Jockey Club Racecourses Launches Champions Lounge
Jockey Club Racecourses has announced a ‘Celebration of Merseyside Sport’ for Grand National Thursday of the Randox Health Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, 12th April 2018.
The newly renamed Grand National Thursday – A Day for Champions, will celebrate the successes of sport across Merseyside with a brand new Champions Lounge which will include sports stars from across Merseyside. The stars will also be part of a new Opening Ceremony on the day.
The new Champions Lounge will be located next to Aintree’s Parade Ring and hosted by BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker.
It will consist of Q&A sessions throughout Grand National Thursday with sporting celebrities including Liverpool FC legends, Kenny Dalglish, Michael Owen and John Aldridge; Everton FC’s Graeme Sharp, Ian Snodin and Graham Stuart; Olympic gold medallist, Sam Quek; Olympic medallist and 3-time world champion, Beth Tweddle; rugby league legend, Jon Wilkin; European champion, Commonwealth gold and world silver medallist, Fran Halsall; Olympic taekwondo silver medallist, Bianca Walden; and boxing star Paul Smith.
Aside from the Q&A sessions, racegoers will receive a buffet in the Champions Lounge, breakfast canapes, Earl of Derby Grandstand seats, traditional afternoon tea, musical entertainment, complimentary racecard and free car parking.
Michael Owen, Former Liverpool FC and England footballer, said: “Delighted to be part of the new Champions Lounge on Grand National Thursday. I’m a massive horseracing fan and the Grand National is such an iconic race watched by millions around the world. I really like the fact that Aintree is not only showcasing the quality of racing on Grand National Thursday but also celebrating Merseyside Sport on the day as well.”
Graeme Sharp, Everton FC ambassador, said: “The Grand National Festival is a global event but, as with Everton FC, it’s very much part of Merseyside heritage. Merseyside Sport has a lot of be proud of so I’m delighted to be representing Everton FC to help Aintree celebrate it on the first day of the three day meeting. Grand National Thursday is also one of the best days racing in the Jumps calendar with four Grade Ones and a day not to miss.”
In addition, to celebrate the successes of Merseyside Invictus Games heroes who participated in the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto in November, Aintree is inviting them to be part of the Champions Lounge to share their inspiring stories. The participants will also be part of the new Military theme on the day as well as the Opening Ceremony of the Randox Health Grand National Festival.
