A unique rescue mission is underway in the Oxfordshire countryside, where a winning racehorse named in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II is being recruited to save a cherished local pub from closure.
A Pub's New Name for a Four-Legged Saviour
This Sunday, The Fox and Hounds in Uffington will officially reopen under a new name: 'Thank You Ma'am'. The rebrand is a direct tribute to a successful racehorse of the same name, which was itself named to honour Queen Elizabeth II. The move is a creative response to a worrying trend, as three pubs in nearby villages have already shut their doors for good.
Landlord Richard Starkey has partnered with grade one winning trainer Georgina Nicholls to harness the area's deep equine connections. "We are in a fabulous location and the area is filled with equine superstars," Mr Starkey explained. "We felt getting the four-legged celebrities involved would appeal to racing locals."
Royal Connection and Charitable Cause
The racehorse's syndicate, the Posh Pundit racing club, credits Queen Camilla with helping 'Thank You Ma'am' secure its first title last year. Her good luck wishes ahead of a race at Ascot were followed by a triumphant win for the thoroughbred.
In a further philanthropic twist, shares in the racehorse are being offered for £80, with half of that cost donated to the charity Brain Tumour Research. The funds will aid the vital search for a cure.
A Mission to Preserve Community Spirit
For trainer Georgina Nicholls, the initiative is deeply personal. "We are very short of places for the staff to go to unwind and are on a mission to ensure The Fox thrives," she stated. The event this Sunday, the 19th of December 2025, will see syndicate members invited to visit the pub, potentially see their horse, and enjoy a festive drink.
Mr Starkey extended a warm invitation: "I hope as many people as possible can make it. We are here to celebrate locals, our racing heritage and worthy causes, not forgetting Christmas." The hope is that this unique partnership will secure the future of a vital community hub, proving that sometimes salvation comes on four legs.
