Students Experience a Royal Introduction to Horseracing at Ascot
The sun was shining as Ascot racecourse welcomed 500 local students for a VIP raceday experience on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the Royal meeting earlier this month. The day, with activities delivered by Racing to School, marked a first visit to the iconic racecourse for many of the young people attending; a venue rich in heritage and an important part of their local community.
From their exclusive base for the day in the Heath Enclosure, students enjoyed a front-row view of the action, including the world famous Royal Procession. Scotty the Ascot mascot was on hand to greet the students and give out goodie bags and flags for students to wave as Their Majesties carriages passed by.
Jacqui Greet, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Ascot Racecourse said: “We were delighted to have Racing to School with us this year as part of our local community engagement for Royal Ascot.
“Having the charity offer school children the opportunity of a fully immersive riding experience in our dedicated picnic area with a view of the Royal Procession is truly unique and all schools are eager to return for 2026!”.
A highlight of the day was a special visit from Racing to School ambassador Frankie Foster, who took time to meet the students and see first-hand the excitement of their raceday experience.
Students got hands-on with activities including VR headsets and Equicisers. Dressed in Jockey silks, they enjoyed racing their classmates to the finish line in a virtual race set around the Ascot track, learning what it takes to be a Jockey—an experience that could inspire future interest in racing both as a sport and as a career pathway.
Kayliegh Bray, a teacher at St. Josephs Primary School said: “Thank you for providing our students with such a fantastic experience yesterday. They all loved visiting Ascot racecourse with some describing it as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’. The whole process was smooth and really easy for us as school to manage pupils from getting to the event, parking and through the gates to the school arena.
“The students also loved the mechanical horse and VR which gave them an opportunity to see what it would be like to be a jockey. It must have taken a lot of time for your team to organise and set up so a big thank you from all of us at St Josephs. ”
Ascot Racecourse’s commitment to educational initiatives and community engagement plays a vital role in introducing young people to the sport, as well as helping them connect with their local racecourse in a fun and engaging way. As the crown jewel of the British racing calendar, Royal Ascot continues to have an impact far beyond the track.
This year, Racing to School was proud to be one of seven charities to benefit from a share of £450,000 in profits from the Britannia Stakes, donated by bookmakers through the Betting and Gaming Council’s charitable initiative. This vital support helps Racing to School continue to provide free, curriculum-linked educational experiences to young people nationwide.
We are extremely grateful to the Betting and Gaming Council and all involved in supporting this important work.
To learn more about the Britannia stakes article click here
