A day at the races in Newton Abbot
Over 80 members, from u3a's as far away as Penzance and Sturminster Newton, gathered at Newton Abbot racecourse for a day at the races.
Dee negotiated tickets into the Paddock area for only £10pp. Everyone was greeted and given a name badge then Dee welcomed us into our private area in the Grandstand building. Here we heard from former Grand National winning jockey and now Trainer, Jimmy Frost, who gave tips on likely winners for each of the six races.
Visit to Jimmy Frost's racing stables
24 members from seven u3a's, as far afield as Penzance, were warmly welcomed by Jimmy Frost and his son, Dan, to their stables in Buckfastleigh.
As well as horses he trains for owners, and for his own Racing Club, he looks after 4 retired famous race horses
including Black Corton and Frodon. The horses are so well looked after, every one of them glistening in their shiny coats.
We watched Phillipa, a stable hand, platting Frodon's mane and showing us how they 'dress' the horses prior to taking them into the Paddock before they race.
At Many of us went to Buckfast Abbey for lunch where Jim and his wife Nikki chatted to members at the end of a thoroughly enjoyable and educational day.
Hospitality day at Newton Abbot race course
What a fabulous day out for all 40 of us
attending the Hospitality day at Newton
Abbot on Wednesday. The forecast was for a ‘moderate breeze’ and sunny intervals ... however, whilst we tried putting name badges in order, the ‘strong’ winds sent the Gazebo flying and the badges had a mind of their own!
Connor Shoemark, former jump jockey who retired in October 2020 with a total of 103 victories, came in to give us his tips for each race. Jimmy Frost, former Grand National winning jockey and now Trainer in Buckfastleigh, popped in a couple of times and gave us his tips too.
Our room was set up with four large tables and by the time I arrived members were happily introducing themselves and
enjoying a tea or coffee. We had a delicious finger buffet for lunch, followed by a cream tea in the afternoon.
The room had sufficient balcony space for everyone to go out and watch the horses race over the finish line. A lady from theTote came in to take our bets and Connor took those who wanted to go down to the last fence for the third race.