Commentator Challenge

The Commentator Challenge, supported by the Tote, Tattersalls and Racing TV, is a brand-new competition for this year’s virtual Henry Cecil Open Weekend.

We are calling on all aspiring commentators across the country, and further afar, to step up to the microphone in aid of Racing Welfare. Our entrants will face a judging panel led by ITV and Racing TV’s Richard Hoiles, with six individuals selected to battle it out in the final, the winner chosen in a public vote.

The competition is open to all ages and free to enter, with one lucky winner walking away with £1,000 and the chance to commentate live at Newmarket Racecourse during the Henry Cecil Open Weekend 2021.

Entries for the competition open today, Monday 24th August, and close Friday 4th September 2020. For more information on how to enter please visit our Commentator Challenge page. 

Susannah Gill, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at UK TOTE GROUP, said;

“The Tote is delighted to support The Henry Cecil Open Weekend Commentator Challenge which promises to be a lot of fun and will no doubt unearth some incredible talent, just as The Furlong Factor achieved earlier in the summer. The whole weekend does so much to shine a light on how special and unique Newmarket is, and while it has to take place in a different format this year it’s great to be able to all work together to raise awareness and funds for Racing Welfare, the British Racing School and The Racing Centre.”

Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare’s Chief Executive, said;

“The Henry Cecil Open Weekend offers a fantastic opportunity for people to engage with Newmarket’s racing community and really get a feel for the inner workings of horseracing’s HQ.  The team behind the weekend have done a superb job of adapting the event to bring it to the public this year in virtual form.  We are particularly looking forward to the Commentator Challenge; I’m sure it will attract some incredible and previously unseen talent.  I’d like to say huge thank you to the Henry Cecil Open Weekend, along with the Tote, Tattersalls and Racing TV for their continued support.”