Eccleshill’s Meep the Roadrunner aka Martin Steele join over 80 other mascots at Wetherby Race Course on what turned out to be a cold, wet and windy morning with a promise of a little respite by the time the race started early afternoon. Organised in aid of Sue Ryder, the Mascot Gold Cup event set the Guinness World Record for the Most Mascots in a Race in 2015 and continues to be a fun-filled day out for all the family while helping Sue Ryder to provide expert care, this year saw the 17th Edition of the fun-filled race. The 2024 event was bigger and better than ever and with their new partnership with Poundland, some great £1 offers helped people get involved this year. Arriving at the racecourse, all the Mascots first take part in the Mascot Parade in the official parade ring where punters can place their bets on their favourites, it was no secret that Meep was one of the people’s favourites! Several prizes were up for grabs during the Mascot Parade, including the coveted ‘Best Mascot on Parade’ which went to s Spanner and best dancer awarded to Poundland Pup!! After assembling in the ‘shed’ for inspection Meep was downgraded from a B runner to a C with a bigger time handicap because he was wearing trainers!! (Some knobbling going on here?!!)
As the gun sounded off wnet the A runners, followed by the B runners and finally the C and D pack, Meep stormed up the field gaining on lots of the mascots but the time constraint coupled with the short course (a furlong with 6 ‘fences’ to jump, proved a big and despite closing in, sadly he finished slightly behind the leaders, BUT a fantastic effort and there are videos to prove it! Well done Meep – bring on 2025!
