Ffos Las Ladies go the extra mile – 15,000ft above the racecourse

Two women connected with Ffos Las Racecourse have already done their bit to make sure this year’s Ladies Day is something to remember – by throwing themselves out of an aeroplane.

Ffos Las clerk of the course Tracey O’Meara and Carol David, whose husband Martin is the Carmarthenshire track’s head groundsman, took part in a charity skydive to raise money for children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan.

And while Ladies Day at Ffos Las on Friday (August 21) will be rather closer to ground level, Tracey hopes the event will provide another opportunity to raise awareness – and much-needed funds – for the charity.

The pair were joined in the challenge by Ffos Las grounds staff members Morgan Hughes and Carol’s son, Evan David, with all four making the leap from an aircraft at Swansea Airport.

Tracey, who had previously completed a skydive in Brisbane around 10 years ago, and Carol opted for the full 15,000ft experience, giving them around a minute of free fall.

The two men jumped from 10,000ft, with around 30 seconds of free fall.

“It was brilliant,” says Tracey, who was inspired to take on the challenge after repeatedly seeing skydive advertisements on Instagram.

“I suppose you don’t have the opportunity to back out of it when you’re in the air, to be fair! But no, it’s great.

“You just have to go with it, don’t you, and embrace the free-falling part.”

The group – who completed the jump last Sunday – were fortunate with the weather and enjoyed spectacular views over Swansea and West Wales as they descended under their parachutes.

Ffos Las skydivers Morgan Hughes, Carol David, Evan David and Tracey O’Meara. Pic: Ffos Las Racecourse

“The scenery is wonderful coming down over Swansea and the Gower,” says Tracey. “It was absolutely beautiful.

“When you’re coming down with the parachute and you’re just kind of hanging there nicely, and having a look at the view, it was lovely.”

The jump was particularly significant for Carol, who is not a confident flyer.

Tracey revealed she had persuaded her friend to upgrade to the 15,000ft jump.

“I surprised her when I said, ‘Oh, let’s do the 15,000 feet,’ and she agreed to it,” she said.

“I was a little bit taken aback. I thought, ‘‘Oh, that’s brave. Fair play.’

“And she just got on and did it.”

All four participants completed their jumps safely, with the tandem instructors bringing considerable experience to the challenge.

“They have 1,600-odd jumps done. So you’re pretty safe with them.” says Tracey, who became clerk of the course at Ffos Las two-and-and-a-half years ago after making history in the Republic of Ireland by becoming the first woman in Irish racing history to achieve clerk of the course status in 2019

Her fundraising has also proved a success, with Tracey alone having raised £1,884 through her fundraising page. 

Collectively, the four are understood to have raised close to £5,000.

But the Ffos Las connection with Ty Hafan could go further.

Racecourse officials are considering staging a special charity day for children supported by the hospice, while a presentation of the fundraising cheque could also take place at Ffos Las.

Tracey believes it would be a fitting way to celebrate the effort made by the four skydivers.

“There is definitely a feel-good factor,” she says. “Everybody was buzzing once we had done it.”

For Tracey, the jump was a reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone can feel very worthwhile when there is a greater purpose behind it.

“I’d highly recommend it,” she says. “One hundred per cent.”

Now, attention turns to Ffos Las Ladies Day on Friday, one of the biggest occasions on the racecourse’s calendar, when racegoers combine summer vibes with stylish outfits to watch the sport of kings.

Tracey expects the crowds and atmosphere to provide another perfect platform for the racecourse’s charity fundraising efforts.

“It’s great to see so people around, and the atmosphere that it creates. It’s always a brilliant day.”

And after taking the plunge from 15,000ft, Tracey and Carol can certainly claim to have done their bit to get Ladies Day off to a flying start.

Donations to the Ty Hafan Skydive can be made here: