The ARC Middleham Open Day once again proved a hit with visitors as almost 3,000 people flocked to the North Yorkshire town on Good Friday.
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CORACH RAMBLER’S AINTREE SUCCESS HAILED AS MAGIC MOMENT OF 2023 AT THE NORTHERN RACING AWARDS
On Friday 1st December, the northern racing community came together to celebrate the many successes of the region this year at the ROA Northern Racing Awards. The black-tie event, hosted and organised by Racing Welfare at Newcastle racecourse, culminated with Corach Rambler’s famous Grand National win being recognised as Northern racing’s Magic Moment of the year for Lucinda Russell, owners ‘The Ramblers’ and jockey Derek Fox, who also scooped the Professional Jumps Ride of the Year Award.
Following a stellar year on the track, dual Group 1 winning sprinter Shaquille – now retired to Dullingham Park Stud – was chosen by the judges as the winner for two categories, earning Julie Camacho the Best Training Performance of the Year (Flat) Award and Special Achievement of the Season Award (Flat) for his owners. Both related to his brilliant July Cup win at Newmarket, with the Group 1 victory topping off a remarkable run of six races unbeaten.
The Karl Burke trained winner of the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot in October, Poptronic, was named as the Stud Success Story of the Year for owners Yvonne and David Blunt. That success story continued for the pair as Poptronic went on to sell for 1,400,000gns at Tattersalls this week.
Another notable winner on the night was Sean Kirrane, who partnered Live In The Dream to victory in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York. The young jockey’s first Group 1 winning ride was adjudged to be the Apprentice Flat Ride of The Season.
Dawn Goodfellow, Chief Executive of Racing Welfare said: “The North is home to some of our country’s standout training establishments and racecourses and the importance of racing in the region cannot be underestimated. It consistently serves up some of the highlights of our sport every year and 2023 has certainly delivered some truly unforgettable moments.
“It was an honour to once again celebrate those moments with racing’s northern community. Our thanks must go to all of our awards sponsors and headline sponsor The ROA, without whom the event would not be possible. Thanks also to our hosts for the evening, Sophia Monkman and Robert Hogarth for doing such a wonderful job, our judging panel of Adele Mulrennan, Andrew Thornton, David Armstrong, David Carr and Andy Clifton who had the tricky task of picking the winners and finally, to all who attended and supported the event.”
Full list of awards and winners at the ROA Northern Racing Awards 2023:
Magic Moment – sponsored by ROA: Corach Rambler (The Randox Grand National winner 2023)
Jump Ride of the Season (Professional) – sponsored by Ray Green: Derek Fox, Corach Rambler (Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap at Cheltenham)
Flat Ride of the Season (Professional) – sponsored by Good Racing Company: Paul Mulrennan, Azure Blue (1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes (Group 2), York)
Jump Ride of the Season (Conditional and Amateur) – sponsored by John Wade Holdings: Emma Smith-Chaston, Ballynagran (racingtv.com/freemonth Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase, Wetherby)
Flat Ride of the Season (Apprentice and Amateur) – sponsored by Racetech: Sean Kirrane, Live in the Dream (Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1), York)
Best Training Performance of the Season – National Hunt Trainer – sponsored by Sedgefield Racecourse: Mark Walford, Into Overdrive (William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap), Wetherby)
Best Training Performance of the Season – Flat Trainer – sponsored by Gain Equine Nutrition: Julie Camacho, Shaquille (Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes (Group 1), Newmarket)
Special Achievement of the Season – National Hunt Owner – sponsored by North Sea Logistics: Jimmy Fyffe & Scott Townshend, Benson (bet365 Morebattle Hurdle, Kelso)
Special Achievement of the Season – Flat Owner – sponsored by Newcastle Racecourse: Hughes, Rawlings & O’Shaugnessy (Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes (Group 1), Newmarket)
Point-to-Point Horse of the Year – sponsored by Scottish Racing: Cullin Hills (owned by Carol Milburn & Derryk Milburn, trained by William Milburn)
Stud/Breeder Success Story of the Year – sponsored by Mills Racing: Poptronic, David & Yvonne Blunt (Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1), Ascot)
JOCKEYS FIRST PAST THE POST IN GREAT RACING WELFARE BOAT RACE
On one of the hottest days of the year, the competition was even hotter at The Great Racing Welfare Boat Race on Wednesday 6th September. Taking place at Windsor racecourse, the inaugural event drew entries from all corners of the racing industry with 16 teams taking to the water, including racecourses, studs, training yards and everything in between.
