After a hugely successful inaugural year, which culminated in winning the 2022 ‘Racing Connection’ Showcase Award, the ‘Ripon Racecourse Stables Championship’ returns for the 2023 season in partnership with Titanium Racing. The stable staff of the yard that accrues the highest points total across the 2023 season will be crowned Champions and receive a £5000 cash prize, with £2000 going to the runners-up and £1000 to the third placed team.
Starting at the opening meeting on Thursday 20th April and running across all 17 fixtures until the season finale on Saturday 30th September four points will be awarded for each race winner, three points for second, two points for third and one point for fourth with five points and a £50 cash prize awarded to each Best Turned Out winner.
In 2022 the £5000 first prize went to Tim Easterby’s yard, who had an incredible 22 winners over 17 fixtures. £2000 went to Mark Johnston’s team with £1000 going to Ben Haslam’s stable.
Jonathan Mullin, Operations, Marketing + Clerk of the Course at Ripon Racecourse said:
“The Stables Championship was very well received last year and it was fantastic that the initiative was recognised with a Showcase Award. It’s crucial that we recognise the hard work that stable staff do and we reward that by offering a decent prize over the course of the season, in addition to the £50 cash prize we give to the Best Turned Out winner of each race.
“It’s great to team up with our friends at Titanium Racing on the project and it’s going be fascinating to see if anyone can challenge last year’s runaway winners, Team Tim Easterby”.
Megan O’Brien, Racing Manager of Titanium Racing said:
“Stable Staff are an integral part of the sport. It is no easy job and they put so much effort into their roles, the horses are given the best care and they treat them as their own. It really is special to see the relationships formed between horses and grooms, the dedication is greatly appreciated and we’re delighted to show our appreciation by sponsoring the Stables Championship.
“It was a great initiative starting last year as shown by Ripon winning an RCA Showcase award and hopefully it continues for a long time”.
