Racing Centre

The full line-up has now been confirmed for Newmarket Racecourses’ new-look Classic FM Day on Wednesday 11^th July, which will feature classical music performances before, between and after the races. Five different classical performers will take to the stage to entertain racegoers with a summer afternoon of classical music as a diverting interlude to the exciting racing action.

Popular violinist, Ching, will get the musical programme underway with a rousing performance at 12.30pm. Ching has previously performed at Newmarket’s NatWest Rowley Mile Course during the Stan James Guineas Festival.

‘Eclipse’ are a young charismatic electric string quartet. Their contemporary set is highly entertaining and original. ‘Eclipse’ performed their own set with McFly in September 2005 to 10,000 fans and regularly perform on major TV shows like Top Of The Pops and CD:UK. They have toured all over the world and recently performed to a packed auditorium at The Royal Albert Hall for the Barnardo’s Centenary Concert.

Soraya Mafi is a young classical performer blessed with exotically beautiful looks and a voice so pure she can melt even the hardest of hearts. Also an accomplished pianist and flautist, Soraya is a highly versatile artist who is equally at home in opera, concert and recital or indeed musical theatre. On 1^st June 2007, Soraya became the first female to perform at the new Wembley Stadium, singing at the England v Brazil football match on June 1^st 2007, in front of a sell out crowd of 90,000 people.

‘Appassionata’ (pictured above)is a stunning all-girl opera group trained at the top London music colleges (Guildhall School of Music, Royal College of Music & Royal Academy of Music). ‘Appassionata’ fuse rock, opera, pop and classical genres to create a sound that is truly unique and spectacular.  All the musical material is created by the highly acclaimed team of Young Guns producers and their musical show is sensational.

Icelandic tenor Gardar Thor Cortes will complete the day’s musical entertainment as he performs a special 30 minute set at the end of the day. Cortes has taken the UK by storm with the release of his fantastic self titled debut album Cortes, which spent 3 weeks at the top of the UK Classical Music Charts. Cortes has been described as a unique talent with a voice filled with mesmerising power, grace and passion reminding some of Luciano Pavorotti in his prime.

Classic FM Day is the opening day of The Ritz Club July Festival 2007, 3 days of world class racing in the garden party atmosphere of the fabulous July Course and is Newmarket’s premier summer social event. On the track there will be some scintillating performances in the day’s Group 1 feature race, The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation Falmouth Stakes. Off the track, fashion as well as classical music will be the focus as there will be prizes for winners of the Best Dressed Awards and the introduction of a small retail village within the July Course.

Classic FM Day will also be the official opening of the newly redeveloped July Course, as Newmarket will celebrate the investment of over £10m in a redevelopment of the main areas behind the grandstands which includes new bars, restaurants and improved public facilities.

Tickets for each day of the Ritz Club July Festival are priced at:

Premier Enclosure - £32
Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure - £20

Book online at www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk to receive a 20% discount off tickets prices or call the Newmarket Box Office on 01638 675 500.

A special 3-day festival ticket is also available:

Premier Enclosure - £69
Grandstand & Paddock - £45

Media Contact:

Gemma Hussey

gemma.hussey@jockeyclubracecourses.co.uk    01638 675 550,    07774 263 884