BRITISH HORSERACING TAKES FARMING PROJECT TO THE RACES

25 Oct 2010 Pre-2014 Releases

Monday 25th October, for immediate release

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced a partnership with a number of City Farms over the forthcoming week, offering children from London the opportunity to spend a day at the races, for many of whom it will be a first-time experience.

London City Farms offer children and their families a rare chance to experience the countryside without having to leave London. The farms offer wide open spaces, animals and other activities, including riding lessons and volunteer programmes. Now, with the help of the BHA’s careersinracing department, members of Deen City Farm in Merton, Kentish Town City Farm in Camden and Mudchute Park & Farm on the Isle of Dogs, have been invited to experience the thrill of the races at Kempton Park, Lingfield Park and Newmarket Racecourses.

These visits will allow children between the ages of 12-16 to enjoy a day at the races, a chance that few are otherwise likely to have. They will be able to take in the atmosphere of a day at the races, as well as having a full behind-the-scenes tour and learn about the careers opportunities within the industry that exist for them.

Living in the inner cities, many children are not able to experience horses or riding, but being a part of their local City Farm offers them this opportunity. Most City Farms are community-managed projects, working with people and animals to offer a powerful learning experience for participating children. They exist mainly in urban areas and are created in response to a lack of access to green space, combined with a desire to encourage strong community relationships and awareness of animals and farming.

Michelle Douglas, Industry Recruitment Associate at the British Horseracing Authority, commented:

“We are delighted to be able to offer such visits to a number of London’s City Farms and are really excited about working with them on this project. Each of the racecourses involved has been extremely supportive and we are grateful for their help in creating such an opportunity for these young people, many of whom otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to enjoy such an opportunity.”

Simone Uncle from Kentish Town City Farm said:

“This is a unique opportunity for kids to learn more about working with horses. In the current economic climate, young people are really being hit hard with lack of job opportunities and direction; this trip could prove to have a very real and positive impact on their futures. We are really looking forward to it.”

Jackie Cheeseman of Mudchute Park & Farm said:

“The British Horseracing Authority has kindly invited our pony club centre to Newmarket to have a behind-the-scenes look at the world of horseracing, which will allow us to offer our members another aspect of equine activity. We have 40 members in total, most of whom live on the Isle of Dogs in the centre of London, so access to horses for them is limited.”

Joanna Henbrey from Deen City Farm added:

“Our members are all really keen and two of them even cancelled a holiday so that they could come racing! It’s great to be able to offer them something that they haven’t seen before without spending a fortune”.

This work forms part of British Horseracing’s Racing Together Community Strategy, which includes projects and initiatives that take place across the country, ranging from education schemes with school children, to partnerships with charities such as the Prince’s Trust.

For further information or imagery, or to send a photographer to any of the days, please contact Michelle Douglas, British Horseracing Authority Industry Recruitment Associate, on 020 7152 0020 or [email protected], or Amy Sherman, British Horseracing Authority Promotions Manager, on 020 7152 0115 / 07554 400150 or [email protected].