Persian Punch Memorial fund set up at Newmarket

Newmarket Racecourses will launch a fundraising campaign on Champions´ Day this Saturday to help finance a permanent memorial to Persian Punch on the Rowley Mile.

The racecourse is starting the fund with its own £10,000 donation with the aim of commissioning a bronze of the horse who won the hearts of flat racing followers across the globe.

The gallant, Jeff Smith-owned stayer, who won more races at Newmarket than at any other course, recorded the final victory of his career on Champions´ Day last year when winning his third Jockey Club Cup with one of his trademark, battling finishes.

The race has been renamed the Persian Punch Jockey Club Cup for this year and members of his fan club are expected to travel from far and wide to be at the Home of Racing on Saturday to remember their hero who died from a heart attack at Ascot at the start of this season.

Lisa Hancock, Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses, said: 'In consultation with Jeff Smith and the Persian Punch Fan Club, we are delighted to be going ahead with a permanent memorial to Persian Punch here on the Rowley Mile.

'Anyone who witnessed that incredible triumph twelve months ago and the scenes of jubilation around the winners´ enclosure afterwards will associate Champions´ Day and the Rowley Mile with 'Punch' for years to come.

'Bronzes are not cheap - two-thirds life size will cost around £50,000 and life-size around £90,000 - so we are hoping for a strong response to the appeal. If we raise more than we need, the surplus will be split between the Racehorse Rehabilitation Centre and the Injured Jockeys´ Fund.'

Members of the fan club will be on hand on Saturday to collect donations from racegoers. Anyone who donates £10 or more can have their name printed in a Persian Punch Memorial Fund contributors´ book, which will be on display at the Rowley Mile on racedays once the statue has been unveiled next year. Anyone who donates £500 or more can have their name on a plaque on the statue´s plinth.

Highdown, the publishers of Lee Mottershead´s book, 'Persian Punch, The Authorised Tribute', are generously donating £1 for every copy of the book sold on the day.

Jeff Smith, David Elsworth, who trained Persian Punch throughout his career, and Lee Mottershead will all be signing copies of the book in a tent by the parade ring.

Lester Piggott will also be there to sign copies of his recent book, from which £1 will also be donated to the Persian Punch Memorial Fund.

Letheby & Christopher, meanwhile, the Rowley Mile caterers, will be selling a 'Persian Punch' punch, with £1 donated to the fund for every glass sold.

Other fundraising plans will be announced in due course. Details and a wealth of information about Persian Punch can be found on the fan club´s official website www.persianpunch.co.uk