In his latest column, Haydock Park’s general manager Garry Fortune looks ahead to this weekend’s race meeting when some of horse racing’s heroes and heroines will be at the racecourse…

Pride of Racing comes to Haydock

The racecourse is delighted to be hosting the prestigious Racing Welfare Pride of Racing Awards this Saturday.

Sponsored by Betfair, the event will give recognition to the unsung heroes and heroines of the British horse racing industry.

Among the 10 nominations in five categories is Andy Jackson, the head lad at Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire, where he works for trainer Tom Dascombe.

Among the other nominees for the awards are a recently retired lady who started working in horse racing in 1967; a man who introduces 80 yearling colts and fillies into racehorse training every year; the longest serving member – at 41 years – of the staff at Newmarket Racecourses; the youngest racehorse trainer in Britain; and Barney Bamford, paralysed in a riding accident from the chest down, who has raised £80,000 for Racing Welfare by hand-pedalling his wheelchair over 100 miles.

They are all people who have made major contributions to the sport of racing through their achievements and activities. Their stories are inspiring – and we wish all 10 the very best of luck.

The major race on Saturday – the five-furlong £50,000 Racing Welfare Pride of Racing Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) – marks the occasion of the awards ceremony.

Let’s party for Christmas

The racecourse has launched its 2013 season of Christmas parties, including one in the New Year for people who have to work over the festive season!

The ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’ nights are across eight Fridays and Saturdays, starting on November 30.

The themed-party nights include a 7pm to 1am bar, welcome cocktail, three-course meal at 8pm, entertainment during the meal, live DJ until 1.30am and complimentary car parking and cloakroom. The ‘Moulin Rouge’ parties also offer fun casino gaming tables until 12.30am.

Bookings can be made by calling 0151 522 2922 or visiting www.haydock-park.co.uk.

Boost for punters

Many visitors to Haydock Park like to give themselves more chances of winning on the horses by betting ‘each-way’.

The great news is that – in common with the other 14 tracks within Jockey Club Racecourses, including Aintree – all on-course bookmakers at the racecourse now offer standard and consistent each-way terms.

The move is designed to provide greater certainty and protection for punters.

Vale UK race day

We are delighted to be welcoming Vale UK, the Prescot specialist in retail refits, which is holding its annual racing day at Haydock Park tomorrow, Friday.

We’re jumping to it

The final flat racing fixture of 2013 is on Friday, October 18. Then it’s jump racing all the way through to the spring, starting with the two-day Betfair Chase Festival on Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23.

The Grade 1 £200,000 Betfair Chase on the Saturday is being targeted by former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run, as well as Silviniaco Conti, who is set to defend his Haydock Park crown.

Racing this week

First race times: 2pm tomorrow, Friday; 2.25pm on Saturday.

Gates open two hours before the first races. Parking is free.

Tickets and times

On-the-day adult tickets tomorrow: Tattersalls/Newton Enclosure £13; County £24; Premier £36. Saturday: Newton Enclosure £13; Tattersalls £20; County £30; Premier £45.

Accompanied children aged 17 and under are admitted free of charge.