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3 Oct 2022
The Racing Foundation-funded National Racehorse Week saw 138 co-ordinated events take place across Britain to celebrate the magnificence that is the racehorse.
Following a delayed start as the world paid its respects to the late Her Majesty the Queen, the racing industry collaborated to make 10,000 places available to the public for events at more than 100 trainers’ yards, stud farms and aftercare centres.
The week took place from September 11 to September 18 and was organised and delivered by Great British Racing and funded by the Racing Foundation, with additional support from Horserace Betting Levy Board, The Jockey Club, Godolphin Stables, Arena Racing Company, Japan Racing Association and the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Trust.
One yard taking part was that of Grade One-winning National Hunt trainer Evan Williams, whose yard in South Wales saw sell-out crowds attend and over 300 tickets allocated.
“I wanted to support National Racehorse Week,” said Williams, whose horses on display included Cheltenham Festival winner Coole Cody.
“Racing has been very good to me and it’s important to give something back.
“I think we have a duty to open our doors and show off our horses and how they’re cared for – it’s important to give people the opportunity to see that.
“As well as helping the public understand how much the horses mean to us, I wanted them to see the young people who work here and care for them.
“They are hardworking and dedicated and I take a great deal of pride in employing them.
“The purpose of National Racehorse Week is to show the public how well the horses are cared for and looked after.
“If people can see that and tell others about it when they’re down the pub or fish and chip shop then we’ve gone a small way to repaying the industry.”
Williams’ open day at his yard was a true family event. Attendee Kyle Hart from Penarth on the outskirts of Cardiff just was one of those with a small child in tow.
“We were babysitting my two-year-old niece Ruby this weekend and thought coming down would be a nice thing to do,” he said.
“Ruby likes watching the racing on ITV and has been stroking a couple of the horses!
“I’m not involved in racing but I’ve visited a couple of yards – I’ve been to Paul Nicholls’ and also to Juddmonte to see Frankel.
“I got into racing through my grandpa when I used to watch him betting.”
Many events that comprised the 2022 National Racehorse Week focused on community outreach and engagement – a key area of funding for the Racing Foundation.
Over 800 people from schools, charities, urban equestrian centres and community groups had their first experience behind the scenes of racing across the eight days, supported by charities Racing Together and Racing to School.
Racehorse ambassadors including Ouzbeck even visited those unable to travel and made visits to schools and care homes across Britain.
The Racing Foundation provided core funding for the initiative and Chief Executive Rob Hezel said: “It’s essential racing connects with new people of all ages and backgrounds and I am delighted our investment has helped achieve so much within such a short space of time.
“We hope this becomes a catalyst for the sport to take a much more strategic approach to community engagement in the future.”
