Ipswich point-to-point rider will race at Newmarket

Point-to-point rider Charles Buckle is among supporters of The Countryside Alliance Foundation from across the East of England, Gloucestershire and the Thames Valley who will race on Newmarket's famous July Course at the Countryside Race Day on Thursday 23 June.

The charity race is being run in aid of TCAF's charities Fishing 4 Schools, Falconry for Schools and Casting for Recovery and will be contested over eight furlongs, on mostly borrowed horses.

Charlie, of Semer, near Ipswich, who works in Marine & Energy Liability for Lloyds Insurance, rode five point-to-pointers on the circuit this season and used to pony race, so has plenty of race experience. However he is still to find a suitable mount for Newmarket as all his own horses "have gone wrong". Sponsor him at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/charles-buckle

Charlie said: "The point-to-point season is only just over so I think I'm still fit enough to ride a good race, however the mare I was hoping to ride is off with a tendon injury, so at this rate I might end up on my little sister's pony!"

Newmarket celebrates its 350^th anniversary this year and there will be a full day's racing following the charity race at 1pm.

Tickets cost £65 and include a champagne reception, lunch and auction in the Moorestyle Marquee, entry to the members' enclosure and a race card. To purchase, please contact Hattie Roger-Smith at [email protected], telephone 0207 8409298.

We are very grateful to our lunch sponsors Tattersalls and Newmarket Equine Hospital and Rossdales Equine Hospital who have sponsored the champagne.