by Emma Forman

One of the spring highlights of the Lincolnshire sporting and social calendar is due to take place on Saturday when the annual Brocklesby races will be held at Brocklesby Park by kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Yarborough.

92 entries have been taken for the 7-race card starting at 12 noon. Entrance is £15 per person with under 16’s free, and at the beginning of the week the going was described as “good, good to soft in places”. Due to the popularity of the meeting last year, organisers are providing additional space for public parking, however, picnic parking close to the action can be purchased in advance through Ticket Tailor. There will be a range of trade stands, hot and cold food outlets and a licenced bar. There will be a party in the bar after racing with live screening of the England versus France Rugby match from 4.45pm.

14 entries have been taken for the feature Open race sponsored by Baillie Haylage. This race may feature a re-match between Ellie Callwood’s mount, Revesby winner Music Drive and the second that day Captain Biggles, who will be ridden by Gina Andrews, who is in form with a hattrick of wins at Garthorpe on Sunday. Other notable entries are David Kemp’s useful Law of Gold who will be ridden by another in form jockey; Dale Peters, fresh from a double last weekend and the top-rated horse in the entries is Gracchus de Balme for Huw Edwards.

Clark Weightman are kindly sponsoring the PPORA Club members’ Conditions race which has also attracted 14 entries. Rosie Howarth has had a good start to the current season and could head the Yorkshire raiders once again, she could take the mount on Cherry Coward’s Sheriff Hutton winner Red Opium. Another Yorkshire rider, Jack Teal has a chance if he teams up with Mike Dawson’s Golden Taipan who would be a very popular Brocklesby winner. Others to consider include Perfect Attitude and the veteran Perfect Pirate as well as Benefaktor and Buzzard Trix.

Many of these have the option of lining up instead in the Conditions race (Level 3) for 8-year-olds and up, which is being sponsored by DDM Agriculture, and this race sees the highest number of entries with 21. Dale Peters’ 8-year-old Wallace Olinger could still be on the upgrade and may take some beating. Zac Baker may team up with Francesca Poste’s Trevada, the Britten family may run Ocean Drifter and consideration should also be given to Will Easterby’s ride Morozov Cocktail.

18 entries have been made for the Restricted race which is kindly being sponsored by Brigg Office Supplies. This contest promises to be the most competitive of the day with several Restricted winners looking to defy a 5lbs penalty. Kelly Morgan and Ellie Callwood team up with one such horse that fits this bracket in Bride Rovers Abu; expect to see him up with the pace early on. Other restricted winners include Kilfilum Woods for Francesca Poste and Zac Baker and Dale Peters’ Cash or Card. Other good maiden race winners include The Village Way for Alice and John Dawson and Mumbo Jumbo, a convincing Chaddesley Corbett maiden winner for Gina Andrews.

Racing gets underway with the Brocklesby, Southwold & Burton Members, Farmers and Subscribers race sponsored by Grimsby Roofing Services which has 3 horses entered. Mike Dawson from Grainthorpe has Drumlee Brexit entered, the 10-year-old returns to the track following a year long absence. Phil Lutman from the Southwold has Kostantina set to line up, however the warm favourite is likely to be Boss Man Fred. A winner of an open race in January, rider James King looks like repeating his success in this race last year when riding Just Your Type; the 10lbs penalty is unlikely to hinder Boss Man Fred and this is a much easier undertaking than his other potential engagement in the Open race.

Racing concludes with 2 maiden races; the first of which is confined to fillies and mares and sponsored by the Jockey Club and Beal Homes. This race has drawn an entry of 9 and it could be between Kingston Floss and Miss Tele. In the final open maiden race sponsored by Nunns Isuzu King Roque and Red Letter Day look the most attractive of the horses with form and experience, however there are a number of unraced newcomers to consider such as Gina Andrews’ Nice One Nelson.

Singleton Birch Ltd have kindly sponsored a prize to be awarded to the groom of the best turned out in each race. 

The course at Brocklesby is accessed from the B1210 near Humberside Airport and approximately 5 miles from junction 5 of the M180. Tickets can be bought in advance Select tickets – Brocklesby Races 2025 – Brocklesby Point to Point Course or cash and card on the gate.