\n A Celebration of Willow will take place at Lambourn Sports Club on Sunday, September 14, and will see jockeys and trainers swap saddles for leads in support of the Alabama Rot Research Fund.\n<\/p>\n
\n The event was created by greyhound racing enthusiast Shaun Reynolds, who lost one of his whippets to Alabama Rot in March 2024.\n<\/p>\n
\n Alabama Rot is a rare, often fatal disease affecting dogs, with little known about its transmission or cure.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Reynolds said: “This event has snowballed.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It was meant to be a one-off but people who came last year loved it and making it an annual fixture in the Lambourn calendar just seemed right.\n<\/p>\n
\n “No one is admitting to wanting to win the race, but I know everyone\u2019s competitive edge will come out when they line up.\n<\/p>\n
\n “For anyone who hasn\u2019t been whippet racing before, come along.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I guarantee you\u2019ll have a good time \u2013 there\u2019ll be a real carnival atmosphere and entry remains at just a fiver.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Among the horse racing personalities taking part are three-time champion jockey Richard Hughes, Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Jamie Snowden, and Royal Ascot winner Charlie Bishop.\n<\/p>\n
\n Whippets owned by the racing figures will take to the track, including Mr Bishop’s defending champion Rupert, Mr Hughes’ runner-up Basil, and Mr Snowden’s pup Monkey.\n<\/p>\n
\n The event will feature seven races starting from 3pm, with the final race being the Coppice Racing Willow Memorial Derby.\n<\/p>\n
\n This race is open to Lambourn-based whippets that do not race competitively.\n<\/p>\n
\n The goal is to raise \u00a35,000 for the Alabama Rot Research Fund.\n<\/p>\n
\n A range of activities will be on offer, including tote betting, a silent auction, a raffle, lawn games, and food and drink stalls.\n<\/p>\n
\n An Irish band will close out the day once racing concludes.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Reynolds said: “Alabama Rot remains a mystery, but funds raised from Willow\u2019s story thus far have helped the University of Surrey to develop some preliminary knowledge on what might cause the disease to develop.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It\u2019s the first step in finding a cure, which I\u2019d dearly love to happen in my lifetime.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Tickets are \u00a35 and can be purchased on the door with cash.\n<\/p>\n
\n Gates open at 1pm and parking is available on site.\n<\/p>\n
\n Updates and information can be found on Facebook via \u2018A Celebration of Willow #2\u2019 or on Shaun Reynolds’ X account @95_reynolds.\n<\/p>\n
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