Southwell marks 30 years of all-weather racing with vibrant Irish Night

Southwell racecourse marked 30 years of all-weather racing on Saturday evening by staging a successful Irish night at the recently floodlit Rolleston track.

The eight-race card featured some former equine stars of the Fibresand circuit and live music after racing from The Wild Murphys.

The former stars included 15-time course winner General Tufto and Crosse Fire, who has won 13 times at the track where he is still in training with now resident handler Scott Dixon.

Mark Clayton, executive director at Southwell, said: "Our Fibresand track is the longest-serving all-weather surface in the country and we enjoyed celebrating the achievement with a special racenight.

"We enjoyed a good turnout for the biggest night we've had here under lights. It was great to see some former stars who have made Southwell so special."

Southwell legend General Tufto paraded at the track

The celebration of three decades of action began the previous night with a fundraising dinner featuring racing personalities Derek Thompson and Bob Champion.

The evening supported Champion's Cancer Trust, which has so far raised over £15 million and featured stories from his glittering career as a jump jockey, including his fairytale Grand National win on Aldaniti in 1981 – months after he had beaten cancer himself.

Crystal Pool, the first winner on the all-weather at Southwell, was ridden by then apprentice Frankie Dettori, who donated a signed pair of riding goggles for the auction.

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