Racing stars on trend while supporting education charity Racing to School
The worlds of fashion and racing combined to support the education charity Racing to School at a lively evening at the popular Dunkerton’s venue on the outskirts of Cheltenham on November 5th.
Brought together by Venatour – the specialist sports tour operator – over 100 guests enjoyed a panel discussion that illuminated the trends in both clothing design and modern racehorse training, against the backdrop of Cheltenham’s Open meeting staged later this month.
Bedecked in stylish Holland Cooper attire, trainers Jonjo O’Neill, Kim Bailey and Fergal O’Brien were joined by Jonjo’s son AJ O’Neill and Fern O’Brien, daughter of Fergal, for a relaxed Q&A session with racing presenter Luke Harvey. There were no prizes for predicting that panellist, host and founder, Jade Holland Cooper would win the fashion stakes, styling her tailored three-piece suit.
“We are so grateful to Venatour, Holland Cooper and all the guests for the opportunity to share Racing to School’s mission to support young people’s learning and career aspirations,” said the charity’s CEO John Blake.
“It was such a fun and warm evening, and for the auction to raise almost £2,000 translates in such a meaningful way. These funds will allow our team to run two day-long events for schoolchildren, supporting their class studies and giving them unique access-all-areas to their local racecourse – the first of many return visits, we hope.”
Panelists with Racing to School CEO John Blake hearing about how the event will support the young beneficiaries
Before the auction got underway, a video message was shown from Jonjo O’Neill Jnr. – one of the charity’s ambassadors – thanking guests for adding their support to the work of engaging the future generation with racing.
Each of the trainers kindly donated morning gallops visit, and as the bidding ratcheted up, the addition of a champagne breakfast was sufficient for each lot to be snapped up. The Holland Cooper men’s and women’s gilets didn’t hang around for long and top spot went to the brand’s home bundle, which is likely to be a pleasant surprise under someone’s tree come Christmas Day.
