The new Racing League season kicks off with an exciting showdown, featuring the Juddmonte-owned Midair facing off against Sir Michael Stoute’s Believe In Stars in the £75,000 finale at Yarmouth.
Now in its fourth year, the league concluded thrillingly in 2023, with Kevin Blake’s Ireland narrowly defeating Wales & The West by just seven points in a dramatic finish at Southwell.
Yarmouth is poised to welcome back the seven regional teams for an exhilarating opening night of action this Thursday. The highlight of the evening is the Weekly Rewards With Tote Stayers Club Racing League Race 7 Handicap, which wraps up the seven-race card. Stoute’s Believe In Stars will aim to capitalise on his near miss in his return at Windsor for Classic-winning owner Saeed Suhail, while Chris Hughes’ East region provides additional competition.
Standing in his way is Harry Charlton’s Midair, who typically wears the famous Juddmonte silk colours but will don the red of Wales & The West in this instance. After losing by a narrow margin on his first race since being gelded, the son of Frankel will attempt another 10-furlong challenge.
Mahon emphasised the value of the Racing League's impressive prize money, pointing out that in today’s climate of cost-cutting, such offerings are essential for attracting participation.
Last year, Jamie Osborne’s Wales & The West team energised the Yarmouth opener, with Saffie Osborne delivering a remarkable treble that contributed to her winning the leading jockey title.
As the Racing League makes its second visit to the East Coast, Yarmouth’s general manager Tom Pennington expressed enthusiasm about hosting the event again, with 84 entries confirmed out of a possible 98 across the card.