FORMER Wiltshire racing trainer Jim Old has now raised in excess of £475,000 for charity from his annual golf day, attended once more by a host of celebrities from the racing world at Marlborough Golf Club on Monday.

The star team of former jockeys A P McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and John Francome, helped by former professional David Addison, produced some of the day’s best golf to finish fourth out of 46 teams of four that included trainers, owners, bookmakers, administrators and racing supporters.

They competed for prizes donated by more than 30 golf clubs from around the country to raise funds for the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Twenty-times champion jockey McCoy, the greatest jump jockey of all time who was knighted last year after he retired from racing in April at the age of 40, always pledges his support to the racing fraternity’s biggest annual charity golf tournament and was joined by Swindon-born former National Hunt champion jockey Francome and television presenter Fitzgerald, who rode 1,300 winners.

Old, who trained at Upper Herdswick Farm, Barbury Castle, said: “All the top people in racing love to come to Marlborough each year and it’s marvellous to receive continued support for a cause so close to everyone’s hearts in racing.

“It would not be possible without my loyal group of helpers, mainly from the golf club, my family members and the racing fraternity as a whole.”

Marlborough general manager Les Trute said: “This is the one day of the year when we close the course because it is such a special day for the golf club. It is always heartening to play our part in such a successful charity day and it is always encouraging hearing such glowing reports of our excellent course and catering.”

Entry fees from almost 200 golfers, who travelled from all across the country, plus proceeds of a tombola, auction and putting competition, guarantee a further sum of between £17,000 and £20,000 for the charity this year.

Lady Oaksey, whose late husband Lord John Oaksey was founder and past president of the IJF, played her part by handing out gifts to every player.

Breeder Paul Thurman’s team of Charlie Vigors, Charlie Hills and Huw Morgan carded 87 points to win by one shot. Jockeys Mark Grant and David Crosse with Simon Beccale and David Yallop were second with trainer Dominic French-Davies, R Cosgrave, L Davies and R McCall third on countback.