Police appeal for witnesses after racegoer assaulted in Cheltenham car park

A female racegoer sustained a fractured foot when she was assaulted in a car park at Cheltenham racecourse last week, according to Gloucestershire Police.

An appeal has been put out for witnesses to the altercation in the green car park prior to the running of the last race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, Friday, March 18.

In a statement, the police said: “Between 5.15pm and 5.30pm, a woman was assaulted by a man where she was pushed over and sustained a fractured foot.

“It is thought that there were witnesses that intervened at the time but no details were exchanged. Investigating officers would like to speak to those who offered the woman help, and anyone who witnessed the incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police through its website, quoting incident 381.

Autism In Racing boosted by donation from Horserace Writers & Photographers

Autism In Racing has received a £2,000 donation from the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association, paid for out of the surplus from the Derby Awards lunch last December.

Bobby Beevers, who founded and runs the organisation which raises awareness of autism and offers support to those with the condition, said: "I can't describe to you how grateful we are. This will make sure we have more autism-friendly days, with more racecourses taking part. This means the absolute world to me."

HWPA president David Cleary said: "We are a non-profit organisation so we always support a good cause if the funds allow and this is a very good cause.

"We know from Bobby's time on our committee how devoted he is to Autism In Racing and now that he is leaving us to concentrate on that body we are delighted to be able to support his efforts, thanks to all the contributions of those who attended the Derby Awards and our sponsors."

Autism in Racing founder has big plans after 'phenomenal' first year

World Cup in World Pool

Eight races on the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan will feature in the World Pool, which combines the best action from around the globe with the Hong Kong Jockey Club's betting operation, to create deep and liquid pari-mutuel pools.

Commingling began with Royal Ascot in 2019 and has since expanded to include meetings such as 2,000 Guineas day at Newmarket and the Derby card as well as the World Cup.

The Godolphin Mile through to the World Cup itself will be World Pool races on Saturday, offering win, place, Quinella, Quinella Place and Tierce betting.

Sir Mark Todd hearing adjourned

The hearing into whether Sir Mark Todd engaged in conduct prejudicial to the reputation of the sport, after video footage emerged last month of the trainer striking a horse with a branch multiple times in a cross-country schooling session, was adjourned on Thursday morning.

Legal arguments were scheduled to begin at 10am but the hearing was adjourned an hour and a half later by James O'Mahony, chair of the independent disciplinary panel, due to "legal issues which have required careful consideration".

Todd's trainer's licence was temporarily suspended on February 16 while investigations continued into the video footage. A new date for the hearing is yet to be finalised.

Todd, who has saddled 14 winners from 133 runners since beginning training in Britain in August 2019, last month issued a public apology and stepped down as patron of charity World Horse Welfare.

Record £10 million prize-money at York

York has announced a record prize fund of £10 million for the 18 days of the 2022 season.

Tthe investment is some £1.2m higher than the pre-pandemic season of 2019 and surpasses the equivalent figure for last year by £2.4m.

Every race will be worth at least £15,000, with significant increases on all racedays over a broad range of contests.

York chairwoman Bridget Guerin said: "We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, racegoers and partners that allows York to make this commitment of £10m in prize-money to British racing."

Molly Dingwall appointed new general manager at Haydock

Molly Dingwall has been appointed new general manager at Haydock following nearly four years in the same role at Carlisle.

Dingwall, 31, will make the move between the two Jockey Club tracks in the coming weeks, with Haydock due to start its Flat season on April 23.

Dickon White, the Jockey Club's north-west regional director, said: "In the four years that Molly has been general manager at Carlisle she's done a fantastic job, particularly during the recent period of managing a racecourse through the challenges of a pandemic.

"Anyone who has met Molly will know the energy, enthusiasm and passion she has for horseracing and I'm really looking forward to her taking over at Haydock Park, which has a catchment area full of really knowledgeable sports fans and loyal racegoers.

"Running a dual Flat and jumps track provides extra challenges and Molly's experience of this at Carlisle will prove invaluable as she takes on her new role."

Dingwall, who began her career in racing as sales and events co-ordinator at Perth, joined the Jockey Club as a business development executive in 2015 and was appointed group trainee general manager the following year.

She said: "I've had a fabulous four years at Carlisle and will forever be grateful to the team here and across the Jockey Club for the support they've shown me in my first permanent general manager role.

"I'm now absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity at Haydock Park, a racecourse which stages Group 1 and Grade 1 racing on the Flat and over jumps.

"I've been passionate about putting Carlisle right at the heart of the local community and I'm really excited to have the chance to do the same at another racecourse with such a rich history and engaged fanbase."

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