely swap the saddle for the studio

Shelley Birkett and Jason Kiely have been awarded the first media traineeships offered by Racecourse Media Group, parent company of Racing UK, and the Jockeys Education Training Scheme (JETS).

The ten-week scheme will cover all aspects of the media, including presentation, punditry, production, digital, marketing and PR. The duo will spend most of their time at RMG’s London bases in Ealing and Victoria.

Shelley Birkett: the winning jockey will be trying her hand at presentingCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Former conditional Jason, who starts the course next month, says: “To have been chosen for this traineeship is a dream come true for me. It really is an excellent initiative and having more ex-jockeys involved in the media will prove advantageous.”

Birkett, who has ridden 77 winners on the Flat, will start the scheme on November 7.

“The training will hopefully stand me in good stead for a career in the media and I feel very fortunate to be given this opportunity,” says Shelley.

Green and orange v green and gold in clash of the hemispheres

Rachael Blackmore and Donagh Meyler will be flying the Irish flag in Australia next week when taking on Martin Kelly and Shane Jackson in the annual Australia v Ireland Jockey Challenge.

The competition, now in its 31st consecutive year – with 41 contests having taken place over recent decades – has been won by Ireland 25 times, with Australia winning 15 and the teams drawing once.
The quartet will draw battle lines at Murray Bridge on Wednesday, before the second and final leg at Morphetville’s Irish Day on Saturday.

Champion conditional Rachael Blackmore will make up one half of the Irish team down underCredit: Patrick McCann

Thoroughbred Racing SA CEO Jim Watters says: “The Australia v Ireland Jockey Challenge is always highly anticipated by both the jockeys and the spectators, and while we are thrilled to be welcoming two up and coming stars of Irish jumps racing to Australian shores, we hope that the Australian team can reverse last year’s result and keep the Challenge trophy in Australia this time around.”

Southwell the place for murder mystery fans

Glenis Wilson, author of the Harry Radcliffe series, will be signing copies of her novels at Southwell racecourse on Wednesday, September 6, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

The author has just completed the fourth instalment in the series, which follows champion jump jockey Harry Radcliffe who, in true racing crime novel fashion, deftly combines death defying antics both on and off course. Readers can catch up with the drama so far in Dead Certainty, Dead On Course and Dead Reckoning, all of which will be available at Southwell.