Morag Gray’s contribution to horseracing would require a series binge watch to do justice to decades of service. Racing to School was fortunate to benefit from her passion and pioneering outlook that helped propel its growth.  

One of the most enjoyable experiences in my time in horseracing was being involved with Racing to School – now celebrating 25 years’ of supporting young people. What a joyous sight it is to see young learners dressed in racing silks revelling in outdoor education. What a genius of an idea and so important for the future of racing. 

Founded in 2001, it was a concept ahead of its time. Rhydian Morgan-Jones, the founding Chair, deserves huge credit for appreciating that an interest in racing was most likely to come from early engagement. To combine this with the curriculum made it attractive to schools. How exciting to learn about distance, STEM, measurement, maths, and nutrition when you don’t feel that you are learning at all.  

Racecourses embraced the idea of engaging with their local schools and communities early on. Racing to School delivered. Typically, racing didn’t immediately see the benefit and funding was hand to mouth.  

I was fortunate enough to be a Trustee from 2006 to 2018. Firstly, as a BHA representative and then as an independent director. Whilst much of my working time was spent on the (often tedious) politics of racing, Racing to School was just focussed on the joys of education and engaging young people.  

The initial objective was to engage with 500 pupils a year. By 2025, the overall total surpassed 250,000 and the annual participation is on the way to 20,000.   

Students enjoy time on the racetrack as part of their Racing to School visit

Funding was, and still is, provided by the Horserace Betting Levy Board and also, more recently, from the Racing Foundation. Schools and racecourses also contribute, which is a testimony to the value they place on the events. 

The team that delivers the programmes have always been grounded in their love of racing. Ollie McPhail, Carrie Ford, Robert Bellamy, and many others have been inspiring pupils up and down the country. They are heroes of our sport. Feedback from teachers and pupils is always so positive. Behind the scenes I enjoyed working with Judith Allen and Anne Larkin, who made everything work. I’m not sure they got the credit they deserved. 

One of the happiest moments for me was when my school, Forth Primary, from South Lanarkshire, participated in a Racing to School Day at Musselburgh in June 2011. Some of the helpers were parents of people I’d been to school with. How I would have loved that in my day! 

I was so delighted when Racing to School embraced Racing Together – racing’s community engagement hub. That always felt like a great fit to me. Racing to School provided a nurturing home for Ian Barlow’s (former RCA Chair) vision for our sport’s community programme. Lorna Ewens, formerly of BHA Finance and now an independent Trustee with the charity, is an amazing supporter of the charity, and was instrumental in making this important move happen. She was – and still is – a great ambassador for the charity. 

John Blake and Lucy Gurney have developed the Charity over the last 10 years from strength to strength, ensuring that it is a core part of what racing delivers. It is a fundamental part of our outreach and community engagement. Racing to School is a success story and the sport must continue to invest in engaging with future generations. 

I am grateful to have been involved.