A thrilling day of competition saw 13 heats and two semi-finals take place, before Tweenhills Stud, a team of jockeys and The Oarsome Crew (comprising staff members from Ralph Beckett’s, Andrew Balding’s and Richard Hannon’s) went through to contest the final of the dragonboat challenge in aid of Racing Welfare.
The final was not without drama with the team of jockeys taking the victory but capsizing when celebrating past the post, but it didn’t dampen their spirits.
Crew member Harry Skelton said: “We came here to win and that’s what we did, but it’s been an absolutely great day to support Racing Welfare that does so much for racing…from jockeys, trainers, racing staff – everyone, so it’s great to support it and everyone has had a great day. The weather has been great and it has been great racing so it’s brilliant. We’ll be back next year – hopefully same again, gold medal.”
The winning team consisted of Jayne Howick (drummer, regional community executive at Racing Welfare), and jockeys Harry and Bridget Skelton, Rhys Flint, William Kennedy, Adam Wedge, Lauren O’Connor, Charlie Hammond, Nick Williams, Brendan Powell and Lorcan Williams.
After winning the trainers’ heat earlier in the day, Fergal O’Brien said: “Beating Dan Skelton and Ben Pauling has been the highlight of my season so far!
“[Supporting racing Welfare] is the reason we’re all here – it has been a massive charity for all of us – stable staff, stud staff, doesn’t matter what part of the industry you work in they’re just fantastic – for financial advice, housing advice, they’re just there for everything, just someone to talk to and it’s really important that we’re all here.”
The Cotswold-based trainer and his crew were awarded the prize for top fundraiser on the day. Also in the prizes were Dan Skelton’s team who earned the Best Turned Out award, with the trainer dressed as Willy Wonka alongside his crew of Oompa Loompas!
Crucially, as well as providing a huge amount of fun and entertainment, the event is on course to have raised in the region of £10,000 in vital funds for Racing Welfare, helping the charity to support everyone working in the industry. This would not have been possible without the support of event sponsors Qatar Racing, Windsor racecourse for providing the perfect venue, RaceTech for their fantastic services in streaming and recording the action, and media partner Sky Sports Racing.
David Redvers, Qatar Racing’s Racing Manager, said: “We were delighted to sponsor and take part in the Great Racing Welfare Boat Race on Wednesday – a fantastic charity which provides support to the entire racing community.
“It was a great day, very much enjoyed by all involved and I am confident that the event will grow and grow to become one of the highlights of the racing calendar, drawing all members of the racing fraternity together.”
You can still support the event and its participants by texting BOATRACE to 70085 to donate £10, or by donating via https://racingwelfare.enthuse.com/cf/the-great-racing-welfare-boat-race/post/4111278
Aintree lunch raises in excess of £63,000 for racing’s people
Nearly 450 supporters joined Racing Welfare at Aintree for their annual lunch on the opening day of the Randox Grand National festival.
The lunch, supported for the first time this year by the ROA, brought together supporters from across the racing industry to celebrate the charity’s work and to raise vital funds to support people working in the horseracing industry. The event was expertly compered by Gary Capewell, who spoke to Racing Welfare beneficiary, Hannah Benson, about the help she’d received after falling from a horse at work. She told the room: “Racing is extremely lucky to have Racing Welfare, it’s huge what the charity does.”
The event raised over £63,000 for Racing Welfare, with the live auction contributing more than £10,000 of that total. Top lots included bespoke colours from the BHA, an original artwork painted by Birdie during the event and a behind the scenes experience with ITV Racing.
Racing Welfare’s chief executive, Dawn Goodfellow, said: “Thank you to everyone that made the Aintree lunch such a success – it was wonderful to see so many people joining us from different corners of our industry. The funds raised are going to help us continue to provide our life-changing services to people like Hannah – we are really grateful to her for joining us at the event and sharing her story. Thanks also to the Jockey Club North West team and Jockey Club Catering for providing such a fantastic facility, and to everyone that donated in support of our auction and other fundraising activity on the day.”
New syndicate raising funds with share raffle
One of the UK’s newest and fastest growing syndicates, Catch Us If You Can Racing, have partnered with Racing Welfare for 2023. The Newmarket syndicate, launched in September 2022 by Andrew O’Connor and trainer Dylan Cunha, have three horses in training already, with hopes to add one or two more by the end of the season.
Commenting on the partnership with Racing Welfare, racing manager Andrew O’Connor said: “We are excited to partner with Racing Welfare and support their efforts and hard work in assisting people in our industry from recruitment all the way to retirement. We hope to assist in raising awareness and much needed funds where possible and look forward to a successful partnership.”
