Hall & Woodhouse (H&W), the leading independent family-owned Dorset brewer, is celebrating another successful Badger Chase Day at Wincanton Racecourse.
The annual event, which is now in its 57th year, has been well attended by Somerset residents as well as the H&W team and family members since it began in March 1962. Each year there is always a competitive field of horses competing for the Badger Ales Trophy, and this year H&W Chairman Mark Woodhouse and his wife Tessa’s horse, named Present Man, triumphed for the second year running. Ridden by Bryony Frost, Present Man scooped the prize for the second time and was trained locally at Shepton Mallet by 10 time champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
Originally called the Badger Brewery Handicap Chase, the event has become Wincanton’s flagship raceday, recognised in Somerset as one of the county’s finest sporting occasions. It is Britain’s longest-running sponsored chase and continues to draw in the crowds from near and far.
Mark Woodhouse, Chairman of Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We are so proud to have backed this tremendous event for over half a century, making us the longest current sponsor in racing. It is the county’s most historic race and it is only fitting that we continue to support the race due to our own vast heritage across the south.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for our team members, business partners, and the family to come together each year. Everyone travels from far and wide including Richard and Denise Bell, who run the Silent Woman Inn at Wareham in Dorset. Richard and Denise have been running pubs for us for more than 21 years and have come to the Badger Chase Day every year since joining the H&W family. Richard and Denise close their pub for the day and bring with them as many as 50 guests, team members, and friends in a coach convoy for a day of fun at Wincanton.”
Please visit www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk for more information.