Guernsey Press

Horse racing supporters rally around to save May meeting

HORSE racing will be back at L’Ancresse this May, after the public got behind the Guernsey Race Club.

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The desolate sight at L’Ancresse in May last year when the island’s only horse racing meeting had been called off as bad weather meant the horses could not reach the island. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 20317872)

Last year’s event was cancelled at the last minute after rough seas meant the horses could not travel over from the UK.

As a lot of the expenses had already been incurred, such as setting the marquees up and the toilets, there were concerns that this could be the end of event.

But club president Trevor Gallienne said the public had stepped up and got behind racing and it had almost reached the £25,000 it needed to put on this Spring’s event.

‘We have had great support from a number of people, both financially and in raising morale,’ he said.

‘A lot of people have said they hope we go on. People saw us put things up last year and have to take them down [after the event was cancelled] and were upset by that, so they have come out and supported us.’

Work is currently under way to organise for horses to come over for the event. This makes it important to work out what races will be held and what the prize money will be.

There is also some fundraising to be done. Mr Gallienne said he was confident they would raised the £25,000 they needed if people kept supporting them. A black tie race night on 3 March will help the club reach that.

For more details on the fundraising visit on the Guernsey Race Club Facebook page or its website guernseyraceclub.co.uk.

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