Racing to a New Varsity Rivalry
Horse racing is the latest sport to establish a Varsity contest, and the first ever flat race between Oxford and Cambridge will take place on Friday 17th October as part of Dubai Future Champions Day at Newmarket.
The Oxbridge sporting rivalry has attained worldwide fame since the first Boat Race in 1829, and now the two universities will translate their rivalry to the Turf. Five student riders from each university will race in light and dark blue silks over the eight furlongs of the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket, the headquarters of horse racing.
Oli Lawrence of Gonville and Caius College will captain the Cambridge team. He commented: “I am honoured to be captaining the first ever horse racing team for Cambridge – it’s a brilliant addition to the existing Varsity sporting competitions. I hope all my fellow students get behind us and come along to support this event.”
The other four members of the Cambridge team will be announced in early October, after seven hopefuls undergo training at British Racing School in Newmarket to prepare them for the rigours of race riding.
The Varsity race is part of a wider plan to foster interest in racing among students and young adults. Free entry is available for students booking in advance, both for Dubai Future Champions Day at Newmarket on Friday 17th October, and for the flat racing season finale – QIPCO British Champions Day – at Ascot the following Saturday 18th October. Three of the races on each day of Champions Weekend are of the very highest Group 1 status.
Rod Street, Chief Executive of Great British Racing, said: “The Varsity race is a great innovation for racing and we’re delighted that the students at Oxford and Cambridge have embraced the idea with such enthusiasm. We hope students turn out in force to cheer on the riders and take advantage of the amazing free entry offers at Newmarket and Ascot.”
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