Festive feel to Southwell Racecourse's first Gentlemen's Day

Reindeers Mistletoe and Chester pose for photos with a youngster and his mum.

Lots of extra attractions lured people through the turnstiles, including an appearance by former world snooker champion Joe Johnson, who took on racegoers at pool to raise money for the military charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which is dedicated to supporting children who have lost a parent serving in the British Armed Forces. Among those who beat him was eight-year-old William Jack, who duly won two tickets to the next World Snooker Championships at The Crucible in Sheffield.

Children from Lowe’s Wong Infant School in Southwell sang Christmas carols before racing on the grandstand steppings overlooking the course, while Irish band, The Wild Murphys, entertained at regular intervals throughout the day.

The meeting’s runners and riders even included a couple of reindeer, Mistletoe and Chester, who were taken along by The Phoenix Children’s Foundation charity, which raises funds for youngsters who are terminally ill or disabled or who have special needs. The reindeer posed for photos with racegoers.

As for the racing itself, a good seven-race card included impressive victories by the Dan Skelton-trained Late Night Lily in the mares’ handicap hurdle and by the Tom George-trained Sandymount in the maiden hurdle. There was also a double for jockey Gavin Sheehan, who was among several top riders at the track. Others included the reigning champion, Richard Johnson.

Southwell hosts two more festive fixtures in the coming weeks -- on Tuesday, December 20 and Thursday, December 29, followed by popular meetings on New Year’s Day and Bank Holiday Monday, January 2.