CAMELS returned to Chepstow Racecourse last Wednesday (30th September) for the 2015 William Hill Camel Derby in aid of Bristol-based charity Paul’s Place.

Nine jockeys contested this year’s event with three qualifying heats along the Chepstow Racecourse home straight, with the William Hill Camel Derby being the concluding race of the day. The true stars of the show were four camels based in Warwickshire. Kokoso, Ruby, Berty and Kazak.

The first heat saw national hunt jockey, Sam Twiston-Davies lining up against Jodie Mogford and Lystra Adams. 22-year old Twiston-Davies roared home to a comfortable win on a course that he is more than familiar with.

William Hill sponsorship manager Jennie Prest, Nathan Ellis and Howard Burdett lined up for the second heat. Prest rode well, while Ellis slipped off the saddle from the start. A valiant comeback was almost on the cards as Ellis somehow managed to cling on by his fingertips until the end; although it wasn’t enough as Prest held on to her camel to win by a toe.

The third and final heat was contested by Chelsea Pearce, event rider and daughter of Stuart Pearce. Sacha Claude and Jackie Menzies made up the field. Again the camels soared off, the 400 acres of Wye Valley backdrop making the whole experience a little bit more bizarre. The race was another close finish but 16-year-old Pearce narrowly secured a spot in the final.

That meant Sam Twiston-Davies, Jennie Prest and Chelsea Pearce lined up in the final. The sun setting, camels showing no sign of tiring and the crowds eagerly awaiting the big race. Pearce started strongly with Ruby in glorious form, rider and camel took the lead with Twiston-Davies just behind. Prest riding Kokoso never looked like a contender, as Kokoso strolled on, looking like a scene from Laurence of Arabia. Twiston-Davies couldn’t get in front, which meant Chelsea Pearce won the Camel Derby with lightning-quick Ruby.

Laura Day, event organiser, said: “I would find it impossible to thank everyone individually but I would like to thank everyone who attended, especially the jockeys who in total raised almost £10,000 from their JustGiving sites. I would also like to thank all donors of auction items and Chepstow Racecourse for their brilliant staff who made it all run so smoothly. Not forgetting Roger Hart and Kath Graham who worked tirelessly on the day and put up with me constantly pestering them for weeks before.”

Damian Downey, marketing manager at Chepstow Racecourse, said: “It’s been a bit surreal here recently, in the last week we’ve had terrier and lurcher racing, pig racing and camel racing. Next week at our Jumps Festival we have mascot and pony racing. We tried racing cows recently but they didn’t make it to the ‘udder’ side”.

Next up at Chepstow Racecourse is the Jumps Festival this Saturday (10th October) and Sunday (11th October), marking the start of the winter jumping season. There is £250,000 of prize money over two days of racing and entertainment for the entire family. For more information, visit: www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk