Race Night - A Galloping Success

Race Night 2025: A Galloping Success.

On Saturday 20th September, the Faringdon Bowling Club hosted its annual Race Night—and what a night it was. Around 50 guests turned out, some newer members were drawn by visions of widescreen horse racing films, surround sound commentary, and majestic steeds prancing in the paddock. What they got instead was... well, let’s just say, it was ‘different’.

Our racehorses, lovingly carved from wood, didn’t gallop so much as shuffle—nudged along a tabletop racetrack with all the grace of a wheelbarrow on gravel. Eight races, six horses apiece, and a dice roll that determined not only movement but also the crowd’s volume. Cheers, groans, and the occasional cry of “That dice is rigged!” echoed through the room. Grandkids of members took charge of horse movement, adding youthful enthusiasm to the chaos.

Some horses were named after club members, eighteen were auctioned off, with bidding reaching £20 per horse. Paula, our ever-energetic social secretary and mastermind behind much of the evening’s organisation, won £55 on the aptly named ‘Hey Paula’. Modest stakes, high drama—coins changed hands with the intensity of a stock exchange, and the joy of backing a winner was palpable. Victors celebrated like they’d just won the Grand National; others consoled themselves with sausage rolls and a vow to bet on Horse No. 3 next time.

Speaking of sausage rolls, the buffet—served around 9pm—was a stampede of its own. Quiches, crisps, cakes and more vanished faster than Horse No. 4 in the final furlong. Plates were piled high, spirits even higher, and the bar flowed freely with both alcoholic and soft drinks.

Massive thanks to all who organised, participated, and cheered their wooden champions to victory. Race Night 2025 was, once again, pure, unbridled fun.