After a 10 year abscence the Guineas Ball is returning to Newmarket with a star studded line up of guests and VIPs.
It’s being held at the National Stud, next to the July Racecourse, next month with those due to attend including “Strictly Come Dancing” favourite Kristina Rhianoff, former England rugby player Ben Cohen, jockeys Frankie Dettori and Jamie Spencer and some of the stars of the reality TV series “Made in Chelsea”.
And the event is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the My WiSH Charity’s Every Heart Matters Appeal, which is aiming to raise £500,000 to help create a new cardiac unit at the West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, and the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Sir Peter O’Sullevan Rehabilitation Centre project.
Chris Silverwood, the former Essex coach and now England bowling coach, along with Coronation Street’s “Mike” North who plays Gary Windass in the ITV soap opera are also due to attend.
One of the season’s social highlights until 2010 the Guineas Ball raised more than £600,000 for charities in the region before taking a break.
Explaining its return, organisers Julie Thompson and Emma Kaye, said: “We did 12 years of the Guineas Ball and raised significant amounts for charities, most notably being able to fund an emergency vehicle equipped to deal with accidents on the gallops and at the races.
“After such a great effort by everyone we felt the time was right to give the sponsors a break but we have been inundated with requests to revive the ball and had so many pledges of support from friends both in and outside racing that we look guaranteed to be able to come back with a bang.”
The black tie event, to be held in a marquee in the grounds of the stud, will be hosted by Julie’s husband, international horseracing broadcaster Derek Thompson, who will also preside over the evening’s charity auction which has already attracted some fantastic prizes including holidays,
They include dinner in your own venue by exclusive caterers; the chance to be written-in as a character in a Felix Francis novel; Cheltenham packages; and a masterclass with Khristina Rhianoff while singer/songwriter Julius Cowdrey, from “Made in Chelsea”, has agreed to perform with the live band.
“The response so far has been amazing and over 40 tables have been reserved so far,” said Emma.
Tables of 10 can be reserved for £1,500 which includes a champagne reception, three-course dinner with unlimited wine, breakfast, a casino, live band, disco and outside entertainment.
It takes place on Saturday, April 28, with the venue being donated for free and sponsors include
Crem Recruitment, Betfred and the Morson Group.
For all enquiries contact Juliethompson1204@gmail.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here