Marathon Team's £200,000 for Racing Welfare

At Newmarket today, Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and his seven colleagues who took on the gruelling, 26.2 mile run, presented the money they raised to Lesley Graham, Chief Executive of Racing Welfare, the charity that provides support for racing's people in need. Sheikh Fahad was joined by his Racing and Bloodstock Manager, David Redvers, and the six trainers who train for Qatar Racing and also ran the marathon, namely Andrew Balding, Robert Cowell, Richard Hannon, Charlie Hills, David Simcock and Olly Stevens.

Lesley Graham said: "This has been an amazing result for Racing Welfare and will greatly increase the number of people able to benefit from our services. Sheikh Fahad is a terrific supporter of the charity and it is clear that the whole team understand the importance of our work. We are extremely grateful to them all."

Sheikh Fahad added: "I am very proud of what the whole team achieved and of the amount raised for Racing Welfare. The training and day itself left us all in considerable amounts of pain and saying 'never again', but it will feel worth it when we learn of how the money raised has benefited people who really need help. We look forward to working with Racing Welfare and finding out where the money has been spent."

Reflecting on the Marathon, Sheikh Fahad said: "I'm not sure you would call it enjoyment, but it was great fun and there was a fantastic atmosphere."