Horse racing returns to Plumpton for the 2023-24 jumps season this month, writes Charlie Day.

It looks set to be another stellar season at the picturesque East Sussex track, located near Lewes, at the heart of the community.

As well as the season opener on Sunday, September 24, there will be other key fixtures throughout the calendar, including a Christmas Raceday, their Sussex National Raceday, a two-day Easter Festival and a Sussex Themed Raceday where the traditions and values of the local community are brought to the fore and celebrated.

Everything is rounded off next May with their Season Finale.

Run annually in early January, the Sussex National is the track’s showpiece event and garners large swathes of racegoers, eager to see the next winner crowned.

Last season it was won by Atakan for trainer Joe Tizzard.

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing after the victory, Atakan’s jockey Brendan Powell said, “I quietly fancied him today, I thought he’d be placed definitely.”

Both trainer and jockey will be looking for further success this year at the track.

Another duo who will be eyeing up further success this year are father and son combo Gary and Jamie Moore.

Gary is the most successful trainer at the track in the last five seasons, sending out 51 winners in total and jockey Jamie also boasts an impressive strike rate of 30 winners in the last five seasons, placing him second in the jockey rankings.

Indeed, last season they teamed up brilliantly, capturing the feature race on both days of this year’s Easter Festival meeting, the Sussex Champion Hurdle on Easter Sunday with Teddy Blue and then the Sussex Champion Chase on Easter Monday with Black Gerry.

It would be no surprise to see both horses come back and defend their crowns this season.

Gary Moore doesn’t have to travel far with his runners, frequently sending raiding parties from his base, Cisswood Racing Stables near Horsham in West Sussex.

With more local trainers such as Nick Gifford, Suzy Smith, Richard Rowe and Andy Irvine to add to the mix, who will likely be targeting the big races too, it looks sure to be a thoroughly competitive and enjoyable season at Plumpton.

There’s an added excitement in the air at Plumpton as well as they have had a new website and a bit of building work done, investing in a new wash down area and fencing.

It is clear to see that the welfare of the horses and jockeys is paramount and they are very keen to display this.

Of course, they don’t just host horse racing at Plumpton.

Large scale events such as weddings, school proms, corporate gatherings and parties all take place at the venue.

These serve to highlight other aspects of how they give back to the community.

You do get a real sense of community when you visit Plumpton, it’s one of the things that makes it so special.

Overall Plumpton’s extensive facilities and relaxed feel, together with its aesthetic charm, makes for the perfect place to go racing.

This season looks set to be another packed full of drama and excitement.

Look out for meeting previews in The Argus and at theargus.co.uk/sport.