Category: Racing Staff Week

Racing Staff Week: Saturday 24^th June – Saturday 1^st July 2023

Organisations across the British horseracing industry have shown their support for Racing Welfare’s annual celebration, Racing Staff Week, which serves to recognise people working in the sport who make our days at the races possible.

Once again, Betfair have generously sponsored the week, including a ‘thank you’ competition which gives the opportunity to nominate someone working in the racing or Thoroughbred breeding industry who goes above and beyond in their role. Both nominator and nominee of the winning entry, judged by the Betfair podcast panel, will receive £250 in shopping vouchers.

Ayr, Chepstow, Newbury, Newcastle and Nottingham racecourses are each hosting a Racing Welfare charity race for stable staff, giving more than 50 riders the chance to experience the thrill of riding in a race.

All five Jockey Club Racecourses staging fixtures during the week will be offering stable staff free entry to their racedays.

The fixtures offered include two Music Nights:

24^th June – Haydock Park Evening Fixture featuring Craig David and Newmarket Summer Saturday

28^th June – Kempton Park Evening Fixture and Carlisle

29^th June – Newmarket and Nottingham

30^th June – Newmarket Evening Fixture featuring Bastille

1^st July – Newmarket

Staff will need to present their BHA-issued Stable Staff passes at the entrances desk to the racecourses, which will provide one General Admission ticket. If you have any questions, please contact trainers@thejockeyclub.co.uk.

Hamilton Park are holding a free prize draw at their evening fixture on Thursday 29th, offering the chance for one lucky member of racing staff to receive a Hospitality Day along with an overnight stay at their on-site hotel room for two.

Newbury Racecourse are offering free admission to all racing staff at their Summer Evening Series Raceday with the Gin Garden on Thursday 6^th July. Bring along a valid stable pass or letter from your employer to enjoy an evening of live music, fantastic racing and an afterparty in the Gin Garden.

Redcar racecourse are giving prizes in every race for the best-dressed member of stable staff at their Ladies’ Day fixture on Saturday 24^th. Sponsor Market Cross Jewellers has donated sparkly Ted Baker earrings for female winners, and Tommy Hilfiger or Unique leather bracelets for male winners.

The Thoroughbred Breeders Association have sponsored 15 stud staff parties during the week to celebrate employees and teams for their hard work and success.

Racing Welfare are hosting 10 community events across the country, with everything from quiz nights and bingo to coffee mornings and rounders tournaments. All Racing Welfare activities for the week can be found here.

For more information on Racing Staff Week head to racingstaffweek.com.

Racing Staff Week: Saturday 24th June – Saturday 1st July 2023

Racing Staff Week – the industry’s annual celebration of people who work in British horseracing – returns this Saturday (24th June) for a seventh year.

Racing Welfare, horseracing’s human welfare charity, organises the annual celebration which brings together the racing industry and its followers to celebrate the dedicated and passionate racing staff, without whom the sport would cease to exist. Betfair generously supports Racing Staff Week which this year will see five charity races, specifically for stable staff, taking place across the country as well as a host of community events and a competition with a total prize of £500 in vouchers.

The stable staff races provide racing’s valued community with the chance to fulfil what may be a lifelong dream for some, whilst also raising essential funds for Racing Welfare. More than 50 riders are taking part.

The first stable staff race takes place at Ayr racecourse on Saturday 24th June. Local trainer Mike Smith is supporting the race with two runners being ridden by staff members Natasha McKee and Alexandra McQueen. He said: “They’re both looking forward to it. Riding in the races, they learn so much, they get to understand how quick they’ve got to go and learn what it takes to get a horse to gallop in a race. It’s a great experience for them and it’s something I’m pleased to support.”

When asked why she wanted to take part in the race, Alexandra said: “I want to understand more about what it’s like to ride in a race and gain invaluable experience. It’s such a thrill to even think about being in a race and I am so excited to have been given this opportunity.

“It is also amazing to be able to raise money for Racing Welfare who are a great support to everyone in the racing community.”

As well as the stable staff races, Racing Welfare will host a number of community events and activities from quiz nights to rounders tournaments, with the aim of bringing the racing community together. All events are listed on the Racing Staff Week website and are free for racing staff to attend.

Back for a second year is the Racing Staff Week ‘Thank You’ competition, where those working in the racing and Thoroughbred breeding industries are encouraged to give a shout out to colleagues who go above and beyond to help others. To enter, staff simply need to submit a video clip saying ‘thank you’ to the person they have nominated. The videos entered into the competition will be judged by the Betfair podcast panel: Kevin Blake, Tony Calvin and Vanessa Ryle and winners will be announced on Betfair’s Weighed In podcast on Monday 3rd July. The winners (nominator and nominee) will each receive a £250 One4all shopping voucher. Further information on the competition can be found here.

Racing Welfare’s Head of Community Engagement, Adam Ferguson, said: “Racing Staff Week is the highlight in our community calendar. It provides a brilliant opportunity for everyone in the industry to celebrate the dedication, passion and skill of racing’s people, whether that be through supporting our stable staff riders, attending or hosting a community event or entering the thank you competition. We’re looking forward to getting started on Saturday and encourage anyone working in racing to get involved if they can.”

For more information on Racing Staff Week head to racingstaffweek.com.