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Race Report: The Mascot Gold Cup, Wetherby Racecourse, Yorkshire, UK, 13th April 2014

Andrew Wood of Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice sent us this race report from the Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby Racecourse:

Seventy seven cuddly characters from all over the UK took part in the Mascot Gold Cup held at Wetherby races and the appropriately named ‘Hero’ Bear from Help the Heroes was the winner.

The event organised by Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice with the support of main sponsor Foresters and hosts, Wetherby Race Course and Conference Centre is expected to raise in the region of £15,000 for Sue Ryder and a further £5K for other good causes.

Prior to the race the traditional Mascot Parade was held. With the race theme of Le Grand Depart Yorkshire all Mascots were led into the parade ring by Marley a mascot on a bike representing the theme sponsors All Terrain Cycles who are about to open a large new store in Wetherby. The parading mascots gave race day punters chance to study the form and place bets on their favourites in the Totepool sponsored ‘Predict the Winner’ competition.

Judges proclaimed Kieran from Kier Group the Best Mascot in Parade with Mr and Mrs Pig from Morrisons Local Marketing team runners up. The best ‘Grand Depart themed mascots’ trophy was awarded to two mascots entered by the Sports Turf Research institute at Bingley. The award for most funds raised for Sue Ryder went to Keelham Farm Shop who had raised £2,600 just pipping the Morrisons Marketing team into second place with £2500.

Finally the prestigious JCT600 sponsored ‘UK Mascot of the Year’ award was presented to Mintie and Melony from the social enterprise, More Mascots Please in Birmingham. The company was set up by a young entrepreneur Ceri Davies and sends mascots into hospitals and hospices to put a smile on poorly children’s faces.

Then it was onto the race itself and Hero Bear benefitted from a fall at the last by Berry Bear of the the FA Women’s Super League to take the mantle of the fastest mascot in the world. Berry Bear rolled across the line to take the runners up spot, marginally pipping Freddie the Fox of the Green Deal Factory in Bingley to the line. Local mascot, Stanley the Stag from Stockeld Park also fell at the last but picked himself up to finish 4th in front of Cliffe the Castle from Fenetic Wellbeing Ltd. in Keighley. Many Mascots this year were ruled out of the prizes as they were caught up in pile ups at fences 1 and 3 sponsored by Bradford Markets and Santander respectively.

Event organiser and Sue Ryder Regional Fundraiser Andrew Wood said, “I’d like to say a big thank you to all who continue to make this event possible. This includes the fantastic team at Wetherby Races, Foresters our main sponsor, our fence and awards sponsors and of course all of the Mascots and volunteers that make it possible. The event has grown each year to be the largest of its type in the world, and eight years on since we thought this up, it is staggering to think that over £125,000 has been raised for good causes such as Sue Ryder which provides incredible care for people with serious illnesses.”

Race Photos

Race Results

Click here to download the 2014 Mascot Gold Cup finishing positions.

Race Details

Click here for more information on the 2014 Mascot Gold Cup

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