I AM writing today’s column just after finishing a Monday morning photo shoot with jockeys Richard Johnson and Sean Bowen.

Richard, as well as being champion jump jockey, is an ambassador for Chepstow Racecourse, and Sean carries out the same duties for Ffos Las. We use them regularly to help promote both courses.

The riders called into Chepstow en route to riding at Worcester. They were meeting new sponsors who are supporting our courses during the winter, including Neath-based Low Cost Vans, Cotswold Stone Supplies from Tetbury and HotSpring South West and Wales, a successful supplier of hot tubs across the region.

Racing, like all sports, survives on commercial support and I am delighted these businesses have agreed to sponsor numerous races at our courses. They are adding their names to prestigious races like the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle, the Welsh Champion Hurdle and the Silver Trophy.

We are lucky to have the services of Richard and Sean. They are at opposite ends of their careers with Richard the current champion and Sean one of a handful of riders who could succeed him to the number one position in future years. Both of them are superb ambassadors for our tracks.

Last weekend they had a couple of days off because there were no jump meetings. This gave them both the opportunity to attend the wedding of fellow jockey Tom O’Brien, who has plenty of local connections and rides regularly for trainer Robert Stephens who is based in Penhow. Tom also won last year’s Coral Welsh Grand National on Elegant Escape.

If any readers would like to walk the course at Chepstow with Richard Johnson on Saturday, 12th October, call the office on 01291 622260 to book your place. The walk will give you an understanding of the challenges faced by horse and jockey during race conditions.

For many years Richard was runner-up to the great Sir Anthony McCoy in the jockeys’ championship and the former champion came out of retirement at the weekend for a very special cause.

He rode in a charity race at the Curragh in Ireland in aid of Cancer Trials Ireland. The race was arranged by one of Ireland’s leading flat jockeys Pat Smullen, who was diagnosed with cancer last year.

McCoy (of course) won the race which attracted an all star line-up of retired jockeys, including Ruby Walsh, Kieren Fallon, Charlie Swan, Johnny Murtagh and Joseph O’Brien.

It was tremendous to see the racing community get behind such a worthwhile cause.

Closer to home, our next race meeting at Chepstow is the two-day Jump Season Opener on Friday, 11th and Saturday, 12th October.