Racing Welfare

Following a record 2021 season, the Henry Cecil Open Weekend will be held Sept. 17-18 at Newmarket. Each September, racing and equine enthusiasts descend on British racing's headquarters for a behind-the-scenes look at Britain's best-known racing yards. Last year featured several training yards, including George Boughey and Harry Eustace, Charlie Fellowes, James Ferguson, Roger Varian and Simon & Ed Crisford. The highest number of yards opened to the public in 2021, and record crowds raised £60,000 for the event's chosen charity partners. The 2022 Henry Cecil Open Weekend will continue...

The Great Racing Welfare Cycle Challenge will begin at noon on July 16 and last until noon the following day. The cycling event will raise funds for Racing Welfare, with 20 teams of four participating. This challenge sees two people cycling on the route in a 30km-loop, while the other two team members rest at the 'Riders Camp' at Cheltenham Racecourse. Among those saddling up are former champion jockeys Sir AP McCoy, Richard Johnson, Harry Skelton and Oisin Murphy. Trainer Ben Pauling is fielding two teams, while racing broadcasters Sean...

Nominations for Racing Welfare's Lifetime in Racing Awards are now open. Recognising those that have dedicated their life to working in racing, nominees are welcome from any sector of the UK racing industry. There will be four regional winners selected by a judging panel and recognised with a trophy presentation and VIP race day experience during the autumn. The nominating process follows the week-long Racing Staff Week, which was held from June 25-July 1.The two Racing Staff Week charity races at Doncaster and Newton Abbot were won by Michael Vokins...

Racing Staff Week, that was started by Racing Welfare on June 25, celebrates the contribution of everyone working in the horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry. The feature events of the week are charity races slated for Friday, July 1 at Doncaster and Newton Abbot. Supported by Betfair, both events will have 12 members of stable staff taking part each and raising funds for Racing Welfare.

There will be a special interactive display on The Hill at Epsom Downs in recognition of The Queen's passion for the Thoroughbred during the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Cazoo Oaks and Cazoo Derby Days, June 3-4. Billed the Racing Showcase, the display will highlight the care that is shown for racehorses throughout their lives, how the racing industry is engaging and inspiring young people to look at racing as a career, the provisions the industry makes for its people and how racing is looking to reach out to communities...

The 2022 Mental Health Awareness Week campaign--that centers on loneliness this year--kicks off May 9 and continues through May 16. Racing Welfare, supporting the British horseracing workforce, launched the initiative to mirror the national initiative run by the Mental Health Foundation. Workplaces across the horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industries are encouraged to set aside time during their working day to take part in the #TeaAndTalk initiative. Mental Health Awareness Week aims to promote open conversations on all aspects of mental health with Racing Welfare's campaign specifically raising awareness of the...

The ARC Middleham Open Day returned after a two-year Covid-19 hiatus on Apr. 15, and over 3,500 people attended. The charity event raised approximately £30,000 for Racing Welfare, with visitors able to visit yards, as well as observe horses training and swim or work on a water treadmill. In 2021, Racing Welfare provided 1,261 instances of support to 149 beneficiaries in the Middleham area. Chief Executive of Racing Welfare, Dawn Goodfellow said, "It was fantastic to be back for ARC Middleham Open Day after two years due to the pandemic....

Racing Welfare and the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) have formalised their long-standing relationship within the UK racing industry, which will allow greater scope for collaboration and to share key messaging and opportunities. The ROA logo will now also be visible on all Racing Welfare uniform. Charlie Liverton, Chief Executive Officer, ROA commented, "On behalf of the ROA and our members we are thrilled to announce a formal partnership with Racing Welfare. There is a natural synergy in our ambition to protect and promote the health of everyone in the horse...

The Feb. 8 Highclere Stud Stallion Parade will now also support Racing Welfare. A donation equivalent to 5% of the nomination sales generated on the day of the parade will be donated to Racing Welfare, Highclere's Jake Warren announced. "Racing Welfare provides crucial care for the wellbeing of people in the horseracing and thoroughbred breeding community, and we are privileged to support their efforts," said Warren. "We are hugely looking forward to seeing breeders next week for what should be a very entertaining day." The stallion parade is now fully...

Racehorse owner Dr Johnny Hon, who operates Global Group Racing, has donated £100,000 to Racing Welfare to fund the Housing Support Officer role for the next three years. The Housing Support Officer helps the young tenants living at Racing Welfare's properties and working in racing to manage all aspects of their lives, setting them up for success. Racing Welfare's Housing Support Officer Sarah Ashley said, "For some young people they don't have family support so I'm the only person they have to check they are doing okay. It allows people...

Racing Staff Week kicks off with the launch of Ascot's Champions Day meeting Saturday. In its fifth year, Racing Staff Week, recognizing the contribution of the industry's workforce, including stud and stable staff, breeders, racecourse staff and administrators, is supported by Betfair through the efforts of Racing Welfare. Racing Welfare will have a presence on all courses that have meetings throughout the week, including 'The Big Racing Staff Week Quiz,' offering staff the opportunity to come together either in person or virtually Oct. 21. Hosted by racing presenters Niall Hannity...

Notable racing charity Racing Welfare received a financial boost during the past week as cyclists and runners earned in excess of £100,000 through donations for The Great Racing Welfare Cycle Challenge and in part from participants in the Vitality Big Half Marathon. The GRWCC, a 500-mile journey by bike from Carlisle Racecourse to Newton Abbot Racecourse, was completed by 26 cyclists over five days, while four runners in London completed the Vitality Big Half Marathon. The team of cyclists hailed from all corners of the racing industry, and included trainers,...