To raise funds for the charity, Catch Us If You Can Racing have donated a 5% lease share in their two-year-old filly, Empress Lulu. Prospective owners will be invited to purchase raffle tickets priced at £10 each to be in with a chance of winning the share. The share will last the duration of 2023, with all training fees paid until 31st December. A minimum of 100 tickets will be sold before the draw takes place, with all proceeds being donated to Racing Welfare.
Empress Lulu is a bay filly by Muhaarar. Her trainer, Dylan Cunha, describes her as a straightforward type and hopes to have her ready for her racecourse debut in mid to late spring.
Racing Welfare’s Partnership Manager, James Schofield, said: “We are very grateful to Catch Us If You Can Racing for donating a 5% lease share in their new filly, Empress Lulu. It’s yet another exciting way for racing fans to get involved and support Racing Welfare, whilst also being an opportunity to dip their toe into racehorse ownership and potentially bag themselves a year of fun! Good luck to those who purchase a raffle ticket.”
Raffle tickets can be purchased by emailing andrew@catchusifyoucanracing.co.uk or by using the contact form on www.catchusifyoucanracing.co.uk.
NEW APP LAUNCHED TO PROVIDE TAILORED 24/7 SUPPORT FOR RACING’S PEOPLE
The horseracing industry’s human welfare charity, Racing Welfare, has today launched a brand-new app which makes it easier than ever for racing’s people to access 24/7 support.
In line with the charity’s wider service provision, the innovative app is designed specifically for anyone working in or retired from the British horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industries – people like Archie who works for Kingsclere trainer, Andrew Balding. Archie said: “The app is really useful, everything you need is there, I will definitely make use of it. It’s much easier to use the app than the website – I think everyone in racing should download it! Even if you don’t need [Racing Welfare’s services] at the time, just having it on your phone means it’s always there if you need it in future and it’s a reminder.”
Archie trialled the app alongside several of his colleagues at Park House Stables at the end of 2022. He also commented on the sometimes-personal nature of seeking Racing Welfare’s support: “It’s good to know that the support is there if you need it. Having the app means that you can search for help yourself and in private if you are worried about potentially getting someone else involved with something that’s on your mind.”
The Racing Welfare app is designed purely for users to access information, advice, and support services whenever they need it and is the first of its kind in the industry. Through a simple sign-up process and selecting their key interests and preferences, users’ feeds will be tailored with topics that are important to them. The app will also enable the charity to send push notifications directly to those who might benefit the most from a new service or support article; for example, someone who is interested in financial support could receive a notification when a new grant is launched.
Another member of staff at Kingsclere’s headquarters to trial the app was Hostel Manager, Charlotte Clarke who said: “I look at the app as someone who potentially might need to access support services on behalf of someone else, as well as for myself from time-to-time.
“There’s a lot of information on there. It’s comforting to know there’s another access point into Racing Welfare’s services if needed – it’s something that will help me if I need to signpost our young people to find support for themselves.”
Importantly, the app gives users the ability to access services at the touch of a button at any time, including speaking to trained counsellors via a live web chat or connecting to the support line.
Racing Welfare’s Regional Welfare Manager, Brian Watson said: “I’m really excited that we are introducing our new app to the racing world today. It’s a super resource for anyone who might need to access our services – all the information you can get from our welfare teams can be found on the app. I particularly think that the discrete route into our services that the app offers is going to be of huge value to racing staff, as well as the ability to connect with a counsellor at the touch of a button, whether at work, travelling to the races or at home. It really is like carrying a welfare officer with you in your pocket – there’s no better way to describe it! I’d encourage all of racing’s people to download the app today, so that it is there whenever you might need it.”
The Racing Welfare app offers a range of information, advice and guidance including:
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Careers
- Money matters
- Retirement
- Housing
It is now available for download at Google Play: https://bit.ly/3VK1JJK and The App Store: https://apple.co/3vKa5X4.
An animation of the app can be viewed here.
ROA partnership yields more than £23,000 in 2022
Nine months after announcing a formalised partnership with Racing Welfare, the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) and its members have contributed £23,125 in vital funds to the industry’s people welfare charity.
Across the course of the year, the partnership has seen ROA sponsor both the Epsom Owners’ and Trainers’ and Northern Racing Awards, donate auction prizes, support Racing Welfare’s events at Woburn and Doncaster – as well as holding a fundraiser at the ROA Horseracing Awards in London. In recognition of this growing partnership, Racing Welfare’s uniforms now incorporate the ROA logo.
