This popular annual event returns to Newbury each year, part of a series of events spanning a number of European countries including Italy, Sweden, France and the Netherlands. An exciting race card featuring purebred Arabian horses is promoted as a family day out. Entry is free of charge and will include some great entertainment including face painting, henna artists, inflatable horse hoppers, a children’s art workshop and falconry. There were some amazing prizes won on the day, including a holiday to Dubai for the ‘Best Dressed Lady’, two Apple iPads for the ‘Best Children’s Hat’ competition and an Apple iPad for the Best Selfie competition. Dozens of Samsung mobile telephones were given away too and the main prize was a Citroën C1 car!
Best Selfie Competition
It was waterproof jacket and boots rather than shorts and Havaianas that were the chosen attire for a rather blustery day at Newbury Racecourse on Sunday for the prestigious Dubai International Arabian Races. The freebie yellow Jebel Ali Racecourse umbrellas were a welcome saviour to many racegoers during the drizzling afternoon, but not enough to dampen the spirits. Our web and social media volunteer Mark Lewis who was there on the day says:
Like many others, we were entering the competitions for the Citroën C1 and mobile telephones. My daughter had designed and constructed a hat for the Best Children’s Hat Competition. As we were busy studying the race card, I heard the commentator announce a Best Selfie Competition for the chance to win an Apple iPad and it was a simple “Why not? You’ve got to be in it to win it!” thought that spawned the idea to enter.
Mark has a number of Twitter accounts but decided that he would try and win the iPad for the Soup Kitchen. Along with dozens of entries, he entered the competition trying to capture the ambiance of a rainy, but fun family day of races. What would be better than a father and daughter smiling under an umbrella at the course bookies, posted under the Newbury Soup Kitchen account. Mark hoped that even if he did not win, the PR of the entry would further raise awareness of the Soup Kitchen to the local community.
Just putting on cheeky bet for first race at @NewburyRacing for #DIARday2018 and chance to #win #free #iPad for @NewburySoup #homeless organisation. The device would help this worthy #cause. Fingers crossed. #GoodLuck to us! pic.twitter.com/aZgy5CblK2
— Newbury Soup Kitchen (@NewburySoup) 29 July 2018
The Winner Is Announced
Surprised and yet elated, Mark and his daughter were notified on Twitter to attend the Winners Enclosure after race six to collected the prize. Commenting, Mark says:
Unfortunately we did not win any other prizes as a family, but it was a privilege to accept the iPad for the Soup Kitchen. There were many other selfies promoted under the #DIARday2018 #hashtag and I am sure it was a tough choice for the judges.
The Newbury Soup Kitchen, would all like to thank the organisers and sponsors of the Dubai International Arabian Races and of course Mark for his creative entry.