Warwick racecourse to get support from Brakes Trust

Following last year’s success, the Trust plans to broaden and extend the event to take in football fans within an hour’s drive of the county town, in addition to regular supporters of Leamington FC.

As well as providing an opportunity for fans to meet up at a sporting occasion outside the football season, the event will increase awareness of what the Brakes Trust and similar organisations in the region do.

The involvement of football supporters wearing the shirts of their chosen teams will add to the fun and bring colour to the stands and paddock area.

Supporters of Leamington and Brakes Trust members will gain free access and free parking to the racing, providing they are sporting the gold and black colours of the team or carrying a Trust membership card.

In addition, the Trust will work with Supporters Direct, the governing body for football trusts, to invite 17 other trusts from Premier, Championship and Football League clubs throughout the Midlands to join in, with the course offering discounted admission for the evening.

Announcing the event, Trust vice-chairman Peter Bowen said: “Thanks to a unique partnership between the Trust and course managing director Huw Williams, football fans from all over the area will be able to witness the excitement, colour and spectacle associated with the Sport of Kings.”

Bowen added: “The coming together of racegoers and supporters shows just how attitudes have changed over the years which we are delighted about.

“The aim behind this joint venture is to encourage followers to experience the attraction of both sports.

“It’s part of our long-term plan to strengthen links with business and the local community.”

The highlight of the evening’s racing, which kicks-off at 6.10pm, is the Warwickshire Oaks, won last year by Timepiece owned by Khalid Abdulla and trained by Sir Henry Cecil.

The course is promoting the night as Mexican Monday and is offering free chilli and rice for the first 200 people booking in advance and paying the normal entry price of £15.

Tickets can bought online or through the booking hotline (08445 793013) by quoting “Mexmon”.

The gates open two hours before racing at 4.10pm and further details of the event are available on www.brakestrust.com