JOCKEYS' GET HEAD SHAVEN AT DONCASTER FOR DISASTER FUND

For immediate release 3 November 2009

FEATURING A SPECIAL FUNDRAISING 'JOCKEYS HEAD SHAVE'

Doncaster hosts the traditional conclusion to the British Flat season on turf, when the 2009 campaign signs off in style with a seven-race conclusion - 'totesport.com November Handicap Day' - this Saturday (November 7), starting at 12-25 p.m. (Gates open 10-30 a.m.).

To celebrate the 2009 season, there will be 'end of term' presentations to honour the champions of the season, including representatives of the champion trainer Sir Michael Stoute and the leading owner, Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum. In a competition reminiscent of last season's shared championship, the battle to be the 2009 Champion Apprentice Jockey looks like going right down to this final day of the season, as both Freddie Tylicki and David Probert are locked together in a thrilling duel. Probert was the joint champion last year with William Buick. The Apprentice Championship was also shared in 2005 between Hayley Turner and Saleem Golam. The overall champion jockey, Ryan Moore has already received his trophy, as he is riding at this weekend's Breeders' Cup meeting in California.

Saturday's meeting at Doncaster will also provide the venue for a fun fundraising event organised to raise money in aid of the Malton Fire Disaster Appeal Fund when 16 Flat jockeys prepare to have their heads shaved before racing! Organised by jockeys Paul Hanagan and Tom Eaves, it is anticipated that the fundraiser will attract donations to the tune of several thousand pounds from both the racing community and racegoers attending the tote November Handicap. Poised to take place in the Lazarus Exhibition Hall at the racecourse, the fundraiser will see key jockeys participating in memory of Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson who were tragically killed in a blaze which swept through a block of flats in Malton in the early hours of September 5th. The families of both Jamie and Jan will also be at the course to support the fundraising as the hairdressers begin the head shave!

Come along for 11.30am on Saturday (before the first race) to see at least 16 high profile jockeys lose their locks for a great cause!

The principal race of the afternoon is The totesport.com November Handicap Stakes. This famous Heritage Handicap over one mile and a half now offers record prize money of £95,000 (and increase of £10,000) and is sure to produce a highly-competitive race. The quality of the racing programme is emphasised by a couple of long-standing Listed races - The totetentofollow.co.uk EBF Gillies Fillies' Stakes (a £40,000 contest for fillies and mares named in memory of a former chairman of Doncaster racecourse, Cllr. Ron Gillies, J.P.) and The Best Odds Guaranteed At totesport.com Wentworth Stakes (a race for sprinters over six furlongs offering increased prize money of £50,000).

A party atmosphere is expected after racing courtesy of 'live' music on stage in the Lazarus Exhibition Hall from the 'The Hookey Band'.For young racegoers, there's the 'Fun Bus' and face-painting in the Family Enclosure. The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station (£2 return).

Donations to the appeal can be made by sending cheques made payable to 'Racing Welfare - Malton Fire Appeal' to: The Office, Musley Bank Stables, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6TD