Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at Olympia, 2016.

© FEI/Liz Gregg

Four equine superstars and the Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Race feature in addition to the Jump racing on Thursday, April 20, day two of The April Meeting, at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Racegoers will have the rare treat of seeing the quartet of equine superstars in parade after the 5.30pm race. The parade will take place in the paddock about 5.50pm.

The four horses who will parade are:

Chilli Morning

Chilli Morning became the first stallion to win the world's most prestigious eventing competition, the Badminton Horse Trials, under William Fox-Pitt in 2015. He was retired in January, 2017, to take up stud duties at West Kingston Stud in Wiltshire.

Valegro

Valegro is a two-time dressage world champion, who was ridden by Charlotte Dujardin. The pair gained three Olympic gold medals, including back-to-back victories in the individual event at London (2012) and Rio (2016), plus the team event in 2012. Valegro was retired from competition in December 14, 2016, signing off with faultless performance at the London International Horse Show.

Big Star

Big Star is a showjumper and was described by Nick Skelton CBE as "the best horse he has ever ridden”. Big Star and Skelton were part of the Olympic Gold medal-winning team at London 2012 and captured individual Gold at Rio in 2017. He is also a successful breeding stallion.

Sprinter Sacre

Sprinter Sacre was an outstanding chaser for Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson with a Timeform rating of 192p, bettered only by Arkle and Flyingbolt. Owned by Caroline Mould, he won his first 10 starts over fences including a scintillating 19-length victory in the 2013 Queen Mother Champion Chase at The Festival. He returned from a series of setbacks to regain the Queen Mother Champion Chase crown in 2016 to tremendous acclaim. Sprinter Sacre was retired from racing in November, 2016 after being successful in 18 of his 24 races.

Thursday, April 20 also sees the first running of the Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Flat Race, which will take place at 6.15pm.
The Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony charity are delighted to announce that Pertemps will be the headline sponsor.

The race line-up includes double Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton, Olympic silver medallist Tina Cook, international event rider (who recently fought his own battle with cancer), Ben Hobday, TV presenter and accomplished equestrian, Alice Fox-Pitt. The rest of the field (listed below) is made up of eight members of the public selected from over 600 applicants. The race organisers hope to raise £100,000 to be split evenly between the two charities.

Pertemps are one of the UK’s largest recruiters, providing permanent, contract and temporary staffing solutions across all sectors and industries. They are also a keen supporter of Jump racing, sponsoring the longstanding Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Series which culminates at The Festival in March every year.

Tim Watts, Lifetime President of Pertemps, said: “Pertemps are delighted to support two great causes and we recognise all the work that goes into supporting these charities and the wonderful outcomes they achieve.”

Bob Champion, on behalf of the two charities, said: “The Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony charity welcome Pertemps on board for this really exciting charity Flat race.

“Pertemps are a great supporter of British racing and we couldn’t be more delighted that they are supporting both of our charities to help in the fight against cancer, something that is so important to us all.”

Further details can be found at www.championswillberry.org.uk

Source: British Eventing website

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