Five sporting legends will entertain guests at Newmarket Racecourse over the May bank holiday weekend.

Ely Standard: Graham GoochGraham Gooch (Image: www.ashworthphotography.co.uk)

As part of the 2018 QIPCO Guineas Festival, on Saturday May 5 the Winning Post Pavilion will feature racing legend Lester Piggott, regarded as one of the greatest flat racing jockeys of all time with 11 championship titles and 4493 wins during his 46-year career.

He will be joined by fellow racing legend and former jump jockey Bob Champion MBE, who heroically overcame cancer to partner Aldaniti to win the 1981 Grand National; and former Flat jockey Freddie Tylicki who was crowned Champion Apprentice in 2009.

The focus will turn to the world of sport on Sunday May 6, where Winning Post Pavilion guests will hear from former Essex and England cricket captain Graham Gooch and Olympic gold medallist Sam Quek.

Ely Standard: Lester PiggotLester Piggot (Image: www.ashworthphotography.co.uk)

Graham Gooch, sporting legend at the QIPCO Guineas Festival, said: “It promises to be a spectacular day of racing, in particular the 1000 Guineas.

“During my career I played at some spectacular grounds, such as the home of cricket, Lords; and Newmarket, as the home of horseracing, is part of this illustrious group of iconic sporting venues and every visit is special.”

The QIPCO Guineas Festival, an internationally-recognised two-day event featuring some of the finest thoroughbreds in the world going head-to-head, is the highlight of the spring season at Newmarket.

Ely Standard: Bob ChampionBob Champion (Image: www.ashworthphotography.co.uk)

The weekend also marks the start of the QIPCO British Champions Series, featuring the first two classic races, the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, which showcases some of the best flat racing in the world.

As the official party following racing, Après Racing takes place each day of the festival, with acts to be confirmed.

About QIPCO British Champions Series

Ely Standard: Freddy TylickiFreddy Tylicki (Image: www.ashworthphotography.co.uk)

The Series features 35 flat races including four of the world’s top ten rated races, bringing together the finest horses, jockeys and trainers to compete for the sport’s most prestigious prizes.

Hosted across ten of the UK’s leading racecourses it encompasses the top British racing festivals, including the QIPCO Guineas Festival at Newmarket, the Investec Derby Festival at Epsom, Royal Ascot, the Moet & Chandon Newmarket July Festival, The Qatar Goodwood Festival, the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York and the William Hill St Leger Festival at Doncaster. For more information and to book tickets for this event, visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk. Or call 0844 579 3010 for general admissions and 01638 675300 for hospitality.