THESE days it’s very important that racecourses diversify into other activities.

Chepstow, for example, hosts 30 race meetings in a calendar year. That leaves 335 days available for other events.

Last weekend we hosted what, in many ways, is the perfect event for our venue, we held a leg of the Gwent Cross Country League series in the centre of the track. Hundreds of competitors took part and it was fantastic to see the space and undulations put to good use.

The range of events we hold includes wedding receptions, parties, meetings, conferences, festivals, cycle rides, running events, exhibitions and equestrian activities. If you would like to know more about hiring our facilities, please call our general manager Caroline Williams on 01291 622260 or email cwilliams@chepstow-racecourse.co.uk

We recently launched the Chepstow and Ffos Las Racing Club for people interested in having a share in a racehorse at a competitive price of £495.

Vale of Glamorgan trainer Tim Vaughan was tasked with sourcing a suitable horse and he suggested a (then) five-year-old gelding called Baboin, formerly trained in Ireland by Joseph O’Brien.

The deal was agreed and the club shares were put on sale.

Fast forward to January this year and Baboin had his first outing at Lingfield when he finished a well beaten third, but considering it was his debut for the yard, it wasn’t a performance without promise.

Last Saturday it was time for his second outing. This time in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter. Baboin clearly read the script and won.

Ridden by Charlie Price, the now six year old gelding took the Best Odds Guaranteed At MansionBet Maiden Hurdle over two miles. The winning distance over Clondaw Promise was a length and a quarter.

The winning jockey said: "Baboin travelled well and found plenty when I asked him inside the final furlong. I’m sure he’ll stay further too.”

For anyone interested in getting involved, there are shares still available. For further details, call club manager Martin Higgs on 07831 752056.

There were other Welsh success stories at Uttoxeter on Saturday.

Sean Bowen rode a double aboard Any Drama and The Jitterbug, and the so called ‘Beast of Bridgend’ Connor Brace won the opening race on Daphne Du Clos. Sean is now on 53 winners for the season with Connor on 33.

The weather has been fairly miserable recently but it’ll soon be summer and our popular Ladies Evening fixture on Friday, 10th July. This year we have 90s music acts to play live after racing, including Phats and Small, Baby D, Kelly Llorenna, Rozalla and Cappella. Tickets are priced from £22.

Don’t forget we have James Arthur playing live on Saturday, 6th June and From The Jam on Saturday, 4th April. All the information is on the website.