Ebony Horse Club strengthens partnership with racing

Residential trip to British Racing School a great success

The connection between young people who attend the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, South London and horseracing continues to evolve as more opportunities are being created to expose them to career opportunities in the industry.

In early April, 10 young people from the Ebony Club and a sister charity attended a week-long residential trip to the British Racing School in Newmarket to learn about a wide range of racing topics. The group was given the chance to practise their riding skills and were assigned the vital horse care duties, including mucking out!

As well as familiarising themselves with yard duties, there were fitness sessions and the chance to exercise the horses each morning. The group also enjoyed a visit to Chelmsford City races and a careers talk by Racing Together partner, Careers in Racing.

David Fleming, manager at Ebony Horse Club said of the residential trip: “The five-day residential camp at the British Racing School gave our young members a unique and immersive insight into the thoroughbred racing industry, an industry that they previously felt was beyond their reach. The care, instruction and life skills they received were a credit to the hard-working instructors and staff at this world-class facility. Our members had the opportunity to learn in a positive, structured and safe environment. They thoroughly enjoyed their BRS experience.”

Young volunteer has day to remember at Lingfield Park Resort

A meeting between Ebony Horse Club and various Racing Together partners resulted in a great opportunity for one of the Club’s young volunteers. Alys Sidaway, 19, has a passion for horseracing and was invited down to Lingfield Park to attend their annual Discover Racing day on 14th April.

Alys also joined the Lingfield team and some of their social media competition winners for a morning tour of trainer Zoe Davison’s yard and gallops at Shovelstrode Stud in East Grinstead.

On this busy day, Alys went on to the racecourse and joined a group of young people who were involved in a Racing to School day. Seeing the inner workings of a raceday included for Alys a seat in one of the official cars that during the races follow the horses on the outside of the track.

The group was introduced to Clerk of the Course, George Hill, and climbed the viewing box in the commentary tower, to watch the action.

Debbie Hay, PR & Partnerships Manager at Lingfield Park said: “Alys was a true delight to have as our guest for the day and proved within minutes how interested she is in potentially joining the industry. Her passion for horses is apparent and I truly hope we can help her to follow her dream.”

Alys, who lives in south London, added: “For a while now, I’ve thought I might like to become a jockey, but I didn’t know how. Today I’ve been meeting and chatting with jockeys and owners and trainers and it’s been an amazing day. I’m totally hooked now and have loved every minute of it. The whole thing has been even better than I thought it would be and I’ve learned so much – there is just so much involved in putting on a race day.”

Alys recording her day at Lingfield Park.