Thousands of racegoers enjoyed the plum antics of Prunella the Pershore Purple Plum, Queen Victoria and the Plum Princess (Freya Baah ) and her attendant (Olivia Addis) at the Pershore Plum Festival Family Race Day at Worcester Racecourse last Friday. Celebrating the relaunch of the Land O Plums Chase which hadnt been run for over 70 years – the grandstand turned into a sea of purple as everyone got into the plum spirit. Even the Hook Norton Shires provided a spectacular start to the day by providing an Ascot style procession up the winning straight prior to racing.
Winning this prestigious race for the first time since 1939 and taking their place in National Hunt history books, was 7 -2 favourite Rifleman ridden by Giles Hawkins, owned by John Jackson and Mike Bevan and trained by Richard Lee.
Enjoying the Pershore Racecourse memorabilia exhibition provided by Roy and Caroline Hirons (sponsors of the Prolific Bumper Race) were famous faces such as Jim Lewis and John Chugg – both local racing heroes.
