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The Directory maps nationwide activities from over 130 organisations that are harnessing racing’s assets to help people develop skills, increase physical activity and create a more diverse and inclusive sport.

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07 January 2025

Racing to School posts another record year of engagement

Racing to School is delighted to report another record year of participation and events in 2024. In its 23rd year, the education charity engaged over 17,000 young minds across 456 events, with the support of racing venues and organisations nationwide. The work is designed to deliver relevant learning and careers information to diverse groups of young people, the majority of which will be experiencing horseracing for the first time. The charity met a specific target of supporting more young people identified as having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

John Blake, Chief Executive of Racing to School said: “It is a huge tribute to our small team that they have again grown participation, while maintaining the quality of the programmes, evidenced by the evaluation from our young people and their teachers and tutors.

“We also attribute this progress to our generous donors, in particular the Levy Board and all the racecourses who are enthusiastic partners in connecting with young people in their communities. Identifying beneficiary needs and how racing can offer unique solutions and opportunities is the guiding principle to this work, and as we reach our 250,000th participant later this year, the ambition is to continue to grow in innovative ways through collaboration across the sport.”

Racing’s largest community programme relies on a range of partners within and outside the industry and new supporters last year included Venatour and The Good Racing Company, to complement existing investors such as John Pearce Racing, the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust and Godolphin.

Showcasing racing’s potential to young people is a shared mission and Racing to School was honoured to welcome Rachael Blackmore as an International Supporter last year. The leading National Hunt jockey joins other well-known industry names, such as Hollie Doyle, Oisin Murphy and ITV Racing’s Leonna Mayor, who are committed Ambassadors for the charity.

Speaking on Stephen Wallis’ The Paddock and The Pavillion podcast, Leonna Mayor said: “I’m so proud to be an Ambassador for Racing to School. We need more people to come into racing, even if they don’t end up working in the industry but are encouraged to go to the races and enjoy the sport.

“The charity is key at putting racing out there and showing people how many jobs there are and how fun it is. They’re doing an amazing job and their reach has grown year on year; hopefully they can continue to get bigger.”

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