Flying feathers raise funds for Air Ambulance
Exeter Racecourse’s annual Clydesdale race, which is traditionally held every year on Devon Day, has raised nearly £5000 for Devon Air Ambulance.
The feathers were flying as Dartmoor’s famous racing Clydesdales came thundering down the home straight ridden by professional jockeys last November.
Noel Fehily, Aiden Coleman, James Best, Daryl Jacob, Tom Bellamy and Sean Bowen were on board the gentle giants with the eventual winner Midge.
“It’s a great cause, a good bit of fun and it’s great for the people that brought their horses here – well done to them. I’m delighted that such a significant amount has been raised for such a worthy cause,” said winning jockey Fehily.
Owned by Tim Ancrum and Aileen Ware of Adventure Clydesdales, a trekking centre based at Brimpts on Dartmoor, the Clydesdales’ annual appearance is renowned as one of the sport’s most popular spectacles with bookies taking bets on the race, all of which is donated to the Devon Air Ambulance. People are also given the chance to become owners for the day too, with their fee donated to the charity.
Tim said: “Adventure Clydesdale is delighted to be able to participate in the staging of the Exeter Clydesdale race each year on Devon Day, and delighted that our presence enables us, in association with Exeter Racecourse, to raise funds for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust which provides a vital service, not least for horse riders. We are also very grateful for the opportunity to show off our magnificent Clydesdale horses.”
Devon Air Ambulance Fundraising Director, Caroline Creer, added “We are extremely grateful for the continued support from the Continued support from Adventure Clydesdales, Devon and Cornwall Bookmakers and Exeter Racecourse, it’s always a brilliant day out and a fantastic fundraiser. We attend many horse riding incidents every year and as such it’s so important for us to have a presence within the equestrian community. We look forward to attending the Devon Day later this year.”
The Clydesdales are already booked for this year’s Devon Day which takes place on Sunday, November 26.
