Research supporting National Racehorse Week reveals 77% of people living in urban areas of Yorkshire and the Humber feel happy when they have the chance to be near animals or horses 

In his role as Equine Ambassador for York Racecourse, former racehorse, Goldream, met with Year Three children from the Knavesmire Primary School, York.

Goldream, or Remy to his friends,  is a resident alongside twenty-five former racehorses at the charity New Beginnings based near York, and along with his friend Poppy the Pony,  he popped into the saddling boxes at the course to meet the children. The wider visit formed part of their school arts project. The children also discovered jockeys’ racing silks and the floral  displays across the racecourse, both of which acted as inspiration to create their own piece of artwork.

The artwork will be displayed at York Racecourse on Sunday 4^th September, YorkMix Family Raceday, as well as several designs featuring in the fixture’s racecard. Remy himself will also be present on this raceday and others, so racegoers of all ages can meet him and the New Beginnings team.

Rachel Crabtree, Community Lead at York Racecourse commented:

“Remy was so gentle and well behaved with the children, some of whom had not had the chance to meet and touch a horse before. in particular, one child with autism connected very deeply with our ambassador. It was evident what it meant and how special it felt for the children to pat a horse for the first time, it was very powerful. 

“We hope Remy and Poppy will inspire the children with their artwork, and we look forward to displaying their creations at the racecourse at our fixture in September”. 

Launch of National Racehorse Week

Coinciding with Goldream meeting with the Knavesmire Primary School, was the launch of National Racehorse Week, which takes place from Sunday 11^th to Sunday 18^th September 2022.  Now in its second year the event is where British Racing opens its ‘stable’ doors offering over 150 free events to the public across the country, including training yards, studs and retraining centres, to show what life as a racehorse is really like. 

Research commissioned by Great British Racing to support the launch of National Racehorse Week has revealed a disconnect with animals and the countryside among city dwellers in Yorkshire and the Humber. Across the UK as a whole, 27% of those surveyed had not seen, or could not recall seeing a horse ‘in person’, rising to 50% of 18 to 24-year olds.  However, the research also evidences there is an appetite among people, especially those living in towns and cities to have contact with animals more regularly and 18% of those who have not seen or cannot remember seeing a horse in person would like the opportunity to change this. 

There are known mental and physical health benefits from spending time with horses, and if people living in urban areas can spend more time with our four-legged friends, it is likely to have a positive impact on their wellbeing, with 77% of those in Yorkshire and the Humber saying they feel happy when they do get a chance to be close to animals.

An example of activity taking place across National Racehorse Week is New Beginnings Retraining Centre in Bishop Wilton, York, who along with the chance to meet with Goldream and other former racehorses, will be offering a huge range of family friendly activities, from ridden demonstrations and displays from a farrier, equine physio and equine nutritionist, and a painted horse demonstrating equine anatomy.

To find out more about the charity New Beginnings and their open day across National Racehorse Week:  www.nbhorses.org.uk  Twitter: @NewBHorses