BUSINESSMAN and racehorse owner Gary Wood has told of his pride that his company, Woodsmith Construction Group, is sponsoring this year’s Straight Mile Series at Redcar.

The series gets underway today with The Woodsmith Construction Straight Mile Fillies’ Handicap Stakes at 3pm, with the final on October 5.

Gary, the company’s managing director, said: “I’ve been coming to Redcar Races since I was a young boy and this is a unique opportunity to support a course that’s been a big part of my life.

“General manager, Amy Fair, and her team do a great job and I’m proud to be sponsoring the only Straight Mile Series in the country.

“Woodsmith Construction is a local company, employing local people, and I’m local to the area, so it’s a way of promoting my own business while supporting the local community at the same time.”

Woodsmith Construction was established three years ago and Gary is planning its future around a more strategic business model.

Amy Fair said: “We are delighted to have a business that’s embedded in the local area sponsoring a series of races forming an important part of the Redcar calendar.”