Britain’s National Racehorse Week [Sept 7-15] was launched on Friday morning when former racehorse Chase The Wind visited Media City in Salford.
National Racehorse Week is a nationwide celebration of the Thoroughbred, giving the public a chance to attend 100-plus free events. The week-long event is in its fourth year and shines a light on the incredible levels of care provided to racehorses by the sport’s dedicated trainers and racing staff.
Trainer Jo Foster brought 15-year-old Chase The Wind – a six-time winner last seen in the point-to-point sphere – to the famous innovation hub built on the site of Manchester Docks. They were joined by TV personality Chris Hughes, who is National Racehorse Week ambassador, and social media star and farrier Sam Dracott.
Dracott gave farrier demonstrations to the public, something that will be available at many of the events taking place during National Racehorse Week.
West Yorkshire-based Foster said: “It was great to be at Media City today, allowing the public to meet the horses, many for the first time. Similarly, National Racehorse Week gives the public a unique and amazing opportunity to meet the equine athletes in their home environment and see how loved and respected they are by those who care for them.
“As the week begins, I hope that as many people as possible get the chance to attend events this week and come behind-the-scenes of our sport.”
ITV racing personality Hughes added: “I am delighted to have been the ambassador for National Racehorse Week for the past four years and it has been brilliant to be able to show people just how much care goes into looking after racehorses.
“They really are treated amazingly, with dedicated staff and a whole team around them to make sure that they are in the best possible health. Everyone working in the sport is passionate about providing the best possible care we can to the horses we all adore, and I am really proud of the fact that so many members of the public have been able to see that today.”
A total of 14 racing venues will open their doors across the country for open days on Saturday as part of National Racehorse Week, as well as six community events.
Throughout the week, the industry aims to bring racing closer to people of all ages and backgrounds (particularly in city locations) to give them the chance to get up close with a horse.
The 50 community events include:
- Schools – Jockeys James Bowen, Lilly Pinchin, Jo Mason and Paul Mulrennan will be visiting schools in York, Hungerford and Oxfordshire. Overall, there will be 10 school visits across the week as well as schools visiting yards and racecourses.
- Hospitals – New Beginnings to visit Stockton Hall Hospital with an ex-racehorse.
- Youth and charity groups - Autism in Racing, Unique Kidz, BHS Changing Lives, West Sussex Minds, Urban Equinz and more.
During the open days members of the public will experience the day-to-day workings of a racing yard with the opportunity to meet the horses themselves, and the dedicated support team that care for them 365 days a year.
Further activities and demonstrations vary from yard-to-yard, and include seeing the horses exercising on the gallops, treadmills and swimming pools; welfare demonstrations, horse physio and farriers, as well as offering light refreshments.
• Visit the National Racehorse Week website and the Great British Racing website
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