First National Racehorse Week announced for September

News | 12^th May 2021

Britain's first National Racehorse Week will take place in September, celebrating both the racehorse and the staff responsible for the high levels of care they receive.

National Racehorse Week, a new initiative to celebrate the thoroughbreds who power our sport, will be staged for the first time this Autumn; running from 12th – 19th September.

Trainers across the country will be encouraged and supported to open their doors to the public to shine a light on the high levels of care given to racehorses each and every day.

The week long event will feature the existing ARC Malton Open Day and the Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket, as well as the Epsom and Middleham Open Days.

During the week, there will also be a programme of virtual events and a showcase of other parts of the industry and their contributions to the care that racehorses receive throughout their lives.

The education charity Racing to School across its beneficiary schools, colleges and Pony Clubs, will have some activity days planned at training yards for groups of young people. Racing Together will also be engaging the wider community in its education of the racehorse and the work and care that surrounds the racehorse.

National Racehorse Week was born out of an idea in 2019 by trainer Richard Phillips, to create a single event that the entire racing industry could get behind to celebrate the animals who power our sport and provide entertainment for millions. Whilst also providing the public and policymakers with insight into the dedicated care that they receive.

Since then, National Racehorse Week has gathered momentum and support from across the racing industry and is being funded by the Racing Foundation, The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust and Great British Racing.

Great British Racing in partnership with the National Trainers Federation will be putting on various activities as part of National Racehorse Week as part of the Horse Welfare Board Equine Welfare Strategy.

Richard Phillips said, “I am delighted to see the idea of National Racehorse Week spring into life. It truly is a fantastic opportunity for our wonderful owners, staff, trainers and jockeys to come together for a common love of the racehorse and a chance to show the public and policy makers that racing has absolutely nothing to hide. Racing has a great story to tell, so let’s get it out there and tell it.”

Phillips’ sentiment is backed by trainer Rebecca Menzies based near Sedgefield, she said, “I am so proud of the dedication and care that my team take in looking after and preparing our horses every single day of the year.”

“Being able to show the public what goes on behind the scenes is a fantastic idea and I am very much looking forward to welcoming them and showing everyone our wonderful horses alongside the first-class facilities we have put in place to ensure their optimum care.”

HEAD TO THE NATIONAL RACEHORSE WEEK WEBSITE TO SIGN UP AND STAY TO-TO-DATE.