55 minutes ago
image source, Simon Humphreys – ` Sport
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There were 1,100 more spectators at the Midlands Grand National Day in Uttoxeter than last year
Uttoxeter Racecourse is pleased with the efforts made to ensure Saturday's major Midlands Grand National meeting could go ahead after attendance increased by 13%.
Since 1969, the Midlands Grand National has been held on the Saturday immediately after the Cheltenham Festival.
But while crowds dwindled in weather-battered Cheltenham, the cheaper course in Staffordshire bucked the trend.
“We had an outstanding day on Saturday,” said general manager Brian Barrass.
“The Midlands Grand National is the highlight of the year here,” he told ` Sport.
“The weather certainly gave us a few headaches, but our outstanding ground crew team worked incredibly hard to ensure we were good for the race – and we picked up a very worthy winner in Beauport.”
“Our cheapest ticket for our intermediate course is £11 in advance. Our most expensive ticket is £40 for the Premier ticket. Everyone under 18 also has free entry. And once again there were numerous racegoers.”
“We enjoyed a record audience of over 9,600 viewers – a 13% increase on last year – with 1,300 hospitality covers selling out a month in advance. This is a great success for everyone involved.”
“We attract people from all over the UK, which has a positive impact on the local economy and employs around 700 people every day.”
Barrass continued: “Horse racing is still the second most attended sport in the UK. And Uttoxeter attracts over 100,000 visitors over our 23 racing days, an average of 4,348, well above the industry average of 3,394.”
“Planning and logistics can be staggering and you have to factor in pricing with the overhead costs of running the store, but it is a real success story.”
“We remain an important part of the city. And we are now looking forward to our summer season, including Ocean Color Scene, live post-race on May 18th, our Dino Family Fund Day on May 26th and the return of our popular Ladies Day on July 26th.”
image source, Simon Humphreys – ` Sport
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Uttoxeter's main stand was packed for the Midlands Grand National
The appeal of the Midlands National
The total prize pot for the Midlands Grand National was £150,000, of which the winner received £84,000 – part of a total meeting prize pool of £375,000, a record for Uttoxeter, an increase of £90,000 on 2023.
The Midlands Grand National was also the richest handicap chase of the week – better prize money than any other handicap chase at Cheltenham, although less than a quarter of what was paid for Galopin Des Champs' Gold Cup win.
The four mile two furlongs at Uttoxeter, three laps of the Staffordshire track, is the second longest race in the country, beaten only by the Grand National track at Aintree, which measures just over four and a half miles.
image source, Simon Humphreys – ` Sport
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Beauport led almost from start to finish and became the 53rd winner of the Midlands Grand National
Only one horse, the 1975 winner Rag Trade, won the Grand National at Aintree, which he did the following year.
But Synchronized, the 2010 winner for ` McCoy, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup two years later.
And Lord Gyllene, the 1997 Grand National winner, trained in Shropshire and owned by Staffordshire, finished second in the Midlands Grand National just weeks before claiming glory at Aintree.
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