The horses belong to Tim Ancrum and Aileen Ware of Adventure Clydesdales, which specialises in providing riding holidays across Dartmoor offering trail riding holidays exclusively with magnificent Clydesdale heavy horses.
Tim said:
“We’ve been having a lot of fun training the horses on Dartmoor, galloping them in closely set groups in readiness for the race. They find it all very exciting! This race is such a wonderful spectacle and so many people enjoy it. The horses will race over two furlongs again, and we hope they will provide a thrill for racegoers. The horses love it, and although they will never have the spark of a thoroughbred, they do get quite bouncy in anticipation for the race.”
Devon-born professional jockey and racecourse ambassador Nick Scholfield is hoping he has better luck than last year when he was unplaced on Big Al. He said:
“It’s such great fun riding in the race. They may not be the fastest, but just being on board is brilliant, and you can’t help but smile, all the way down the home straight.”
Last year’s winner was James Best who rode Midge to victory. He said:
“It’s absolutely brilliant taking part in the race and raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance. The build up before the race is brilliant, and there is so much camaraderie and good will.”
