Cheltenham Festival is standing in solidarity with Ukraine with jockeys wearing special armbands donning the country’s national colours in support of its people amid Russia's invasion.
Sky Sports News’ David Craig revealed the news earlier today as the Festival returns for its 2022 edition. There were no spectators last year except stable workers and race personnel, but over 60,000 fans are heading to the famous Cheltenham racecourse - and the atrocities happening in Ukraine will be at the forefront of their minds.
“Whilst all eyes will be on the racing here and people are here to enjoy themselves, racing in no way is distancing itself from the events happening 2,000 miles away in Ukraine,” said Craig as the Festival got underway. “Today, the jockeys here will be wearing an armband in Ukrainian national colours on their sleeves.
“Also, the Ukrainian national flag is flying high in the winners’ enclosure and there’s lots of money-raising events going on to support the people of Ukraine at this difficult time.” He added: “Eyes on the racing, but thoughts very much with the people of Ukraine.”
The Cheltenham Festival will support the people of Ukraine while they endure the horrific military invasion by Russia. Cheltenham Racecourse also announced that the last race on opening day - the National Hunt Chase - will be named the Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Chase.
The racecourse is owned by The Jockey Club and supports the British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. It will make its own donation while also encouraging racegoers to donate.
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“The festival is a major social highlight for a very large number of the racegoers in attendance, probably even more so this year given the 2021 festival was being held behind closed doors,” said Ian Renton, managing director of the racecourse. “However, this year’s event is obviously taking place against the backdrop of major conflict in Ukraine.
“Given that coverage of the festival extends far beyond the coverage racing receives on a day to day basis, we are keen to hand as much exposure to the invaluable work undertaken by humanitarian charities in these most desperate times. Therefore, using a race title to promote these humanitarian efforts seemed a very appropriate act for us to undertake.”
“Racing has a tremendous record when it comes to fundraising and coming together in times when need is most keenly felt and we are aiming to help the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal as much as possible over the four days of The Festival.”
The British Red Cross is fundraising to support people impacted and displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine with necessities including food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter. Both the Ukrainian and international arms of the Red Cross are delivering this support on the ground.
The Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Chase is a grade two race and the oldest staged at the festival. With a distance of three miles and six furlongs, the most prominent winner in recent years was Tiger Roll in 2017, who went on to sensationally win the Grand National at Aintree in both 2018 and 2019.
To donate to the British Red Cross’s appeal, go to: https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal .
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