Retired racing staff welcomed on Derby day
Almost 100 retired racing staff enjoyed a dedicated trackside facility at Epsom for the 2022 Cazoo Derby on Saturday 4 June. The special area, gifted to Racing Welfare for the day by Jockey Club Racecourses, was located near to the Tattenham Enclosure and provided guests with under cover seating and bar access. Racecards were also provided free of charge by Weatherbys.
Beneficiaries were accompanied to the races by Racing Welfare staff, with transport arranged from locations across the South and East regions, including Lambourn and Newmarket.
It was a pleasure for our teams to accompany former racing staff, their partners and carers to Epsom for a very special Derby day and jubilee celebration. A great day was had by all, and it was incredibly heart-warming to see so many people catching up with old friends or in some cases making new ones. Thank you to The Jockey Club for this wonderful gesture.
Racing Welfare’s Director of Welfare, Simone Sear
Trips for former racing staff play a key role in helping to reduce isolation and loneliness within the retired racing community, helping them to remain a part of the industry to which they have dedicated their lives.
The trip brought back fond memories for Newmarket-based Fred Messer who, on his first ride at Epsom Downs as an apprentice jockey, won the 1966 Great Metropolitan Handicap on a mare named Cullen. Fred reflected on this year’s trip to the Derby: “It was an absolutely super day; we couldn’t have wished for more from Racing Welfare. I hadn’t been to the Derby since 1965 when Sea Bird won in the most impressive fashion, so it was a real treat to be back for this double celebration with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We were massively surprised to have a facility all to ourselves, we had everything we needed and more. Thank you to Racing Welfare for a great day.”
To find out more about Racing Welfare’s trips and outings for retired racing staff please call Racing’s Support Line on 0800 6300 443 and ask to speak to your local Welfare Officer.
