More exciting Horse news for the North

One of Britain’s most successful horse trainers and the first lady of horseracing is to launch

Doncaster’s pioneering St Leger Horse Park.

Jenny Pitman OBE will help cut the ribbon to launch the park’s Visitor Centre on Saturday July 19 at 11.15am.

Mrs Pitman became a household name when her horse Corbiere won the 1983 Grand National and she became the first ever female trainer to gain the accolade – and still is.

The Visitor Centre at the St Leger Horse Park, at the home of the

Northern Racing College,

Great North Road

, Rossington,

Doncaster, has been developed to tell the story of the horse and its association with the borough as well as look to the future with the development of the horse park.

It is the only interactive museum of the horse in Europe and experts from SportsPulse,

Sheffield Hallam University, have designed and developed the interactive exhibits which will add to the experience and sense of fun at the centre. The launch event will run from 11.15am – 4pm and is free to enter.

“We are absolutely delighted that Jenny Pitman will be joining us to launch the visitor centre and we look forward to welcoming her back to

Doncaster. Jenny has had an illustrious career as a horse trainer and is one of the most recognised names in the industry.

“Her experience and reputation is immense and we hope she will become a regular visitor to the St Leger Horse Park in the future,” said Jim Gale, Chief Executive of the South Yorkshire Training Trust.

Originally from Leicestershire, Mrs Pitman started her own stables in the 1970s and began her career as a National Hunt trainer.

Through her patience, hard work and genuine understanding of horses, her career flourished and her horses took top honours. Royal Athlete repeated her Grand National success in 1995. Mrs Pitman was the first woman to train a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner with Burrough Hill Lad in 1984 – a feat she also repeated seven years later with Garrison Savannah, that was ridden by her son Mark. Other major wins include the King George VI Chase, the Welsh National three times, The Scottish and Irish Grand Nationals and the Hennessey Gold Cup – to name but a few.

Jenny Pitman’s talent as a racehorse trainer has brought her many awards and in 1998 she was awarded an OBE. Mrs Pitman retired the following year although her legacy was taken up successfully by her son.

“

Doncaster has such a great history and connection with horse racing that it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. The St Leger Horse Park will no doubt add to that reputation and I’m sure it will be a great success. I’m delighted to be launching the visitor centre and in particular being able to see people enjoy the world of horses and to learn from the experience. Horses are and always will be my lifelong passion,” said Jenny.

The Visitor Centre has also launched a search for horse racing and equine memorabilia connected to the borough to feature in an exhibition.

To contact the St Leger Horse Park with any offers of memorabilia please email: info@stlegerhorsepark.co.uk or call

Doncaster (01302) 861002.

The St Leger Horse Park will also include historical information about the park, Rossington Hall and the surrounding area, a shop, meeting and conference facilities, a cafeteria, fitness suite, toilets and showers plus a viewing gallery into the

Indoor Riding School. The 250 acre park will also be accessible to walkers, cyclists and horse riders and encourage learning about global and environmental issues.