PLUMPTON Racecourse opens its new jump season on Sunday, September 24, with a family day.

It will be supporting charity The Children’s Trust, which is holding a mascot race ahead of the day’s horse racing.

There will be restaurants, mobile food outlets, fun fair, donkey rides, Derby horse hoppers and much more.

Organisers say this is a great day out for all the family and visitors under 18, accompanied by an adult, go free.

There is also a competition for children to design the racecard cover.

The winning design will feature on the card cover, given free to every race goer. The winner will also receive four tickets to the raceday and be presented with a framed copy of their design.

Entries must be received by Monday, September 11, making it a home project to do over the summer holiday.

Gates will open at midday and there are seven races across the card.

Advanced tickets for adults can be purchased online from just £10 per person.

Car parking is free and the racecourse is next to the train station with direct trains from London and Eastbourne.

Harriet Brown, marketing executive for Plumpton Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to welcome back The Children’s Trust and the mascot race to the racecourse.

“With all the added attractions, in addition to the racing and with kids going free, it makes a really affordable family day out.”

Details of the competition and the raceday can be found at plumptonracecourse.co.uk/family-day/

Entries for the racecard cover competition can be emailed to harriet@plumptonracecourse.co.uk

One of the most compact, perfectly formed, privately owned National Hunt racecourses in Britain, Plumpton is an undulating, left-handed circuit of just over a mile.

The hurdle course is positioned on the outside of the chase course and both share the same uphill finish.

Plumpton takes its place in racing history books as it was the track where Tony McCoy rode his 3,000th winner on Restless d’Artaix on February 9, 2009.