Doncaster hosts Racing Welfare charity raceday to cap a successful #RacingStaffWeek
Last Friday Doncaster hosted a Racing Welfare charity raceday, including lunch for around 200 people who contributed to silent and live auctions, and a raffle to raise funds for the charity that supports racing’s people. The silent auction alone raised over £9,000 to boost the charity’s support services, which include mental health, addiction, housing and wellbeing services – from recruitment to retirement.
The raceday also featured the 5th renewal of the Clocktower Cup, where stable staff had their opportunity in the spotlight to race ride against each other over a distance of 7 furlongs. Kiran Kelly rode Fieldsman to victory for boss Tony Carroll.
“I can’t really explain [the feeling] to be honest. It’s always been what I wanted, to ride in a race, now I can say I’ve done it and ridden a winner,” said Kiran.
The race came at the end of Racing Welfare-organised Racing Staff Week, which seeks to highlight and celebrate all of racing’s workforce. Activities as part of the week included cakes and sweets deliveries for staff and a £100 golden ticket competition nationwide for 15 lucky winners via Careers in Racing. Arena Racing Company treated their racecourse staff to lunches and 24 members from Jockey Club Racecourses took on a charity run over 22 miles around 14 of their racecourses over the course of 36 hours, again in support of Racing Welfare.
The Racehorse Owners’ Association provided financial support and a BBQ pack for 30 yard barbecues. The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association also lent their support by holding a photography competition for stud staff, with a cash prize of £350 to the winner.
A second charity race at Newton Abbott took place on Friday over 1m4f, won by Arabella Tucker riding Native Soldier for John Flint.
During the week, fantastic new initiatives included the announcement of the Regional Staff Development programme pilot being rolled out nationwide on a longer-term basis. Palace House in Newmarket announced free entry for existing and retired stable staff and ARC racecourses announced a new badge system offering stable staff free entry for their friends and families on racedays at their racecourses. During this week last year The Jockey Club announced free meals for racing staff at all their racecourses.
Racing Welfare also released videos of ‘a day in the life’ of racing roles from the Newmarket area, which can be viewed here:
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