Racing Staff Week Charity Races

Racing Staff Week, supported by Betfair: 25th June–1st July 2022.

The sixth annual Racing Staff Week, launched on Saturday 25th June by charity Racing Welfare, celebrates the hard work and contribution of everyone working in the horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry.

Charity Races

The feature events of the week are charity races taking place on Friday 1st July at Doncaster and Newton Abbot. Both events are generously supported by Betfair, with 12 members of stable staff taking part in each and raising funds for Racing Welfare.

Preparing to take on the challenge in the Betfair Clock Tower Cup at Doncaster is nineteen-year-old Rebecca Burley. Rebecca, who works for North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby, explains why she chose to sign up for this year’s race: “I’m so grateful to Racing Welfare for the opportunity to ride in the Betfair Clock Tower Cup, it is something I have always dreamed of doing. It’s going to be such a special day, my Dad is coming over from Ireland especially to watch me ride.

“This is going to be an amazing experience for me and it’s just wonderful to raise money for a charity that have helped me so much during my career in racing so far. Not only am I supported through living in one of their Racing Homes properties, I also have a great relationship with both my local Welfare Officers, Harriet and Sarah, who have been so helpful with various issues – we have lots of chats and I know they are always there for me.”

Carol Betts, 58,works for Lambourn trainer Mark Usher. She jumped at the opportunity to ride in the charity race at Newton Abbot, saying: “I’m really looking forward to riding in the Betfair Racing Staff Week Cup, it’s going to be a fantastic challenge for me.

“Racing Welfare have been a great help to me over the years. Shortly after moving to Lambourn and back into the racing industry I lost my home. The team at Racing Welfare found me a place in their accommodation and I’ve been a tenant for seven years now! Throughout that time the friendly local welfare team have been there for me and I know I can contact them for help with any of life’s challenges. I’m really pleased to raise money for such a worthwhile cause, giving something back to them for all the help I’ve had, and enabling them to help others in the industry.”

Meet all 24 riders taking part in this year’s charity races at https://www.racingstaffweek.com/stable-staff-races/. Both charity races are scheduled to take place at the end of the cards at both Doncaster and Newton Abbot.

Silent Auction

As part of the Betfair Clock Tower Cup raceday, there will be a live and silent auction taking place at Doncaster racecourse. Anyone wishing to support the event is invited to submit bids in the silent auction, with all lots available to browse at: www.clocktowercuprw22.com.

Racing Welfare are also welcoming absentee bids for one live lot – the opportunity to name a character in the next ‘Dick Francis’ novel by Felix Francis. The unique lot includes lunch for two with Felix to discuss the character, an autographed pre-publication copy of the finished book, and an invitation for two to the book launch party in London in September 2023 where the lot winner will rub shoulders with racing, TV and literary celebrities. Absentee bids of at least £2,500 must be lodged with Clare Kingston [email protected] by Friday 1st July.

Find out more about Racing Staff Week and the activities taking place throughout the week, at www.racingstaffweek.com and follow the #RacingStaffWeek and #WeAreRacing hashtags on social media for updates.

Racing Welfare

Racing Welfare is the only charity that supports all of racing’s people – including stud, stable and racecourse staff, alongside those working in associated professions – from their recruitment right through into retirement. The charity provides a wide range of advice and guidance services, all of which are completely confidential and non-judgmental.  Support is available for a wide range of life’s challenges, including physical health, mental health, bereavement, careers advice, housing, money advice, illness, addiction, relationships and retirement. Racing Welfare’s services are nationally accessible with offices in all of the main racing centres and roving Welfare Officers covering the whole of the country. 

The charity owns 164 units of accommodation across the UK, with a focus on providing housing for young people working in racing and those who have retired from the industry which are managed by its housing arm, Racing Homes.

Racing’s Support Line, a multi-channel support platform, allows people to contact the charity online as well as through a 24hr telephone line.  

Websitewww.racingwelfare.co.uk

Racing’s Support Line: 0800 6300 443

Online self-help resourceswww.support.racingwelfare.co.uk

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