Q&A With Eve Johnson Houghton The Trainer of The Colts & Fillies Club Horse, Yurituni

We are delighted to announce that our Colts & Fillies club horse, Yurituni will be joining us at Ascot on Sunday 1st April, Countryside Raceday. She will be joined by her trainer Eve Johnson Houghton, who will be on hand to let everyone know what we can expect from her in the 2012 season.

To see Yurituni on Sunday head down to the Colts & Fillies area by the Parade Ring at 1.30pm. We will be giving away free supporter packs* on the day to Colts & Fillies members.

About Eve:

You come from an impressive racing background, did you always know you wanted to be a trainer or did you have another career in mind?

No, I have always loved sport and really wanted to do something in sport, preferably with a gold medal attached, or a sports presenter of some sort. 

What is the best thing about training racehorses?

You are doing something you love, everyday. No day is the same and I get to ride out in the most beautiful countryside instead of sitting in a traffic jam.

And the worst?

Health & Safety regulations and horse injuries

All winners are special but which has been your favourite success and why?

Robustian at Pontefract. He was my 1st ever winner. Also Phluke at Redcar last year. He was 10 years old, had only gone up as a companion to Bling King (who was disappointing) and ended up winning the last over 2 furlongs further than he had ever been before!!

What are you looking forward to most in 2012?

I set the target of having a Royal Ascot winner. I look forward to fulfilling that one!

About Yurituni:

When did you first start training Yurituni?

April 2009. We bought her at the Breeze Up sales at Newmarket for a new owner. She ran 7 times that year and won a big nursery at York and also again at Bath.

What distance are we most likely to see her run over?

6-7 furlongs

Why did you decide to get Yurituni involved with the Colts & Fillies Club?

She is a very consistent filly now owned by the family. She is very sweet natured and will let all the colts and fillies pet her and more importantly, she should run quite a few times and should get in the winners enclosure.

Why do you think it’s important to get the younger generation involved in racing?

I grew up going racing, and it’s a great way of life. It’s a great sport that all the family can get involved with and can give them a lifetime of good clean fun.

What will Yurituni’s daily routine be now she is back in training?

1st thing in the morning she will have breakfast (about 5.30). Then at 7.30 she will go out for her morning exercise which consists of a good warm up, 2 canters and a long warm down. If it is nice weather she will get a pick on the grass and a wash down. She then goes back into her box, has lunch at about 12.00 and then has an afternoon siesta. At 4pm her stable lad comes in and mucks her out and dresses her over. I will look at her at 5.30pm and then she has some supper at about 6pm. If it is very nice weather she may get turned out for a couple of hours in the afternoon.

When do you think Yurituni will have her first run of 2012?

Probably at the end of April, beginning of May

She has won and been placed each season since her racing career began, do you think she will continue her success this year?

I very much hope so!!

The Colts & Fillies Club is free for children age 16 and under and organises activities throughout the year which allow youngsters to engage in horse racing and learn about it in a fun and exciting way.

To become a member please visit www.ascot.co.uk or sign up on Sunday 1st April in the blue Colts & Fillies kiosk by the Bandstand Lawn.

*Subject to availability

Catch a STAR at Ascot Racecourse

Announcing the launch of the ‘Seventeen to Twenty-Four Ascot Racegoers Card’ 

Following on from the success of the Colts and Fillies Club, Ascot Racecourse is proud to announce its latest exciting initiative, the STAR Card. Available for all young people aged 17 to 24, the new card entitles holders to enjoy substantial discounts on racing at the famous track throughout the year.

Issued free of charge, cardholders will be entitled to purchase a half price* ticket to all Ascot racedays (with the exception of Royal Ascot and British Champions Day), representing a saving of between £6 and £22.50 per raceday in 2011 depending on the date and type of ticket bought.

Firework Spectacular

As an additional bonus, anyone who already has a card or signs up for one in the next few weeks will be entitled to FREE entry on Saturday 29th October, United House Group Day and Firework Spectacular.

Jayne McWilliam, Ascot Racecourse said:

“We’re really excited about the new STAR Card. With such great discounts, we hope it will encourage some new faces to the racecourse and look forward to welcoming them on 29th October. Members just simply insert their card into one of the turnstiles when they arrive that day and they will be admitted to the Grandstand Admission area free of charge. We’re also really pleased that this card will provide further benefits to our loyal Colts and Fillies members who will be able to progress to the STAR Card when they turn 17 years old and continue their enjoyment of all that Ascot has to offer.”

*Tickets sold at half of the on the day price

For further information and images:

Jayne McWilliam, Colts and Fillies and STAR Card Coordinator, Ascot Racecourse; 01344 878512 / 07917 521429

Karen Smith, PR Manager, Ascot Racecourse, 01344 878430 / 07717 851566

-ENDS-

Notes for editors:

To receive a STAR card, prospective members need to go to www.ascot.co.uk and click on the Star Card link to submit their details and a passport size photo. Star Cards will be dispatched within 28 days. Please be assured that details will not be passed to any third parties.

When attending the racecourse, cardholders simply show their card when purchasing a ticket and the discount will be applied. Please note that Star Cards cannot be used to purchase tickets in advance of a raceday.

Star Cards can only be used by the named holder and are strictly non-transferable. Conditions of entry to Ascot Racecourse and dress codes apply, see ascot.co.uk for details. Members will also be offered booking discounts for Royal Ascot.