CAMBRIDGE has claimed victory in the first Varsity horse race - with Colchester Royal Grammar School celebrating success in the competition closer to home.

Oxford and Cambridge universities renewed old rivalries to do battle on the turf at Newmarket in front of 12,000 spectators.

Five students from each of the world famous universities underwent training at Newmarket throughout the summer before taking part in the inaugral varsity race as part of the Dubai Future Champions Day.

Cambridge came out on top by 56 points to 45.

Halstead Gazette:

Picture: Press Association

And there was another contest as friendly rivalry was ignited between Colchester's two grammar schools.

Former Colchester Royal Grammar School student Evie Hampson and former Colchester County High School student Lizzie Hamilton both took part in the race - for opposing universities.

Evie, 20, who is reading economics at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, rode the four-year-old bay gelding Phosphorescence.

And she came second ahead of Lizzie, 21, who is reading chemistry at Christ Church, Oxford, who came fourth riding Fremont.