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Cheltenham Names 2013 National Hunt Chase in Honour of John Oaksey 21/12/12

Cheltenham Racecourse will name the 2013 running of the National Hunt Chase at The Festival in honour of the late John Oaksey, who died at the age of 83 on September 5 this year.

Lord Oaksey enjoyed significant success as an owner with his home-bred Carruthers
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In over 50 years of professional involvement in racing, Lord Oaksey earned the iration of everyone he came into with.

He was twice champion Jump amateur rider (1957/58 & 1970/71), an outstanding writer on all aspects of the sport and a highly successful pundit on television.

He also left an enduring legacy to racing when helping found what is now known as the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.

In latter years, he enjoyed significant success as an owner with his home-bred Carruthers, who won the Teaforthree, trained by Rebecca Curtis. Recent graduates from the race who have gone on to win major prizes include Butler’s Cabin, Silver Birch, Hot Weld, Miko De Beauchene, Celestial Gold, Niche Market, Hennessy, Tricky Trickster and Poker De Sivola.

Three-time racing writer of the year Alastair Down, of the Racing Post and Channel 4 Racing, commented: “There can be no more fitting tribute to John Oaksey than running the National Hunt Chase in his honour.

“The great man actually won the four-miler in 1959 - the National Hunt Chase is not only the amateurs’ holy grail, it is the race with the longest history run at Cheltenham.

“It will be great having John Oaksey’s name gracing the racecard as he himself graced the sport down so many wonderful years.”

The National Hunt Chase was previously renamed in 2008 to honour Sir Peter O'Sullevan's 90th birthday and in 2012 to recognise Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

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