Memories of Sir Stanley and Lady Clarke

Sir Stanley Clarke was a well-known local self-made businessman and racing enthusiast, so when the lease for Uttoxeter Racecourse came up from East Staffordshire Council he was excited to take up the challenge. Acquiring the racecourse in 1988, Sir Stan saw an opportunity for the racecourse to become consumer-focused and a more commercial operation, maximising the number of people living in a 1-hour drive of the track.

Sir Stan invested in the racecourse, building new grandstands, improving facilities for racegoers, jockeys, trainers and horses, and very importantly prize money. Whilst modernising he was keen to preserve the charm and character by retaining some of the timber clad building, which we still have around the Parade Ring today.

His vision was to create “the finest country racecourse in the land” which we believe he achieved.

A stickler for standards Clarke had an eye for detail, whether it be cutting the grass, making sure the place was clean, improving signage, repainting and repairing buildings, racecourse staff meeting and greeting customers properly and providing proper customer service. This is very much the ethos that the team at Uttoxeter still live by today.

Sir Stan’s achievements at Uttoxeter, led him to develop Northern Racing who operated 10 racecourses across the country based on Uttoxeter’s blueprint, including Brighton, Bath, Chepstow, Fontwell Park, Hereford, Newcastle, Sedgefield, Uttoxeter and Yarmouth.

As they say, behind any good man was a great woman and Lady Clarke was just that. A great foil to her dynamic husband she was caring and supportive. She loved Uttoxeter Racecourse and her racehorses which she both owned and bred. We were fortunate to have Lady Clarke as our Patron and she was with us racing only a few days before she died in September 2015.

We welcome the Clarke family back to Uttoxeter and thank them once again for their support of their parents’ memorial race today.

FOURTH RACE 3.55

TWO MILES ABOUT FOUR FURLONGS (2M 4F) FOR FIVE YRS OLD AND UPWARDS

THE CLARKE CHASE (A HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE) (CLASS 2) (for The Sir Stanley and Lady Clarke Challenge Trophy) (GBB RACE)

Total prize fund £40000 œ Owners Prize Money. 1st £15900, 2nd £7948, 3rd £3976, 4th £1988, 5th £992, 6th £496. (Penalty Value £20812)

RACE STATS

LEADING COURSE TRAINER (17-22): D Skelton (76 wins from 324 runners, 23%) runs QUID PRO QUO & WALK IN CLOVER

TRAINER-IN-FORM (LAST 14 DAYS): D Skelton (6 wins from 29 runners, 21%) runs QUID PRO QUO & WALK IN CLOVER

WEIGHTWATCHER: JACAMAR won off a handicap mark of 131, his rating is now down 6lb to 125.

LONGEST TRAVELLERS: GLOIRE D’ATHON trained by S Humphrey, West Wratting & JACAMAR trained by M Harris, Warminster - both 143 miles.

Race Summary

RAFFLE TICKET arrives on a hat-trick and had something to spare at Worcester last time, so he’s preferred to Gloire d’Athon, who is also progressing well at the moment. Walk In Clover is another big player 1-2-3: 1.RAFFLE TICKET 2.GLOIRE D’ATHON (FR) 3.WALK IN CLOVER (IRE) colours no horse

1 TEA CLIPPER (IRE) (29) 4/23460- 8 12-0

B g Stowaway - A Plus Ma Puce (FR) Stan

Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey, Woolhope Br Cyril O’Hara eighth of 16 in handicap chase at Sandown (28.7f, good, 10/1) 29 days ago, unsuited by step up in trip On a reasonable mark and is worth bearing in mind back at a trip that is more suitable TFRëëëêê BHA142

2 KILLER CLOWN (IRE) (37) 10/35F5- D

9 11-9

B g Getaway (GER) - Our Soiree (IRE) Tom Bellamy

Burkes & Syders Emma Lavelle, Marlborough

Br Kevin Cullen Hatherden Horse Transport S

TIMEFORM VIEW Dual handicap winner over 2 1/2m in 2021/22 season Ran well at Market Rasen on return but had a hard race that day and hasn’t fired since. TFRëëêêê BHA137

3 NORTHERN BOUND (IRE) (30) 14121U- D

9 11-6

B g Fruits of Love (USA) - Noble Choice Beau Morgan (7)

Mrs Emma Kendall Ben Pauling, Naunton

Br Patrick O’Reilly Fitzdares S

TIMEFORMVIEWEnhanced his fine strike rate over fences when taking 4-runner handicap (11/8) at Newbury (19.8f, good to firm) in November, bit in hand Running well when unseated at Chepstow (might have been placed) last time and should remain competitive. TFRëëëêê BHA134

4 RAFFLE TICKET (GB) (20) 2/13/31-1 D

9 11-3

B g Fair Mix (IRE) - Halo Flora Alex Edwards Countess Cathcart Mel Rowley, Bridgnorth

Br Shade Oak Stud ADM Protexin Ltd S

TIMEFORMVIEWPoint/hurdles winner who cemented positive start over fences when landing an 11-runner handicap at Worcester 20 days ago. More to come and boasts leading claims. TFRëëëëë BHA131

