AT THE end of January Wincanton Racecourse held the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Raceday and what a special day this turned out to be for one young lady from the Chew Valley, writes Rosie Sage.

Aimee Sparkes had asked for a day at Wincanton races as a Christmas present.

Champion trainer, Paul Nicholls and her family made this happen, together with some very kind owners.

Paul invited Aimee to watch the horses on the gallops in the morning. At the racecourse, the owners of Pourquoi Pas Papa, who were unable to attend this meeting had said Aimee could be the ‘owner for the day’ with all the benefits that go with that.

The horse looked so very well in the paddock before the race, where Aimee joined Paul, trainer, her family and jockey Harry Cobden — and Aimee enjoying every minute. All the horses mounted, made their way onto the racecourse ready for the race.

The race was run, a one mile seven furlong maiden hurdle, with eighteen runners on ground officially described as “heavy”. It was an impressive win by some seven lengths.

When the horse came into the winners’ enclosure, there was a vey excited lady waiting to greet horse and jockey. She hugged Paul and Harry and said: “All my dreams have come true.”

The day was not over, far from it. Next was the presentation of the trophy to the winning owner, what an opportunity.

Run from your horse, winning connections, owners, trainers’, family and friends are invited for a glass of champagne and nibbles.

What a day, what memories. A very fortunate young lady.

For those interested in the racing Pourquoi Pas Papa should run in the Fred Winter on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.