A Day at Cocklebarrow Races

Cocklebarrow Races is an annual event which takes place in January. The course was originally in Heythrop, but moved to Cocklebarrow in 2014. The Cocklebarrow course was built by Johnny Wills, John Phillips and Charlie Brooks. The day sees over 2000 visitors from across the UK with the majority coming from Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Warwickshire. It is a real family day out, with many attractions beside the horse racing.

Starting a 10:30am, the racing began with three pony races. followed at 12pm with the horse racing; eight races with a total of seventy-three horses starting.

The first race was The Hunt Members which had five runners with two pulling up. The race was won by Raven’s Tower, ridden by Miss Megan Fox and trained by Ben Pauling.

The second race of the day was the Restricted. This had eight runners, but two pulled up and one fell. The race was won by Drumlee Getaway ridden by James King and trained by Francesca Poste.

The third race was the Pproa Club Members Conditions (level 2) Novice Riders which had fourteen runners, although three pulled up. The race was won by Stacks Mountain ridden by Miss G. Knowles and trained by Fergal O’Brien.

The fourth race was the Ladies Open. This had nine runners with one faller and one unseated rider. It was won by Southfield Theatre ridden by Miss L. Bradstock and trained by Sara Bradstock.

The fifth race was the Lord Ashton of Hydes Cup Men’s Open Race 12ST5LB which had eight runners. Of the eight, two pulled up and one fell. The race was won by Fifty

Shades ridden by D. Ellis and trained by Nicholas Williams.

The sixth race was the Maiden 45&6YO. It had eight runners but had four pulled up. The race was won by Caballo Diablo ridden by Miss A. Stevens and was trained by Jonathan Barlow.

The seventh race was the Maiden (DIV 1) 7YO&UP. This had ten runners but four pulled up. The race was won by Precious Bounty which was ridden by Miss E. Callwood and trained by Tom Ellis.

by Zoe Phipps

The last race was the Maiden (DIV 2) 7YO&UP which had eleven runners; three of which pulled up and two were unseated. The race was won by ‘Whatya On About’ ridden by James King and trained by Anabel Murphy.

In between the races and after the racing had finished there was still plenty to do. There was terrier racing to watch and a shopping hall that joins onto the family picnic tent. The shopping hall had lots of small local businesses, with a range of items for sale, such as clothes, baskets, jewellery and much more. As well as the shops inside there were plenty of trade stands outside serving food and drink, selling clothes and dog accessories, hot tubs and plenty of other products.

The terrier racing wasn’t just for terriers however. There were four classes; terriers, lurchers, beagles and also an ‘anything’ class.

Next to the Terrier Racing was The Tough Farmer Challenge. This had three classes; the Ladies Open, the Men’s Open and the Budding Young Farmers. The aim of the race was to compete doing everyday farm tasks, such as moving a 300kg tractor tracks, moving and stacking hay bales, carrying oil drums, throwing beer kegs and pulling a pick up, finishing with a pint of locally made beer! There was a Junior Tough Farmer and a Senior, the Senior competition was fought between the jockeys, farmers, Heythrop ladies netball and celebrity teams. This year’s winners were the reigning champions the Heythrop ladies netball team.

The Royal Agricultural University beagles paraded and racegoers were able to meet the hounds after the parade.

The young racegoers were also well catered for with a bouncy castle, a bungee run and a mechanical bull, which was popular with all ages.

In conclusion, the Cocklebarrow Point-to-Point was a lovely family day out and a definite diary entry for 2023!