Paddy’s Confession Box
We’ve all considered repenting for our mortal sins by confessing all in our local Catholic church. Now, the residents of one famous racing town can repent their gambling sins in a confessional box sponsored by none other than Paddy Power.
Newmarket has been the scene of some amazing moments for Frankie Dettori. As well as a combined four wins in the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, the Italian jockey lives in the Cambridgeshire town. He got married to wife Catherine in Newmarket, and his five children were all baptised at the local St Etheldreda’s Church.
And, it was at the very same church this week that Dettori performed the opening ceremony of the world’s first sponsored Catholic confessional box. Newmarket’s most famous local resident performed the opening ceremony of the Paddy Power Sin Bin in front of the TV cameras, flanked by Father Michael Griffin and our very own Paddy Power.
The links between the church and the local racing community are strong in Newmarket and this is what led Father Michael to approach us to see if we would assist with the church’s significant refurbishment programme. We jumped at the opportunity, and now the world’s first sponsored confessional box - the Paddy Power Sin Bin - is open and ready for use at the Newmarket church.
Parish priest Father Griffin said: “You should never look a gift horse in the mouth. It’s thought-provoking and maybe it will result in a few more people dropping in to say ‘Hello.’”