Racing Welfare Chief Executive, Dawn Goodfellow said: “Our relationship with the ROA has gone from strength to strength during 2022. It was a very positive step for that relationship to be formalised earlier this year, and we are ever grateful for the support that the organisation and its members have extended to us. Their collaboration on profile-raising events and activities has undoubtedly enabled us to reach and ultimately help more people working in our sport.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the ROA into 2023, which looks to be an exciting albeit challenging year for Racing Welfare.”
ROA’s Chief Executive, Charlie Liverton said: “The ROA’s partnership symbolises the relationship that owners have not just with their horse, but as importantly, with those that look after, educate and prime their horses for the racecourse. The importance of racing staff is recognised by all of us at the ROA and by working closely with Racing Welfare we have been able to ensure that critical support and training is delivered across the UK, day in, day out. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Racing Welfare into 2023 and beyond.”
The ROA’s partnership with Racing Welfare continues into 2023 with the organisation supporting the Racing Welfare Aintree Lunch on Thursday 13th April. Find out more here: https://racingwelfare.co.uk/events-archive/racing-welfare-aintree-lunch-supported-by-the-roa/
Home Energy Grant launched to help tackle rising bills
From Monday 14 November those working in or retired from the British horseracing or breeding industries can apply for a one-off £300 payment to go towards their home energy bills.
The Home Energy Grant has been launched in response to the increase in energy supply prices, to help racing staff cover their basic home energy needs during the winter months. It is specifically targeted towards meeting increased home energy costs for those living on or below the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Minimum Income Standard, though anybody working in or retired from the racing industry that is struggling to pay their home energy bills at this time is urged to come forward for support.
Commenting on the rising energy costs, Racing Welfare’s deputy head of welfare, Becky Ireland said: “This year we have seen a dramatic uptake in people seeking financial assistance compared with 2021. We expect this is due to the increase in cost of living we’ve seen, particularly in relation to energy costs, and all in addition to the financial pressures put on many during the pandemic from which people have had literally no time to recover.
“The increase of the energy price cap further deepens the crisis and will see many facing fuel poverty this winter. Thanks to funding from the John Pearce Foundation, Racing Welfare can provide vital assistance to those who might otherwise be struggling to heat and power their home over the winter. This support has clearly never been more needed. We urge anyone who is struggling with their home energy bills to pick up the phone or apply online for the £300 grant.”
Gemma came to Racing Welfare for financial assistance in 2021 when she found herself struggling with the cost of living, she was awarded a financial grant and said: “The grant was a great help, and it certainly lifted some of the weight from my shoulders – it’s a real cost of living crisis now.
“I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending anyone working in racing who is facing financial difficulty to speak to their local Welfare Officer about the help that is available.”
Read Gemma’s full story here
Find out more and apply for the Home Energy Grant here.
How the horseracing industry is working to save lives through mental health support
This article comes fresh off the back of Racing Welfare’s Mental Health Awareness Week campaign, which gained support from stakeholders across the industry and led to several open conversations about mental health and the importance of looking after our own, and each other’s wellbeing.
With one in four people affected, mental health awareness must not be confined to one week in the year – it is a concept we need to embrace and embed into our working culture 365 days of the year. Racing Welfare is working hard to achieve this through its programme of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England accredited training courses.
The charity runs heavily subsidised Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Awareness courses up and down the country, both online and in-person. Usually priced at £300 for the two-day first aid training, and £125 for the half-day awareness course, those working in the racing and breeding industries can book for just £80 and £30 respectively.
Courses are heavily subsidised thanks to the fundraising efforts of Simon Jones. Simon tragically lost his son Tim to suicide in 2019, at the age of just 17. Tim was a popular member of the horseracing community and a member of the team at Micky Hammond’s training yard in Middleham, North Yorkshire. Since the tragedy, Simon has taken on various fundraising challenges to support Racing Welfare’s Mental Health First Aid courses, raising more than £25,000 to date.
Caitlin’s Story – Woebot
Caitlin turned to Racing Welfare for emotional support after starting her first full-time job in racing. She has been working at Micky Hammond’s Oakwood Stables in Middleham since early 2021, helping on the yard and riding out.
Not only was this Caitlin’s first full-time job, but also her first time living away from her family. She said: “I was only 16 at the time, and I was missing home and finding it hard to socialise. The assistant trainer put me in contact with Racing Welfare so I went to the Middleham office for a few chats with Gail (Welfare Officer).”
Caitlin was referred to Woebot – Racing Welfare’s easy-to-use app that enables users to access in-the-moment emotional support 24/7. Woebot checks in with you daily, and can help to track mood, identify patterns and give insight into particular issues or concerns. It helps to give users the tools to manage thoughts and feelings during periods of stress or anxiety.
Caitlin found Woebot helped her in a number of ways: