Education charity Racing to School has revealed it engaged a record number of school children in its activities last year.
Over 17,000 young people participated in 456 Racing to School events in 2024 as the charity continued to raise awareness of the racing industry and its many career pathways through educational activities at racing venues.
The charity’s free events take place at racing locations across the UK and allow pupils to improve their numeracy and literacy through interactive and outdoor learning activities in places such as the weighing room, the parade ring and the stables.
Racing to School also achieved its target of welcoming more young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities to its programmes.
‘Huge tribute’
“It is a huge tribute to our small team that they have again grown participation, while maintaining the quality of the programmes, evidenced by the evaluation from our young people and their teachers and tutors,” said John Blake, chief executive of Racing to School.
“We also attribute this progress to our generous donors, in particular the Levy Board and all the racecourses who are enthusiastic partners in connecting with young people in their communities.
“Identifying beneficiary needs and how racing can offer unique solutions and opportunities is the guiding principle to this work, and as we reach our 250,000th participant later this year, the ambition is to continue to grow in innovative ways through collaboration across the sport.”
Top jockeys show their support
Last year Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore joined Racing to School as an international supporter. Jockeys Hollie Doyle and Oisin Murphy and ITV Racing’s Leonna Mayor are all ambassadors for the charity.
“I’m so proud to be an Ambassador for Racing to School. We need more people to come into racing, even if they don’t end up working in the industry but are encouraged to go to the races and enjoy the sport,” said Leonna Mayor on Stephen Wallis’ The Paddock and The Pavillion podcast.
“The charity is key at putting racing out there and showing people how many jobs there are and how fun it is. They’re doing an amazing job and their reach has grown year on year; hopefully they can continue to get bigger.”
Existing supporters John Pearce Racing, the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust and Godolphin were joined by Ventour and The Good Racing Company as investors in 2024.
Image (c) Racing to School.
