National Racehorse Week 2022: Discover the Life of a Racehorse
National Racehorse Week – 10 – 18 September 2022
WHAT: In an experience like no other, National Racehorse Week will host over 150 events across the country to show the public what life as a racehorse is really like. Racehorse training yards, studs and retraining centres will open their doors and invite the public to get up close to the equine stars of horseracing, providing family-friendly demonstrations, exciting displays, and a unique day out with something for everyone. Most events are free of charge, with more than 11,000 spaces available!
WHERE: More than 150 events are taking place across the country, with locations within England, Scotland and Wales. Example events are detailed below.
HOW: Find your nearest event and book your space online at nationalracehorseweek.uk.
From 10-18 September 2022, in an experience like no other, over 150 events across the country, including training yards, studs and retraining centres, will open their doors to the public to show what life as a racehorse is really like. Places are mostly free and you can book your tickets to attend at nationalracehorseweek.uk.
This year’s event will be bookended by the Open Days taking place at major racing centres including Epsom (Surrey) and Malton (Yorkshire) on 11 September, and The Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket (Suffolk) on 17-18 September. Trainers across the country, together with studs and retraining centres, will invite visitors to join them at a multitude of unique events running throughout the week, which are dedicated to showing the inner workings of some of horseracing’s most important settings and which demonstrate the love, nurture and attention that goes into caring for racehorses.
More than 11,000 places are available and are open to all ages. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the stars of the sport up close, together with the teams who ensure that these athletes lead happy lives, both during their career in racing and after they have retired.
The National Racehorse Week special Open Days will showcase a range of activities from yard to yard, offering the chance to meet racehorses in training, as well as the much-loved stable stars who have retired. The trainers will host tours of their facilities, providing the chance to see horses exercise on the gallops, and on the treadmills and walkers. Some yards even have purposely designed equine swimming pools; an activity that most horses enjoy and, just like humans, which offers a low-impact workout. Physiotherapists, chiropractors and farriers (who put the horse’s shoes on) are an intrinsic part of any trainer’s yard, and many Open Days will offer demonstrations and insight into these all-important aspects of horse welfare.
In addition to these special days for the public, visits will also be arranged for schools and other community organisations. Examples of events taking place include:
Ian Duncan Racing, set amidst 300 acres of beautiful Ayrshire countryside and less than an hour’s drive from Glasgow (and just ten minutes from Ayr!), will open to visitors, for free, on Sunday 11th September for National Racehorse Week. The yard will be raising money for local charities, with activities including tractor rides for children, hosted tours of the stables, visits to the gallops and the chance to meet the retired racehorses and cute foals! There will also be demonstrations from the equine support ream, including the chiropractor, physio and farrier. Book tickets here.
Leading trainer David Pipe, whose team have trained more than 5,000 winners, opens the doors of his stunning training yard in Nicholashayne, Somerset, for free, on Saturday 17th September. In an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience, visitors will see racehorses in action on the gallops, in the swimming pool and being schooled. They can also tour the yard and meet some of the stars of the sport, together with some of the stars of the future, with David and his friendly team on hand to answer questions throughout. Book tickets here.
Meanwhile, less than an hour’s drive from Newcastle, Susan Corbett invites visitors to join her for free on Sunday 11th September. “Girsonfield” is both a stud and a training yard, providing a unique opportunity to see the full cycle of a racehorse, with an opportunity to meet the yearlings (one-year-olds), horses in training, and the former racehorses who will be returning to the yard for the day to show off the new skills they have learnt following their racing careers. Book tickets here.
TV personality Chris Hughes, who is a racehorse owner and ambassador for National Racehorse Week said:
The impact of getting up close to a horse cannot be underestimated. And racing has created a unique opportunity through National Racehorse Week to help people meet these incredible animals, experience the life of a thoroughbred and talk to the dedicated teams who care for them 365 days a year. There is nothing quite like this in any other sport. More than 11,000 places are available to book free of charge at locations up and down the country, with everyone welcome to join.”
National Racehorse Week has been funded by the Racing Foundation, with additional support from the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
To find out more information about National Racehorse Week and to claim your tickets, visit nationalracehorseweek.uk
