The Lambourn Racing Welfare team recently organised their own version of the television show ‘Ready Steady Cook’  to help launch ‘Feelgood Fodder’. The evening took place at Oaksley House, the new facility recently opened by The Injured Jockeys Fund and a  crowd of supporters turned up to cheer on the two teams, the ‘Red Saddles’ and the ‘Green Bridles’, and to taste and judge the food. Racing Welfare’s  Rowan Hyde and Sarah Hopkins, took Ainsley Harriot’s role as hosts.  The two teams were given bags containing mystery ingredients  - which had cost just £5 - and after 10 minutes of brainstorming, they battled it out against the clock to come up with a two course meal in 40 minutes, culminating in a thrilling rush to the finish. Both teams were very creative and  made full use of all the ingredients and of Oaksey House’s superb kitchen. After the tasting and much deliberation from the audience it was the ‘Red Saddles’ who won the contest. Jimmy Guest and Jan Proctor, from the yards of Michael Blanchard and Sylvester Kirk respectively, came up with a delicious chicken and courgette dish and followed it with a succulent banana and chocolate pancake. Each received a prize, - donated by the British Horseracing Authority  -  a copy of  the bestselling cookbook ‘Four Ingredients’. The ‘Green Bridles’ who were closely pipped to the post, were Richard Painter, who works for Jamie Osborne, and Sarah Brennan, wife of trainer, Barry Brennan.

This is the first in a series of  ‘Feelgood Fodder’ events taking place over the next few months in and around Lambourn, Racing Welfare's Rowan Hyde said, “This was a great success!  We are now going to organise Safari Suppers, a ‘Come Dine with Me’  tournament , a Christmas Party and lots more.”  Tim Hirst, from the British Horseracing Authority, added, “It was great to see the local community come out and support their friends,. Events like this show that cooking is great fun, and will hopefully get racing staff thinking about their diets.” For more information about forthcoming  Feelgood Fodder events, please contact Racing Welfare  in Lambourn.