Category: All regions

An all-star team of jockeys are among the latest to sign up for The Great Racing Welfare Boat Race, due to take place on 6^th September at Windsor Racecourse – but who will be brave enough to take them on?

The competitive crew consists of a selection of former and current jockeys, including current leader of the Jump Jockey’s Championship Sean Bowen, alongside James Bowen, Christian Williams, Jamie Moore, Josh Moore, William Kennedy, Tom Scudamore, Tom O’Brien, Sam Thomas, Sam Twiston-Davies, Harry Skelton, Bridget Skelton, Connor Brace, Jack Tudor and team captain Rhys Flint.

 

Harry Skelton is keen on the team’s chances. He said: “I’m looking forward to it – Rhys has put together a strong team so we’re going there to win! I’ve not done anything like this before but I previously did the cycle challenge for Racing Welfare, I think it’s really important to support these racing charities where we can.”

Teams from within the racing industry are invited to sign up for the challenge before 23^rdAugust to take part in this exhilarating dragon boat race down a stretch of the River Thames, from a pontoon based near to the racecourse. Each team will consist of 11 people including one drummer with the option of additional crew to swap in, and will compete in a minimum of two races, with the fastest going through to the semis and a final.

The Great Racing Welfare Boat Race promises to be a fun, competitive afternoon on the water, complete with a live DJ and after-party for all participants during the evening. There is also a prize for the best turned out with fancy dress strongly encouraged!

Support for the event, which is raising crucial funds for organisers Racing Welfare, has already come from all across the industry, with entries representing The Jockey Club, ARC, Worcester Racecourse, Ben Pauling, Dan Skelton, Fergal O’Brien, Anthony Honeyball, Tweenhills, Newsells Park Stud and Total Performance Data.

Limited places are still available. Entries cost £500 per team, with a fundraising target of £500 and all funds will help the charity to provide vital support for people working in or retired from the racing industry.

Interested parties can find out more and sign up at https://bit.ly/3qBf4un or by contacting Clare Kingston on ckingston@racingwelfare.co.uk / 07891 186494.

Racing Staff Week – the industry’s annual celebration of people who work in British horseracing – returns in 2023 (24^th June – 1^st July) with a brand-new format which includes FIVE races for stable staff throughout the course of the week. Applications are now being invited to secure places before the closing date of 7^th May. Organised by Racing Welfare and sponsored by Betfair, Racing Staff Week brings the racing industry and its followers together to celebrate racing staff, and showcase their passion, skills and dedication, across the breadth of the industry, without which, the sport would not be possible. Responding to the huge popularity and demand for Racing Staff Week charity races, this year Racing Welfare has increased the number of stable staff races from two to five, with one taking place in each of our regions as follows:

• 24.06.23 – Ayr racecourse – 6f
• 26.06.23 – Chepstow racecourse – 1m2f (APPLICATIONS CLOSED)
• 27.06.23 – Newbury racecourse – 1m (APPLICATIONS CLOSED)
• 29.06.23 – Newcastle racecourse – 1m
• 20.06.23 – Nottingham racecourse – 6f

Michael Vokins from Harry Eustace Racing was the victor in one last year’s stable staff races – the Clock Tower Cup at Doncaster. He said: “Riding in the race was an unbelievable experience. It gives you a small insight into what our jockeys are seeing and doing when we take our own horses to the races, and just to experience another side to being at the races that we don’t often see. Winning the race was just unbelievable, nothing compares to that winning feeling when you cross the line and know you’ve won. There’s just no way of describing it. Magical stuff!” Not only do the Stable Staff Races provide this valued community with the chance to experience the thrill of riding in a race, they also serve as key fundraising events for Racing Welfare and play an important role in enabling the charity to provide a wide range of support and services to racing’s people.

We still have places available for the Ayr, Newcastle and Nottingham races with applications gaining a place on a first come first serve basis.

If you would like to enter a race or nominate a rider, please go to https://www.racingstaffweek.com/stable-staff-races/ and complete the application form and return it before Thursday 18th May to Jess Leighton JLeighton@racingwelfare.co.uk