5 WITNESS PROTECTION (IRE) (22) 421/P4-6

10 11-1

B g Witness Box (USA) - Queen’s Exit James Best

FOXTROT RACING WITNESS PROTECTION Martin Keighley, Cheltenham

Br Mr & Mrs James Hannon Foxtrot Racing Syndicates S

TIMEFORM VIEWDual hurdles winner who made it third time lucky over fences at Chepstow (2m) in November 2021 Lightly raced since but more encouragement when sixth at this course last time Drop back in trip will suit. TFRëëëêê BHA129

6 GLOIRE D’ATHON (FR) (29) 211121- D

7 11-0

B g Doctor Dino (FR) - Aster d’Athon (FR) Aidan Coleman

Mrs Jennifer Pitman Sarah Humphrey, West Wratting

Br Mrs Marie-Josee Corbin Tote S

TIMEFORMVIEWThriving sort who made it four from five over fences when landing a handicap at Sandown a month ago. Could do better again and another bold showing is expected from this likeable type TFRëëëëê BHA128

7 CAPTAIN TOM CAT (IRE) (9) P062U-3 C D BF

8 10-12

B g Dylan Thomas (IRE) - Miss Molly Malone (IRE) Sam Twiston-Davies

Deva Racing (CTC) Dr Richard Newland, Droitwich

Br P. Motherway Deva Racing Group S

TIMEFORMVIEWDeveloped into a pretty smart chaser in 2021/22, successful 4 times. Not the same force nowadays but performed respectably when third at Aintree 9 days ago. Blinkers go back on TFRëëëêê BHA126

8

JACAMAR (GER) (9) 61054-0 D

B g Maxios - Juvena (GER)

Mark & Maria Adams

8 10-11

Bryony Frost

Milton Harris, Warminster

Br J. Imm Bresbet S

TIMEFORM VIEW Capitalised on drop in grade in 9-runner handicap chase at Leicester in February. Just respectable efforts at best since (poor effort at Aintree last time). Something to prove TFRëëêêê BHA125

9

MAGIC DANCER (GB) (99) 321/135- D

B g Norse Dancer (IRE) - King’s Siren (IRE)

The Magic Partnership

11 10-11

Richard Patrick

Kerry Lee, Presteigne

Br Littleton Stud Fitzdares Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Picked up where he left off last season by making a winning reappearance at Cheltenham in November Not in the same form subsequently, however. TFRëêêêê BHA125

10

COASTGUARD STATION (IRE) (36) 031223- 7 10-9

Ch g Dylan Thomas (IRE) - Shuruwaat (IRE)

CatchTwentyTwo,Andyfreight HoldingsLtd

Br Michael O’Sullivan

Denis O’Regan

Henry Oliver, Kinnersley

TIMEFORMVIEWDual winning pointer who improved on his hurdles form when making a winning chase debut in 2m handicap at Doncaster in November Good placed efforts since (left with a lot to do at Ayr last time) and should get the longer trip TFRëëëêê BHA123

11

WALK IN CLOVER (IRE) (30) 202311- 6 10-8

B m Walk In The Park (IRE) - Bridgequarter Girl (IRE)

Tristan Durrell (5)

The Blind Squirrels Dan Skelton, Alcester

Br Kevin Neville Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEWProved well suited by truly-run affair and sprang a surprise from 14lb out of the weights when landing 20.6f Grade 2 handicap chase at Cheltenham under this rider. Followed up at Southwell a week later and revised mark could still be within range, TFRëëëëê BHA122

12

QUID PRO QUO (IRE) (15) 0PP31-2 D

7 10-7

Ch g Beat Hollow - Thieving Gypsy (IRE) Kielan Woods

Mr John P. McManus Dan Skelton, Alcester

Br Rosetown Bloodstock Ltd Ladbrokes S

TIMEFORMVIEW10/3, got off the mark over fences with a career best in 8-runner handicap at Southwell in April and backed it up with a reasonable showing at Warwick. Run of this race should suit his style. TFRëëëêê BHA121

2022: DEMACHINE (IRE) 8 11 11 Jonathan Burke 7-2 (Kerry Lee) 9 ran

DECLARED RUNNERS 12

Blinkers worn by No. 7. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2, 9. Hood, Tongue Strap worn by No. 6.

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1, 3, 8, 9, 10. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 2.

Stewards Note:

CAPTAIN TOM CAT: Following its run on 19/5/2023 it was reported that the horse lost a shoe.

Probable S.P’s: 4-1 Raffle Ticket (GB), 11-2 Gloire d’Athon (FR), 15-2 Walk In Clover (IRE), 8-1 Captain Tom Cat (IRE), Coastguard Station (IRE), 9-1 Tea Clipper (IRE), 10-1 Quid Pro Quo (IRE), 18-1 Northern Bound (IRE), 20-1 Witness Protection (IRE), 28-1 Killer Clown (IRE), 50-1 Jacamar (GER), Magic Dancer (GB)

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