Crowds are back! Over 17,000 return to Newbury Racecourse for BetVictor Hungerford Day

For the first time since before the coronavirus pandemic, Newbury Racecourse held a race meeting with unlimited numbers last weekend as over 17,000 attended BetVictor Hungerford Day.

The main race of the day, the Group 2 BetVictor Hungerford Stakes, was won by Sacred.

The William Haggas-trained filly travelled well in the final furlong, having been at the rear of the field, to win under Lambourn jockey Tom Marquand.

It was the three-year-old’s first run since finishing seventh in the Group 1 Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket in May.

There was local success at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday for trainer Owen Burrows in the Group 3 BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes as Hukum won the race for the second year in a row under Jim Crowley.

It was a strong day for more local trainers at Newbury as Andrew Balding’s Masekela won the Denford Stakes, while the Clive Cox-trained Aratus won a BetVictor Handicap.

On Friday, Kingsclere trainer Balding adding to his tally at Newbury as Dubai Jewel won a Fillies’ Novice Stakes, while Neenee’s Choice won a one mile handicap.

There was also a winner for Baughurst trainer Patrick Chamings with Spanish Star in the BetVictor App Handicap and the Jonathan Portman-trained New Heights won the Apprentice Handicap.

Our photographer Phil Cannings was on hand to take some pictures at Newbury on Saturday.

After racing, singing sensation Olly Murs performed to the crowd.