How to Get Involved with National Racehorse Week

From 9th–17th September 2023, in an experience like no other, more than 130 venues across the country, including training yards, studs and retraining centres, will open their doors to the public to show what life as a racehorse is really like.

As part of the initiative that invites 16,000 members of the public to meet a racehorse for free, 60 community events will take place. Great British Racing, organisers of the week-long event that is in its third year, hope to engage with an additional 3,000 people through community events.

During the week, many former and current racehorses will visit schools, care homes, hospitals and mental health charities giving people, particularly in city locations, the chance to get up close with a horse, sometimes for the very first time.

‘Many of our students mask their difficulties and the thoroughbred will soon give them away. Students learn to manage former racehorses, understanding the concept of body language and the effect their behaviour has on the world around them. These wonderful former racehorses take time to decompress after their racing careers are over, getting ready for a new life – much like the students who learn from them. It's a magical and inspirational combination that brings about personal, social and emotional growth for all involved.’

The community visits will give those who may not have the chance to visit one of the 130 free events during National Racehorse Week the opportunity to experience the joy of getting close to a thoroughbred racehorse and to learn more about the lives they lead.

Great British Racing’s research also revealed that 64 percent of people aged 12–40 said they would like the opportunity to see horses in person, and 78 percent of the people surveyed said they would like to learn more about how a racehorse is cared for from the people who look after them.

Great British Racing is working with organisations Racing To School and Racing Together to facilitate the community events. The 60 community events will include 24 school visits, 20 charity visits including Mind, tickets4troops, Autism in Racing, Riding for Disabled Association and other community groups, eight care home visits, four hospital visits and four urban equestrian centres.

Jo Foster who is based near Bradford will take active racehorse, Sigurd, to visit four schools during the week. Sigurd regularly visits schools and care homes in between racing, and in 2022, Jo and Sigurd won Good Morning Britain’s One Million Minute Award for their service in the community.

‘Sigurd is an incredible horse,’ says Jo. ‘He competes on the racecourse, but also regularly visits schools and residential homes, which has become second nature to him. I’ve never known a horse so able to relax and genuinely relate to people, from children with special needs, to older people in wheelchairs.

‘For me, National Racehorse Week is about how we, as trainers, can help people and give back to the community. These wonderful horses offer us so much more than winning races: they put smiles on people’s faces and can genuinely help people who are feeling sad, lonely, or isolated. It’s also an opportunity for people to come and see how we, in turn, look after our racehorses.’

To find out more visit nationalracehorseweek.uk.