Industry-wide Initiatives & Case Studies
You will find below some fantastic examples of community, education and diversity and inclusion initiatives taking place across the sport.
Racecourses donating Tickets For Troops
Every British racecourse pledges to support Tickets for Troops each year, which equates to over 94,000 tickets donated since the scheme started.
Using the power of horseracing and the Grand National to inspire others
Aintree racecourse’s multiple award-winning community programme uses the power of horseracing and the Grand National to inspire children and adults alike to be the best that they can be. Their three key themes are Health and Wellbeing, Community Engagement and Education and Enterprise.
Britain’s biggest charity raceday: York Racecourse and Macmillan Cancer Support
Held in June, the Macmillan Charity Raceday at York Racecourse raises over £500,000 each year, totalling over £8.5 million since its inception almost 50 years ago.
The day includes a charity race: the Ernest Cooper Macmillan Ride of their Lives’, a skydive, auctions, raffles and bucket collections to support local cancer support services and nurses.
Ascot Racecourse supporting the local community and beyond
“Ascot Racecourse Supports” was launched in 2017 and brings together all Ascot Racecourse’s community and charity work into one programme for the benefit of the local community and beyond. Its goals are to support small, local charities and community groups with a focus on children and mental health issues, in addition to equine charities. Watch their 2020 end of year video below to find out more.
Ascot’s accessibility programme now includes a sunflower lanyard scheme, also in use at Sainsbury’s and some London airports, which allows racegoers to self-identify as having hidden disabilities, so that specially trained members of raceday staff can be prepared to offer additional help should they need it; in simple terms it’s about asking “How may I help you?” when approached. A new Sunflower Lawn is available at the dedicated fixtures, which is a quiet space for racegoers who might be struggling with hidden disabilities and anxiety disorders.
The Magnolia Cup
This renowned charity event sees riders who are the leading women of business, sport, fashion and media, take part in the opening race of Ladies’ Day at Glorious Goodwood, dressed in colourful bespoke silks.
The race made history last year, when Khadijah Mellah won the race aboard Charlie Fellowes-trained Haverland, having never ridden a racehorse a few months earlier, and learnt to ride at Ebony Horse Club in Brixton.
The Magnolia Cup is now in its tenth year and has raised over £1.5 million for a number of charities since its inception. The race itself is run over five-and-a-half-furlongs down Goodwood’s straight in front of a capacity crowd of 25,000.
In 2019 the race raised over £200,000 for Wellbeing of Women.
Latest news: racing’s community and social impact
- Racecourse Association Launches 2026 Showcase
The Racecourse Association (RCA) is pleased to launch the 2026 Showcase to celebrate excellence and innovation across British racecourses during the past year. The Showcase is the RCA’s marquee event celebrating best practice from across the… Read more: Racecourse Association Launches 2026 Showcase - Celebrating a decade of the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project
Racing to School marked 10 years of the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project last week, with a showcase event celebrating the achievements of the young people, community partners, and industry supporters who have shaped the programme… Read more: Celebrating a decade of the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project - The Racing Foundation awards over £900,000 in first funding round of 2026
The Racing Foundation has awarded £963,094 of charitable funding in its first funding round of 2026, bringing its investment under the Foundation’s 2025 – 2027 strategy to more than £4million. The Foundation aims to develop understanding… Read more: The Racing Foundation awards over £900,000 in first funding round of 2026 - Go Racing In Yorkshire celebrates 50 years of championing Yorkshire racing
Go Racing In Yorkshire is celebrating a remarkable milestone in 2026 as the organisation marks its 50th anniversary of promoting, supporting and showcasing Yorkshire’s world-renowned horseracing industry. Since its formation in 1976, Go Racing In Yorkshire… Read more: Go Racing In Yorkshire celebrates 50 years of championing Yorkshire racing - Ascot Racecourse Supports and Retraining of Racehorses partnership reaches £100,000 milestone
Ascot Racecourse Supports is proud to celebrate a significant milestone in its partnership with Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), with £100,000 raised over three years to support the welfare and aftercare of former racehorses. The partnership, which… Read more: Ascot Racecourse Supports and Retraining of Racehorses partnership reaches £100,000 milestone - Racing Staff Week returns for 10th year with new ‘Betfair Bucket List’ initiative
The passion, skill and dedication of horseracing industry staff will once again be celebrated this summer as Racing Welfare launches Racing Staff Week 2026, alongside an exciting new initiative in partnership with Betfair. Taking place from… Read more: Racing Staff Week returns for 10th year with new ‘Betfair Bucket List’ initiative