The winning connections on the second day of Newmarket's Cambridgeshire Meeting this Friday will be presented with a sustainable memento courtesy of the day's sponsor, Al Basti Equiworld Dubai.
On top of the £440,000 of prize-money on offer across seven races, owners and trainers will be presented with a three-metre tree of their choice supplied by locally-based nursery, Barchams, who will have a range of trees on display at the course.
“Trees are such an important contributor to the health and beauty of our planet,' said owner and breeder Malih Al Basti, founder of Al Basti Equiworld Dubai, which is the UAE's leading distributor of horse feeds and supplements.
“Whenever I travel I try to make time to take an interest in the natural surroundings, and in the UK I am always staggered by the variety of trees.
“As a racehorse owner for many years I appreciate the significance of race trophies. With Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored races we try to be innovative and to source locally. This initiative offers us the opportunity to fulfil both these ambitions.”
Another unusual twist to the day's racing comes in the form of the cover of the day's race cards which will be made from 'seed paper'. Once removed and planted, the biodegradable cover will release its seeds to create a wildflower bloom.
To mark the occasion a tree will be planted by Al Basti in the pre-parade ring on the Rowley Mile. The Crataegus laevigata, otherwise known as 'Paul's Scarlet', is a British native species and has been chosen because it traditionally flowers in early May, in time for the QIPCO Guineas Festival.
“Newmarket is one of my favourite racecourses in the world,” he said. “I am delighted that the racecourse executive has accepted this gift as a token of my affection and recognition of the work they do to support horsemen and the wider racing community.”
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