IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL ‘BENNY’ HUTCHINS

Today’s race is run in the memory of our dear friend Michael “Benny“ Hutchins, who was born and lived in Newbury all his life.

Benny was a lifelong follower of racing, both as an owner and much respected punter, and it is very fitting that this race is run at his local track just 12 months since his passing.

Unfortunately, Benny sustained a spinal injury whilst on holiday in Portugal in August 1985 at the tender young age of 26 years old, and whilst he spent the following 37 years as a tetraplegic in a wheelchair, he did not let this detract from his love of racing. In later years, he freely offered his time to rattle the collection bucket at the Spinal Injuries race day held annually at Newbury Racecourse.

His favourite meeting of the calendar was the Cheltenham Festival in March and many of his friends in attendance today will have fond memories and stories to reminisce over the years.

We hope that today’s winner of the race will progress through their career, take some of Benny’s strengths and rise to the challenges ahead with the determination and courage just like our good friend Benny did.