National Trainers Federation Charitable Trust

Racing Welfare administers this charitable trust on behalf of the National Trainers Federation. The objective of the trust is to provide funding for individuals who have had an accident/been injured in the course of their employment in racing and are, as a result of the accident/injury unable to return to work in the same capacity. This funding is specifically for retraining to enable those individuals to gain employment either in a different capacity within the racing industry or within a different industry.

Grants have made by the trust to assist people who have had falls and sustained injuries which prevent them from returning to riding out, to individuals who have injuries caused by repeated strain on joints, tendons etc which likewise prevent them from continuing in their present role.

Courses followed include plastering, nursing, driving instructing, HGV driving, secretarial and accountancy courses. The later have provided a route into ancillary roles linked with racing where coupled with the knowledge and experience of the racing industry the training has given the opportunity to fill a niche in the employment market.

All applicants are invited to discuss their plans with their local welfare officer, who will be happy to give guidance on the completion of the application form. The application form should be accompanied by a doctor’s report outlining why the applicant is no longer suited to working in their present capacity as well as information about the proposed course.

Stud and Stable Staff are Rewarded for their Dedication to the Racing Industry

The 41st Annual HWPA Blue Square Derby Awards lunch on Monday, 3 rd December 2007 was attended by almost 700 people from all sectors of the horseracing media. This award is always shared by two winners, this year Derek Wilmot and Graham Gray were the lucky recipients.

Derek Wilmot has served the Mitchell family based in Epsom for 42 years. Like many of racing’s longest serving staff, Derek began his career as an apprentice having three rides before putting his dreams of becoming a jockey behind him and settling down as one of the unsung heroes working behind the scenes. Now in his 60’s he continues to ride out daily and look after his horses.

Graham Gray began his racing career as a jump jockey with Arthur Stephenson riding 86 winners before that part of his career came to an end and Derek moved on to work for John Quinn in Malton where he has been traveling horses for many years with outstanding enthusiasm.

The TBA held their Award Ceremony, sponsored by Darley, in late 2007. This year a new award for Stud Staff was sponsored by New England Stud, to pay tribute the army of unsung heroes working on studs throughout Britain.

Terry Albone was the inaugural winner of this award for his work at Wretham Stud near Thetford in Norfolk where he is responsible for eight broodmares and carries out all the foaling. Terry began his career in racing as apprentice to Humphrey Cottrill but decided to move towards the breeding side of racing after a fall ended his riding career.

Richard Dunwoody and His Team Reach The South Pole

Racing Welfare Trustee Richard Dunwoody MBE and American explorer Doug Stoop entered the history books on Friday, January 18th by conquering the Geographic South Pole by a hazardous and extremely gruelling route that had only previously been attempted, unsuccessfully, by Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1914/15.

They arrived at the Pole on Richard's 44th birthday after 680 miles and 48 days, crossing nine degree lines, on a totally unsupplied expedition which pushed both men to their absolute extremes.

An elated Richard said:
"This has been the hardest thing I have ever undertaken, both physically and mentally with every day a 12 hour slog, often uphill, on skis and pulling cumbersome sleds (17 stone at the outset) that just seemed to get heavier as we got lighter. I am exhausted. To finally arrive at the pole is indescribable and my greatest achievement."

The team faced treacherous crevasse fields, one of which nearly claimed Stoup's life in the early phase of the expedition; severely testing inclines up to over 3000 metres; regular whiteout conditions; temperatures of minus 45; as well as experiencing altitude sickness and snow blindness.

Both Stoup and Dunwoody have lost over two stone in body weight expending about 8,000 calories a day, but only being able to consume 5,500 - in dehydrated and high calorie foods.

Congratulations Richard!

Richard's official Charities for the expedition were Racing Welfare, Spinal Research and SPARKS

Donation Following The Sale of The Racing Post

There was great excitement at Head Office when we heard the news of the most generous £2.5m donation following the sale of the Racing Post. The Trustees, Staff and Beneficiaries of Racing Welfare are most grateful for this outstanding boost to the resources of the Charity made possible by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.

Capital projects plans, which might otherwise have awaited a major funding appeal can now be brought forward. The first of 37 additional retirement homes for Newmarket will be available next year. Slightly further down stream is a plan to build £3M of accommodation specifically for young people. These plans, till now largely aspirations, can be given reality by this generous gift though further funding will be needed to complete our vision.

Over the past few years we have seen a steady rise in the demand for our services. Many of the issues we now deal with are complex, and we have to deal with an ever growing and more complicated raft of national rules and regulations. To meet these challenges we have increased the numbers of welfare staff and enhanced their skills. We plan new services for 2008 and it now costs around £1.75m per year to deliver the standard of services which people expect.

So the business of raising funds must go on. Buoyed up by this munificent gift, which epitomises the generosity of so many people connected with racing, we will undoubtedly raise the sums needed each year to continue to serve racing people. But the gift itself will make all the difference in our work to provide homes for the retired, infirm and the young.

Our sincere and continuing thanks to His Highness and to everyone who helps sustain the Charity which supports all of racing’s people.