Racing Welfare's Furlong Factor

Founded in 2000, Racing Welfare was set up to help current and retired members of the racing workforce. Its services range from the provision of housing to careers guidance and counseling those with problems such as mental health issues or drug and alcohol dependency. The charity's head office is in the centre of Newmarket but it has a network of welfare officers in all regions of the country.

“Racing Welfare is at the centre of welfare provision for the industry,” says Waterhouse. “We look after stable staff, stud staff, people who work in administration, racecourses or the media. Normally we help around 2,500 people in a year but this year we are only a third of the way through and we've already helped 3,000 people, so our services are really important right now.”

She continues, “A key part of this wonderful sport that we all enjoy is the people, and if we want racing to resume and be healthy and to be as amazing as it was before we had this crisis then we need the people to be there ready to make it happen.

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