Having joined forces with Chestnut Hospitality, Fakenham Racecourse need your help to make the event even more spectacular.
This year, for the first time, they have secured the Norfolk National on Bank Holiday, Monday 4 May, and alongside a packed race card, stalls showcasing local food, drink and creativity.
The Bank Holiday atmosphere will be enhanced with a packed programme of live entertainment, including music from the Travelling Chandeliers and fun for all the family.
Newly opened will be a ‘Norfolk Collective’ picnic marquee where local clubs and businesses can take a table of 10 at the very reasonable price of £500, and connect with fellow Norfolk organisations in a sociable, informal setting.
Chestnut Group are also gifting several of the races through the day to local charities, including the Norfolk Community Foundation, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and East Anglian Children Hospice (EACH).
The Norfolk National is a huge race day in the Fakenham calendar. The race attracts entries UK-wide as the horses tackle the chase jumps (4½ feet high and almost as wide) over a 3.5 mile distance. Where Fakenham doesn’t have Becher’s Brook or The Chair, as are on the Aintree National course, it has other challenges such as a tight course, so it takes a good horse to stay the distance, and a requirement for jockeys to count the 3 and half circuits!
Also on 4 May there will be two other big races, both Class 2, with prize money of £30,000, for the Veterans Handicap Chase, and £50,000 for the Open Handicap Hurdle. With the £25,000 Norfolk National prize pot and four other races of £10,000 plus each the total prize money for this day alone amounts to £152,000 – which is incredible for a small independent racecourse.
David Hunter, Chief Executive of Fakenham Racecourse, said:
“Norfolk National Day has become a much-loved celebration of our county and moving it to the May Bank Holiday gives us the opportunity to make it even bigger and more inclusive. It’s a chance to showcase the very best of Norfolk – from our businesses and charities to our food, music and community spirit, while enjoying a fantastic day of racing at Fakenham. We’re incredibly proud to be hosting it and thanks to Chestnut’s involvement are excited to see it continue to grow.”
Norfolk National Day remains focused on accessibility and community, so this year advance tickets have been discounted to just £15, when purchased online, or £20 on the gate with one enclosure open to all. Children 17 and under are always free, with no ticket required. All bookings www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk.
