All Weather Championship Finals Day - Friday 18th April

The Easter weekend would kick off with an extravaganza of racing action as the coveted All Weather Championships came to a crescendo with day of series finals. 
Throughout the winter season, connections of all horses that have raced at Wolverhampton, Southwell, Chelmsford, Kempton, Lingfield and Newcastle have had their eye on this Good Friday meeting for months in advance. Since its creation in 2014, the Championships have continually grown in statue and competitiveness. Starting out at Lingfield, the Finals meeting was moved North to Newcastle in 2022, where it remains today. Races are split into categories, varying in distance and prestige. From sprinters to stayers with plenty of middle distance events along the way, there is usually something for everyone. 
A bumper crowd flocked to Gosforth Park, taking advantage of the family friendly atmosphere. A circus and entertainment was put on for the younger generation while quality racehorses did their thing on track for the racing lovers.

Race One: The BetUK Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners:

The opening contest of All Weather Finals day would see a strongly contested handicap over ten furlongs, which would determine the best of the middle distance crop. This race was a new addition to the schedule last season and was well supported with runners coming as far away as France. Last year's winner would be a classy type in the form of Elegant Man, trained in Ireland by Adrian Murray. He would go on to finish in the frame at Group One level, so this year's line up had a high standard to aim at.

Race Two: The BetMGM All Weather Championships Mile Handicap - Class Two - One Mile - Runners:

The second race of the afternoon would feature the milers as this open looking contest took place over the testing and dead straight mile course. Last year would see the longest priced winner of the meeting as Richard Hannon's four year old Talis Evolvere got up in the final strides to land the spoils at 33-1, which also highlights the competitiveness of the meeting.

Race Three: The BetUK All-Weather Championships Sprint Handicap - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners:

Next up would be the turn of the sprinters as the Sprint division wrapped up with its final. The race often features numerous high class handicap sprinters and those who have flirted with pattern races. Last year saw victory go to the revitalised Fivethousandtoone, who has become a classy type on the surface.

Race Four: The BetMGM AWC 3 Year Old Championships Handicap - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 

It would be the turn of the Classic generation as the 3 Year Old Championship came to a close with this competitive looking handicap over six furlongs. Many of the runners have been on the go throughout the winter, getting stronger with each run. This prize would be a worthy achievement for their hard work at such a young age. Twelve months ago, the Berkshire stable of Andrew Balding landed a second win of the day with the Juddmonte-owned Fire Demon, who had been very progressive on the surface previously.

Race Five: The BetMGM Fillies' And Mares' Championships Handicap - Class Two - Seven Furlongs - Runners:

The fillies and mares division is often hotly contested over as it provides not only a healthy prize pot, but a valuable piece of black type success on the winner's potential broodmare profile. A win in a race of this nature will boost her appeal once she retires and the quality of the race has improved in recent seasons. Last year, the seven furlong contest would go the way of James Tate's Cloud Cover, who has since gone on to win at Listed level later that year.

Race Six: The BetUK All Weather Championships Marathon Handicap - Class Two - Two Miles - Runners: 

The longest contest of the afternoon would take place with the Marathon handicap over two miles. Runners would take in a complete tour of Gosforth Park before battling it out for this valuable prize. Twelve months ago, the contest went the way of Prydwen for trainer George Scott. The stayer then continued to rise through the ranks and even contested in that season's Ascot Gold Cup. He would win in a lesser Group Three contest, but it highlights how quickly stayers can progress when on top form.

Race Seven: The BetMGM Burradon Stakes - Listed Race - One Mile - Runners:

The seventh and final event of the afternoon would be the sole pattern grade race of the afternoon, the listed Burradon Stakes. The contest, which takes place over a straight mile, has been won by some useful sorts in recent years as runners warm up for a big year ahead of them. Former winners include future Group Three winner Checkandchallenge, a future Dubai World Cup runner up Gronkowski and last year, the contest was taken by Cuban Tiger for the Karl Burke stable. The winner had previously bumped into a future Guineas winner in the form of Notable Speech. 

The Awards:

Winning-most Horse:

Leading Jockey: 

Leading Owner:

Leading Apprentice Jockey: