Lambourn prepares to go racing again as charity whippet race day details confirmed

A Celebration of Willow #2

Greyhound enthusiasts are being encouraged to swap disciplines for the day this summer by supporting an annual whippet racing event in aid of the Alabama Rot Research Fund. 

A Celebration of Willow will return to Lambourn Sports Club in Berkshire on Sunday, June 29, following an overwhelmingly positive response to its inaugural staging last year which attracted 500 racegoers and raised more than £3,500. 

The event is the brainchild of Shaun Reynolds, who lost one of his whippets – Willow – to the one in a multi-million disease in March 2024 and has raised £15,000 to try and find a cure since. 

A purpose built track will again stretch the length of the village’s football pitch for seven races, plus there’ll be life-sized family games, a bouncy castle, local food and drink outlets, a charity Tote, Trainers’ Championship and an after party featuring live Irish music. 

Some of the UK’s fastest whippets will be in action with owners hoping to land one of the invitational races. And Shaun has called on the greyhound racing community to turn out in force and experience a day at the dogs like no other. 

“Last year went down a total treat,” said Shaun. “The turnout, feedback and enthusiasm to run A Celebration of Willow again made planning a second event a no brainer.

“It’s going to be bigger and better, and I’ve set the goal of raising £5,000 on the night. 

“Lambourn is a village of horse racing enthusiasts, but not a day passes where someone doesn’t mention whippet racing to me. With help from a team of volunteers we’ll make sure A Celebration of Willow #2 is the best value day out locally, all while supporting a cause which means a lot to me.”

The newly established Greyhound Racing UK and prominent owner Paul Woodburn are already confirmed as key partners of the event. 

New to the track this year is the introduction of the Fortitude Communications Human Relay Derby. 

Plus, there’ll be a pre-race auction ahead of the Coppice Racing Willow Memorial Trophy where racegoers can bid to ‘own’ the whippet they think will win the race with half of funds raised from the auction committed to the charity, with the other half going into a prize pot. 

Dog owners can even bring their four-legged friends with them to try their luck at running behind the lure before racing begins and prizes including mornings on the gallops, signed Oisin Murphy merchandise and a signed and framed photo of Constitution Hill will be available via a silent auction. 

Shaun added: “This is an event for everyone with a real feel-good atmosphere trackside. For any greyhound racing enthusiast, I’d be delighted to see you on the day.  

“Willow was a one in a million taken by a one in multi-million disease. She meant the world to me and this event is a way of keeping her name alive while doing everything in our control to raise people’s awareness and understanding of Alabama Rot.” 

Admission for A Celebration of Willow #2 is priced at £5 with the option for racegoers to pay £10, £15 or £20 per ticket should they wish to contribute additional funds. Doors open at 1pm, with the first of seven races starting at 3pm.

Individuals and businesses who would like to support A Celebration of Willow #2 are invited to contact Shaun via 07464 930146.