13.02.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL, RACING AT AINTREE

Trainers named for 2009 People's Race

Grand National sponsor John Smith’s has announced the 16 professional trainers who will be involved in this year’s John Smith’s People’s Race, the event that gives ten amateur riders the unique opportunity to compete in a charity flat race at Aintree on Grand National Day.

10 trainers have been recruited to join the high-quality ranks for the first time this year, including Nicky Henderson, Alan King, Jonjo O’Neill and Howard Johnson. All 16 of the novice jockeys who have been selected to train for the 2009 People’s Race will be encouraged to ride out at the yards as often as possible and the tuition and experience they gain on the gallops will be crucial to their chances of success.

Trainer Jonjo O’Neil, who is tutoring Craig Brown, licensee of The Plough Inn at Ford, Cheltenham, is clearly impressed by the ability and determination he has seen in Craig to date. “We are delighted to have Craig come along to train with us as he is a very capable rider and displays all the skills and determination necessary to be a success. If he continues to put in the hard work, he has every chance of being one of the ten riders on the starting line at Aintree,” said Jonjo

John Tingey, a 53 year-old farmer from Gloucester, is relishing the experience of riding out with the string at Alan King’s yard: “It’s so exciting to be up on the gallops with such wonderful horses each morning.  If your sport is football, you would compare this to training with Manchester United every day!  It truly is a fantastic experience and I’m making every effort to ensure I make it through to the race.”

The riders will return to their Racing Colleges at Doncaster and Newmarket later this month where they will benefit from the knowledge of Grand National winning jockey, Mick Fitzgerald who has signed up as one of the expert team of coaches this year. The final decision on which ten riders will progress to Aintree on Grand National Day will be made on March 22.

Riders have nominated the charities that will benefit from their John Smith’s People’s Race exploits and every novice jockey secured £1,000 by qualifying for the training stage of the event.  The 10 successful riders selected to go forward to Aintree will collect a £5,000 donation for   their favoured causes, with the John Smith’s People’s Race Champion earning a total of £50,000 for charity.

The 16 novice riders with their trainers and chosen charities:    

1.    Suzanne Gill, Riding Instructor, Shrewsbury, Wales, aged 42
Trained by: Mark Brisbourne, Ness Strange Stables, Shrewsbury
Riding for: County Air Ambulance and The Brooke
2.    John Tingey, Farmer, Gloucester, 53
Alan King, Barbury Castle Stables, Wiltshire
Heroes
3.    Harry Marriott, Chartered Surveyor, Tangley, Hampshire, 47
Jonathan Geake, Kimpton Down Stables, Andover
Help for Heroes and The Royal Star & Garter Homes
4.    Craig Brown, Publican, Cheltenham, 34
Jonjo O’Neill, Jackdaws Castle, Cheltenham
County Air Ambulance
5.    Caroline Fleming, Sponsorship Executive at Newbury Racecourse, Eastbury, 26
Nicky Henderson, Seven Barrows, Lambourn
Spinal Injury Association (SIA)
6.    Cerys Davies-Whitehouse, Vet’s Secretary, Lambourn, Berks, 31
Carl Llewellyn, Weathercock House, Upper Lambourn
Alzheimer’s Research
7.    Sam Daniels, Stable Lad, Storrington, West Sussex, 23
Richard Rowe, Ashleigh House Stables, Storrington
The Injured Jockeys’ Fund
8.    David Griffiths, Retail Jeweller, Droitwich, Worcestershire, 25
Ian Williams, Dominion Racing Stables, Alvechurch
The Injured Jockeys’ Fund and County Air Ambulance
9.    Nicola Jardine, Equine Sports Therapist, Lockerbie, 29
Len Lungo, Hetland Hill Farm, Dumfries and Galloway
Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre (TRC)
10.    Rosanagh Robertson, Student, Edinburgh, 22
Lucinda Russell, Arlary House, Kinross
Tenteleni
11.    Holly Brown, Groom, Corbridge, Northumberland, 24
Howard Johnson, White Lea Farm, Crook
Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre (TRC)
12.    Simon Latchford, Trainee Solicitor, Ulceby, North Lincs, 29
James Given, Mount House Stables, Gainsborough
RDA (Riding for the Disabled) and Kidney Research UK
13.    Helen Millward, Physiotherapist, Doncaster, 27
John Norton, Globe Farm, Barnsley
Sports Kits for Africa and Breast Cancer Unit,Worcester
14.    Michelle Baldwin, Sales Manager, Manchester, 35
Richard Ford, Folly Farm, Cheshire
Bob Champion Cancer Trust
15.    Amy Shaw, Stable Hand, Penrith, Cumbria 23
Nicky Richards, Greystoke Stables, Penrith
Cancer Research and Injured Jockeys’ Fund
16.    Sara Morgan, Nursery School Deputy Manager, Cheshire, 30
Donald McCain, Bankhouse, Cheshire
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Imagine Appeal

-Ends-


Notes to editors:
For further information and interviews, please contact: SBI:
Kelly Stroud – 020 8233 5964 / 07988 195 262 / kelly.stroud@sbi.co.uk  (Newmarket Riders)
Michael Scallon – 020 8233 5963 / 07929 400801 / Michael.scallon@sbi.co.uk  (Doncaster Riders)

John Smith’s Racing Facts:
•    John Smith’s has sponsored the Grand National for the last four years during which time Hedgehunter, Numbersixvalverde, Silver Birch and Comply or Die have won the great race.

•    John Smith's is racing's leading commercial sponsor. Britain's No 1 ale brand supports more than 90 jump and flat meetings at over 30 courses across the UK. 

•    2007 John Smith’s People’s Race winner was Kevin Old, a pawnbroker aged 44 from Bournemouth. He rode Hoo La Baloo, trained by Paul Nicholls. His chosen charity was the Injured Jockeys Fund.

•    In 2008 the People’s Race was won by Clare Twemlow, an accountant from Newmarket. She was in training with Neil King and rode Zabeel Palace, owned by Barney Curley, after she chose his charity “Direct Aid for Africa”.

•    Please find further information about the John Smith’s People’s Race at www.peoplesrace.com

Tickets for all three days of the John Smith's Grand National, which takes place at Aintree Racecourse from Thursday 2nd - Saturday 4th April 2009, are still available.  Up to the minute availability can be found on aintree.co.uk, where tickets can also be booked, in addition to calling 0844 579 3001.