Today marks the opening day of Britain’s third National Racehorse Week, taking place 9th -17th September. To kick off a week’s worth of celebrations, 21 racing venues opened their doors across the country today, with 17 events taking place tomorrow.
To mark start of the weeklong celebration of Britian’s racehorses, a giant carrot cake was unveiled at Fergal O’Brien Racing’s National Racehorse Week event near Cheltenham. The cake was designed by Rosie Brandreth, winner of The Great Christmas Bake Off 2020 and 2019 Great British Bake Off semi-finalist.
The baking star created the first-of-its-kind cake, with help from the racing staff at the yard. Brandreth is a vet and previously rode racehorses at Fergal O’Brien Racing. Last year she competed in the Magnolia Cup, a charity race for amateur jockeys, at Goodwood Racecourse.
The giant cake was largely made from horse feed, carrots and apples, and guests at Fergal O’Brien’s event were able to feed a small treat to the racehorses during their visit.
Throughout the week, 130 free events are taking place, inviting 15,500 members of the public to witness first-hand the care, love and attention that go into racing’s incredible horses.
Trainer Fergal O’Brien said: “It was fantastic to welcome guests to the yard this morning to see our horses and give them the chance to meet the staff who care for them each day. Guests were able to feed the horses some of the carrot cake and it was great to see people interacting with horses. For some people this was the first time.”
“We have taken part in National Racehorse Week since it began in 2021 and we’re proud to be part of the event. I hope that as many people as possible get the chance to attend events this week and come behind-the-scenes of our sport.”
TV star and ITV Racing Presenter Chris Hughes, who is an ambassador for National Racehorse Week, said: “I have been delighted to be an ambassador for National Racehorse Week over the past three years. It has been brilliant to be able to show people just how much care goes into looking after racehorses. They really are treated amazingly, with dedicated staff and a whole team around them to make sure that they are in the best possible health.
“Everyone working in the sport is passionate about providing the best possible care we can to the horses we all adore, and I am really proud of the fact that so many members of the public have been able to see that today.”
Throughout the week, the industry aims to bring racing closer to people of all ages and backgrounds, giving those, particularly in city locations, the chance to get up close with a horse, sometimes for the very first time. The community visits will give those who may not have the chance to visit a venue the opportunity to meet a racehorse, to learn about the racing industry and the wonderful lives current and retired racehorses lead.
The 60 community events will include:
22 school visits – this includes 15 special in-school visits from a local racehorse as well as a number of school trips to yards and racecourses
23 charity visits including Mind, tickets4troops, Autism in Racing, Riding for Disabled Association and other community groups
Six care home visits – trainer Martin Keighley will be hosting a visit with racehorse-in-training Mr Mafia to Newlands of Stow care home in Cheltenham, along with five other visits across the UK
Four hospital visits
Five urban equestrian centres
Research[i] commissioned by Great British Racing earlier in the year has revealed that 71 % of people aged 12-40 said that they felt happy when they saw a horse up close. The research also revealed that 64 % of people aged 12-40 said they would like the opportunity to see horses in person, and 78% 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.
During the open days members of the public will experience the day-to-day workings of a racing yard with the opportunity to meet the horses themselves, and the dedicated support team that care for them 365 days a year.
Further activities and demonstrations vary from yard to yard, and include seeing the horses exercising on the gallops, treadmills and swimming pools; welfare demonstrations, for example horse physio and farriers; as well as some yards offering light refreshments.
