What is the John Smith's People's Race?

The John Smith’s People’s Race is a unique opportunity for ordinary people to compete in a real flat horse race on real racehorses at Aintree on Grand National day. The 2008 race will take place on Grand National day at around 12.45pm.

There is a £100,000 prize fund that will be allocated to the final chosen 10 rider’s nominated registered charities.

The John Smith’s People’s Race requires all applicants to go through a number of stages before the final 10 riders are chosen.

1. Application Form

Applications for the 2008 John Smith’s People’s Race have now closed. John Smith’s has ‘declared’ the names of the 14 riders that have won a place in training for the 2008 John Smith’s People’s Race. To find out more, go to www.johnsmiths.co.uk

2. Rider Shortlist

A committee of experts selected a number of riders based on their region (Scotland, North East, North West, Yorkshire & Regions, Central, Wales, South West, South East), riding history, fitness and availability. 32 applicants were then required to attend a First Selection Stage at Newmarket on 17^th/18^th January or at Doncaster on 19^th/20^th January 2008.

3. First Selection Stage

Out of those 32 riders, 16 were invited to Newmarket’s British Racing School and 16 to Doncaster’s Northern Racing College. Each rider is assessed on fitness levels, horse riding capabilities, medical results, and a panel interview.

4. Second Assessment Stage

Following the First Selection Stage up to 16 riders were chosen and notified by 21^stJanuary to go through to a Second Assessment Stage back at their racing centre the following weekend. This allows the committee to have a final review of riders before sending them to their trainer’s yards.

5. Training Stage

Riders are allocated a trainer’s yard as near as possible to their home. Riders are required to undertake a minimum number of 16 visits to their Yard, on days that are mutually agreed, from 28^th January to 15^thMarch. The committee shall receive weekly updates from the trainers on the riders’ progress.
During the training stage riders were also asked to attend an interim 3-day training session back at Newmarket or Doncaster on 15^th – 17^th February. All riders underwent another medical examination by their own GP.

Riders will be asked to nominate the registered charity that they wish to represent in the John Smith’s People’s Race. The winner of the race will receive £50,000 for their charity, the other 9 riders in the race will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity and the 6 riders who made it through to the Training Stage but not the race will receive £1,000 for their charity.

6. Final Assessment Day

On successful completion of the training stage, all remaining riders will be required to undertake a final assessment at one of the racing schools on 16^th March. The Committee will then select 10 riders on that day to take part in the John Smith’s People’s Race at Aintree on Saturday 5^th April.

7. Race Day

All 16 riders who made it through to the training stage will be invited to attend a hospitality trip to the Grand National.

The 10 chosen riders will be taken to Aintree early on Saturday morning to walk the course and be given last minute instructions. They will go through the same procedures as the professional jockeys before going into the parade ring and out onto the course to line up for the 2008 John Smith’s People’s Race.

The winner shall also be awarded a perpetual trophy that they keep for the year, plus a trip for 2 to the Dubai horseracing World Cup.

NOTE: In order to preserve the safety of all selected riders and the welfare of the horses, at all times during this Promotion every rider will be required to maintain a minimum riding standard and standard of fitness. If, at any time, a rider fails to meet the standards they will be required to cease their participation in the Promotion with immediate effect. The Committee’s decision regarding rider approval at any stage is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

For more information on the John Smith’s People’s Race, visit www.johnsmiths.co.uk