Trainers pitch in for launch of racing club with a difference

A handful of the great and good of the Lambourn training ranks were in attendance at an enjoyable evening in the Queens Arms in nearby East Garston on Wednesday – it's a surprise more weren't there, given that the launch of the pub's racing club was marked with free wine and champagne tasting.

The brainchild of the establishment's popular owner Freddie Tulloch, whose parents owned 1985 Hennessy hero Galway Blaze, the club is a unique way of getting people involved in racing in a baby-steps manner, perhaps with the odd glass of Marmora Cannonau di Sardegna on the way.

Tulloch has persuaded 21 of the area's trainers and Newmarket's Ed Dunlop to nominate a horse from their yards for the club to follow for the season – without any stinging vet bills.