Racing to School’s Spring Newsletter

Enjoy Racing to School’s spring newsletter below.

As we welcome spring in Racing to School’s 25th anniversary year, we reflect on a record-breaking start to 2026.

Across 132 events at racecourses and other key horseracing venues, we have already supported the learning of 4,683 young people, and the team is striding towards engaging a record 18,500 participants this year.

From immersive experiences at Festival Monday at Cheltenham to a packed series of events delivered as part of the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project’s 10th anniversary, the winter months have been filled with impactful learning opportunities for diverse groups of young people across Britain.

We also welcomed two new Trustees to the Board, Stuart Williamson, formerly Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at The Jockey Club and now working with the Premier League, and Lorna Shohani, who supported the charity in her past role as Financial Accountant at the British Horseracing Authority.

Festival Monday takes centre stage ahead of the Cheltenham Festival

Pupils meet ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin and National Hunt jockey Danny Mullins as part of Festival Monday

The fourth annual Festival Monday, held with the support of The Jockey Club and Gallagher Insurance at Cheltenham Racecourse, once again proved to be a standout event in Racing to School’s calendar, offering a behind-the-scenes experience for local pupils at the very heart of jump racing

The initiative welcomed five school groups to Prestbury Park, where they explored areas usually out of bounds to the public, including the weighing room and parade ring. The day featured hands-on learning with former jockeys Daryl Jacob and Mick Fitzgerald. There were sessions on the Equiciser, the charity’s mechanical horses, and an immersive virtual reality experience hosted by our partners JockeyCam. A highlight was the chance to visit the jockeys’ changing room and to see the signatures of famous riders that had won the big races at The Festival over many decades.

Pupils meet Racing to School ambassador Frankie Foster and former jockey Daryl Jacobs

The school groups also met equine stars Freddie the Pony and retired racehorse Saphir Du Rheu, while National Hunt jockey Danny Mullins joined ITV’s Ed Chamberlin to speak about life in the saddle, helping to connect local young people with the heritage of their hometown and the significance of events such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Celebrating 25 years of Racing to School

This year, Racing to School celebrates 25 years of delivering free, curriculum-linked learning experiences for young people through horseracing.

We are inviting partners across the sport to help mark this milestone. This is a celebration for how racing has supported the charity’s programmes to become the sport’s largest community initiative, with demand for the work at its highest level. The work has evolved over the years as we continue to find ways to improve the way we work and how we measure our impact.

Whether you’re a school, Pony Club, youth group or racecourse, there are a number of ways to get involved.

Find out more here.

Ollie McPhail marks 20 years of inspiring young mind

Ollie McPhail helps students learn how to read a racecard at the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project

Racing to School Programme Manager Ollie McPhail is celebrating 20 years with the charity, marking a significant achievement in a career dedicated to inspiring young people through racing.

A former jockey with more than 120 winners, Ollie has played a key role in delivering learning days across the country since joining in 2006, helping thousands of young people engage with the sport.

His contribution reflects the commitment of the team working across racing to support our beneficiaries build confidence, develop new skills and discover future opportunities.

Looking ahead

As we look ahead to the summer term, the team continues to deliver a busy programme of activity nationwide, offering a range of experiences that bring the thrill of horseracing to life.

The ever-popular Under Starter’s Orders programme, delivered in partnership with Newmarket Racecourses, Jockey Club Estates and Godolphin, returns this month. The three-event initiative provides local pupils with an in-depth introduction to racing, including visits to Dalham Hall Stud, the National Horseracing Museum, The National Stud and Newmarket’s July Racecourse, where many pupils will experience their first close-up interaction with a horse.

Racing to School pupils visit Dalham Hall Stud as part of the Under Starter’s Orders activities in 2025

We are proud to be working with Royal Ascot again this year, offering local schoolchildren an interactive experience through VR technology and use of the charity’s Equicisers, alongside the opportunity to enjoy the unique spectacle of the Royal Procession at one of racing’s most prestigious events.

Thank you for your support

We want to say a special thank you to all our supporters; the Levy Board; racing stakeholders; charitable trusts; racecourses; Pony Club Branches and Centres, schools and colleges and the many individuals who underpin the effectiveness of our work.

We are committed to create, measure and continually improve meaningful experiences for our young beneficiaries – we hope that we can rely on your friendship to do this work for the remainder of this year and beyond.

Please consider supporting us today through a donation to the charity; or by running an event or activity on our behalf (contact jen@racingtoschool.co.uk).