
Racing working together to take young racegoers behind-the-scenes at Haydock Park
A busy family fun day at Haydock Park on 8 August featured a transformed Be Friendly enclosure; highlights including a giant sand pit, gymnastics demonstrations, giant inflatable fun and much more.
Aside from entertainment, VIP tours and careers help provided by Careers in Racing and Great British Racing gave young visitors and their families a rare opportunity to learn more about the sport.
Exploring racing careers
Before racing started, Careers in Racing hosted an ‘explore racing’ day. Local young people and their parents had signed up to learn about career opportunities available in racing and at a racecourse. Young people met staff involved in turf management, racing staff, vets and racecourse staff, to name a few.
Their day began with a welcome from Careers in Racing’s Adam Harman, followed by an informative tour of the racecourse led by Carrie Ford from education charity Racing to School. Next, a careers talk featuring videos and real-life examples of individuals’ career progression hosted by both Zoe Elliot and Adam Harman, and a panel discussion and Q&A for attendees to make the most of the opportunity to find out about their particular areas of interest.
Finally, guests made the most of a chance to test their skills on a racehorse simulator before enjoying the afternoon’s sport.
Attendees included groups from local youth clubs whose aim is to at raise aspirations and broaden horizons; to keen local young equestrians and pony racing jockeys. Many jumped at the chance to find out more about upcoming taster days at either the British Racing School or National Horseracing College.
Kids Takeover
Elsewhere on the racecourse, Great British Racing hosted a “Kids Takeover Racing” day as part of their #Under18sRaceFree campaign, where young people and their families enjoyed a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the racecourse, led by charity Racing to School, before trying out key raceday roles such as commentating alongside raceday presenter Gordon Brown, judging best turned out, and competing in a mini running race up the home straight to the winning post.
The Be Friendly enclosure Behind-the-scenes by the pre-parade ring Raceday presenter Gordon Brown taking time to explain racecard information
Find out more about Under 18s Race Free here: http://www.under18sracefree.com/