Racing to School proud to support National Racehorse Week with record year of events

National Racehorse Week is a highlight of the Racing to School calendar every September and the charity is delighted to have held a record ten events during this year’s iteration. The events engaged 329 beneficiaries through nine schools at visits to five racecourses- including Newbury, Doncaster, Sandown, Epsom, and Lingfield twice – and five training yards across Britain in and around the week.

Pupils from Cambrai Primary School paid a special visit to the racing stables of Jedd O’Keeffe in Middleham, to learn about the love and care each racehorse receives. An afternoon at Catterick racecourse was due to follow, but transport issues prevented the group from setting off on time. In true Racing to School fashion, the show went on and instead pupils watched the opening races from the O’Keeffe’s kitchen, with their kind hospitality extending to biscuits and toast all round.

Andrea O’Keeffe, wife of Jedd O’Keeffe and Trustee of Racing to School said: “It was an absolute honour and pleasure to welcome these fantastic young people to spend the day with us as part of Racing to School’s National Racehorse Week activities.

The children were brilliant VIP guests, asking insightful and thoughtful questions to our team, Bishopton Vet Neil Mechie and Master Farrier, Steve Hewitt. Everyone got involved and they were enthusiastic learners in a variety of hands-on activities including testing their skills on the Equiciser with Sam Trainor.

It was a brilliant day working with the outstanding Carrie Ford and one we look forward to repeating soon.”

The week also played host to the second annual St Leger Community Education Day at Doncaster Racecourse with over 60 young people from local Willow Primary School in attendance. The event, a partnership between Arena Racing Company (ARC) and Racing to School, aims to connect young people with the oldest Flat Classic in the racing calendar ahead of the four-day festival.

The racecourse activity days taking place across the week afforded pupils the opportunity to see racehorses in action, with front row seats to cheer on top jockeys like  Rob Hornby, who later signed their National Racehorse Week tote bags.

Ollie McPhail, Programme Manager at Racing to School reflected: “It was great for the team to deliver a record number of events for National Racehorse Week, which is so important to racing. The work we do in our programmes every day contributes not just to the success of this special week, but in educating and engaging the wider community about racing all year round.”

Racing to School is very grateful to all our racecourse and training yard partners for their continued support in making this week possible.