National Racehorse Week project manager Sally Lyons Wins Community Award at Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

26 Feb 2025

Sally Lyons, Project Manager of the Racing Foundation-funded National Racehorse Week, has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to community engagement by winning the Community Award at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards that took place on Monday, February 24, sponsored by Godolphin. 

With a £128,500 prize pot, the awards honour the remarkable individuals who devote their lives to the care of racehorses and the betterment of the sport. Alongside celebrating the dedication and commitment of those working within British horseracing, they highlight the crucial work undertaken by individuals like Sally whose efforts make a lasting impact on the industry. Sally was presented her award by Broadcaster and Racing Foundation Trustee Rishi Persad.

As the driving force behind the community engagement initiatives of National Racehorse Week, Sally has developed the project into a nationwide celebration, connecting people from all walks of life with the racing industry. With Racing Foundation funding and support from the Racing Post and Godolphin, Sally has facilitated 30,000 experiences over the past two years to connect audiences of all ages and backgrounds with racehorses in meaningful ways.

In 2024 alone, Sally coordinated 55 community events reaching over 4,200 individuals and organised 104 open days at racing yards, studs, and retraining centres, attracting more than 12,000 visitors. She also arranged 20 school visits in urban areas, introducing children, many of whom had never seen a horse in real life before, to the world of racing.

Speaking about the importance of the community engagement activity at National Racehorse Week, Sally said: “In 2023, a survey revealed that 50% of people aged between 18 and 24 in urban areas had never seen a horse in real life. This highlighted the need to expand our community work and ensure that those who had never interacted with a horse had the opportunity to do so. If people are going to become fans of the sport or consider a career in racing, they need a pathway in.”

One of Sally’s favourite moments of National Racehorse Week last year was a community event held in York, where retired racehorse Goldream visited a local school. “We did a school assembly beforehand, with a jockey present, and then took the children outside to meet the horse. Seeing their excitement was incredible. By the end of the day, we had engaged with a thousand young people.”

Smaller community events have also played a vital role in National Racehorse Week’s success. Sally reflected on a unique initiative involving Park Palace Ponies: “We took them to a stud for the first stud community event of National Racehorse Week. The children named a foal and will now follow its journey throughout its career.”

While the long-term ripple effects of National Racehorse Week are difficult to quantify at this early stage, Sally has already heard very positive feedback: “We’ve had trainers tell us that people who visited their yards during National Racehorse Week later returned for work experience. Others have shared stories about how it has inspired their children. You hear these little stories here and there. Goodness knows, however long you run it for, how many people National Racehorse Week will end up inspiring.”