RACING WELFARE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Photographs showcasing the diverse nature of the horseracing industry are to feature in Racing Welfare’s first ever charity calendar thanks to a highly successful photography competition celebrating racing’s workforce.

The competition was sponsored by Betfair and launched during Racing Staff Week, which ran from 22-28^th June 2024 to celebrate the passion, skill and dedication of staff. Entries were invited from anyone working in racing and associated industries including yards, studs, offices and racecourses, with prizes on offer.

Lin Thomson, a work rider from Ed Dunlop’s La Grange Stables in Newmarket, beat hundreds of other entries to win the best overall category with her photo which she entered into the ‘Showing love for the horse’ category. Decided by a panel including Betfair, Racing Welfare and Journalist David Yates, Lin’s photo, which shows a close-up image of a smiling yard team member feeding hay to a horse with its head over the stable door, will take pride of place on the calendar’s front cover.

Racing Welfare’s Head of Community Engagement, Chloe Martin, said: “It was fantastic to see such a great range of photos, representing all corners of the racing industry. The standard was incredibly high across the board and we’re very much looking forward to showcasing them in our calendar. Thanks to everyone who entered, our sponsors Betfair, the panel of judges, and congratulations to all of our winners.”

The full results are as follows:

• Wildlife/nature in the workplace – Judged by the ROA

Winner: Stuart Williams from Stuart Williams Racing, Runner-up: Harriet Hall from Worcester Racecourse.

• Movement and action (think gallops, schooling, racing, yard work, horses in paddocks etc.) – Judged by RaceTech

Winner: Tara-Marie Bjelland from Mick Appleby Racing, Runner-up: Connor Wolfe from Greenall Guerriero Racing/Eclipse Marketing.

• My ‘Office’ views (help us showcase the diversity of ‘office’ view in the racing industry) – Judged by the RCA

Winner: Amy Deans from Harry Derham Racing, Runner-up: Nic Crofts from Lucinda Russell Racing.

• Stars of the future – Judged by the TBA

Winner: Chantal Wootten from Childwickbury Stud, Runner-up: Jessica Rainbow – a BHA veterinary officer.

• Showing love for the horse (capturing the bond between horse and human) – Judged by the NTF

Winner: Lin Thomson (and overall competition winner) from Ed Dunlop Racing, Runner-up: Louis Gill from Fergal O’Brien Racing.

• The most inspired team photo – Judged by the

BHA/Diversity in Racing

Winner: Amelia Norris from Paul Nicholls Racing, Runner-up: Connor Wolfe Greenall Guerriero Racing/Eclipse Marketing.

Dave Yates, Chief Racing Correspondent, Daily Mirror, said: “Lin’s image really portrays the bond between horse and human and, for me, is representative of the dedicated workforce that Racing Welfare looks after. It is a fitting cover image for the charity’s first calendar.”

Anna Glyn-Davies, Head of Campaigns, Media and Brand, Betfair, said: “It was a pleasure to represent Betfair on the judging panel for Racing Welfare’s photography competition. There were a high standard of entries, however, Lin’s image stood out as the clear winner and really illustrates a love for the horse. Congratulations to Lin and to all the competition winners and runners up.”

Lin’s prize for overall winner includes two tickets to the Racing Welfare Charity Lunch at Haydock Park on Friday 6^th September plus a £100 One4All shopping voucher and a copy of the calendar.

Category winners will receive a £50 One4All shopping voucher, plus a copy of the calendar, while category runners up will receive a £25 One4All shopping voucher, plus a copy of the calendar.

The calendar will be available to purchase later in the year, with all funds going towards supporting Racing Welfare’s work in supporting racing’s people.