GREATWOOD, the racehorse rescue and rehoming charity based in Marlborough, is breathing a sign of relief after learning that it will get another chance to hold one of its major fundraising events, after the planned Charity Raceday at Newbury on Saturday had to be cancelled due to a waterlogged track.

Last year the event raised £95,000 for the charity, which provides a life after racing for around 80 horses a year, and its organisers are relieved and delighted the Berkshire course has been able to offer them an alternative - although they are still waiting to hear when that will be.

Sasha Thorbek, the charity's fundraising and communications manger, said: "It is such a relief. We are still waiting to hear back on a few things and the date.

"We have got a few expenses we won't get back, but that's just one of those things."

Before the meeting was cancelled she told the Gazette: “We have been holding our annual charity race day for more than a decade now and it has become firmly established as a hugely popular event with racegoers.

“It costs us more than £500,000 every year to carry out our work, so the money we raise from this event is absolutely vital in enabling us to support former race horses and children and young adults with special educational needs.”

Although organising the horses and riders for the charity race itself is done by Newbury racecourse, Sasha now faces the task of contacting her army of volunteer supporters and hoping they will be able to rattle the collecting buckets and do all the other jobs needed on the day on a fresh date - Newbury has 11 meetings scheduled between now and the end of July.

"Everyone has been promising support, it's so lovely," she said.

Greatwood hope to know the rescheduled date for the charity day by tomorrow (Friday).

Among those due to take part in the charity race was Marlborough teenager Thea Geake. St John’s Academy pupil Thea, 17, from Ogbourne St George, is following a family tradition while studying for her A-levels.

Her grandfather, Toby Balding OBE, trained racehorses for 48 years and saddled over 2,000 winners. Her cousin, TV presenter Clare Balding was also a successful jockey and an inspiration to Thea.

Thea has already raised £2,500 to allow her to race. “Greatwood is such a good charity, “ said Thea, pictured left with her retrained racehorse Quilly.

“They do amazing work retraining racehorses and helping young people so I am delighted to help raise money for them.”

Greatwood, near Marlborough, was the first charity to use former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with special needs. It also rescues neglected and ill treated former racehorses.

Thea says she wants to follow her parents Serena and Jonathan Geake and her two brothers into the horse racing world.

She is already making her mark, having recently won third place at the Horse of the Year Show with her retrained racehorse, Quilly, in the race horse to riding horse category.

Her brother and father spotted and bought the young horse Thea was due to ride at Newbury.

“The horse is called Storm Eleanor,” she said. “She is currently being trained by Hughie Morrison.

“She is the most un-marey mare you will ever meet, and there is something really special about her.”

Storm Eleanor, or Nelly, is four years old and quite new to the game, so both she and Thea have been training hard.

“I am doing a lot of riding out and some running, as you have to be fit to race over a mile and two furlongs.”