After four years at the helm, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Countryside Alliance and a range of nominated charities, the chairman of the Cheltenham Countryside Race Day committee has retired.
Christopher Hodgson, pictured above, who has long been involved with the committee and the success of this popular annual gathering of Countryside Alliance supporters, now hands over the chairmanship to Rupert Sweeting. Christopher will, undoubtedly, remain closely involved in supporting the event which he has devoted so much time and energy to.
“As chairman of the Countryside Race Day committee, Christopher has been a wonderful ambassador for an event which continues to raise significant funds for the Countryside Alliance and other charities through the well-attended lunch and hugely supported live and silent auctions,” said Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance. “We are extremely grateful for the time and commitment he has given over the past four years and are delighted that he will continue to support as Rupert takes up the reins.”
Christopher Hodgson said:
“It has been a privilege to chair a committee made up of people who are deeply committed to the countryside and to raising the funds that help the Countryside Alliance carry out its well-known campaigning work, along with the other wonderful charities that we support.
“A huge thank you to the members of the committee, to the generous donors of auction items and to the equally generous bidders and sponsors who have supported the day so enthusiastically over the years. I would also like to thank The Jockey Club and Cheltenham Racecourse for their continued financial and logistical support, which has been instrumental in the success of Countryside Race Day.”
Incoming chairman Rupert Sweeting, who is a longstanding member of the Alliance, enjoys both hunting and shooting, is a director of Jockey Club estates and also enjoyed a successful career as an amateur jockey, commented:
“Countryside Race Day has long been one of the most enjoyable and important fixtures in the calendar, bringing together supporters of the countryside while raising valuable funds for the Countryside Alliance and the charities nominated each year by Cheltenham. I am delighted to be taking on the role and look forward to working with the committee to ensure the event continues to thrive.”
Alongside supporting the Countryside Alliance, Countryside Race Day at Cheltenham has raised significant funds for nominated charities. Past beneficiaries have included the Injured Jockeys Fund, Riding for the Disabled, Equestrian Team GBR and Racing Welfare.
Lisa Hancock, managing director of the Injured Jockeys Fund, which was the charitable partner at the latest Cheltenham Countryside Race Day on 14 November 2025, said:
“We are extremely grateful to Christopher Hodgson and the entire Countryside Race Day committee for their hard work and dedication, as well as to Cheltenham for their ongoing support of the Injured Jockeys Fund. Events such as this play a vital role in helping us support jockeys, past and present, who have suffered serious injury, and this generous contribution will make a real difference to those we help.”
Through the generosity of supporters, sponsors and donors, the event has become a highlight of the Cheltenham calendar while continuing to deliver vital funding for the organisations it supports. This year’s nominated charity is World Horse Welfare.
This year’s Countryside Race Day at Cheltenham will take place on Friday 13 November. Please email ccrdlunch@gmail.com if you are interested in supporting the work of the Countryside Alliance and World Horse Welfare by booking a table for the ever-popular fundraising lunch.
Photo credit: Daniel Hague