Horse Racing

Move over Band Aid – Cheltenham Goes Musical

The Cheltenham Festival 2010 is extending a helping hand to a host of charities – The Bob Champion Cancer Trust, Riding For The Disabled, Racing Welfare and the Irish National Rehabilitation Hospital – by belting out its very own theme song.

'Cheltenham' – based on Petula Clark's 1965 hit 'Downtown' – can be downloaded for a less than £1 and all the proceeds are distributed between the selected charities. While it may not be the most outstanding musical achievement of the year, it is definitely inventive. Not only does it aid great causes, it also gives fans attending the Cheltenham Festival their very own anthem – a privilege usually associated with team sports. Every football team has a song, why shouldn't a racing event? Perhaps 'Cheltenham' will start a trend and singing at racecourses will become commonplace; as it already is at a number of events in the United States.

The Cheltenham Choir includes some well-known faces from the racing scene. Trainer Paul Nicholls, Tony McCoy, Barry Geraghty, Mick Fitz, Davy Russel, Sam Thomas, David Pipe, Carl Llewellyn, Tom Taaffe (son of Pat), Noel Meade and Tracey Piggott – to name just a few – are joining the ranks of enthusiastic background singers in this unusual ensemble. Even the most fierce opponents on the track have put their differences aside to record the song together; a rare show of unity (and some self-deprecation) in the racing world.

If you would like to help charities and hear your favourite racing personalities belting out a tune – here is how you get your hands on the 'Cheltenham' song before it is released as an actual, physical CD on 15th March:

On your mobile (it would make a fine ring tone, too):
From the UK: Text 'track5271 m' to 83262 – won't work on an iPhone – and follow the instructions
From Ireland: Text 'music5271 m' to 57501 and follow the instructions

Online:
Via iTunes or 7Digital.