Racing Staff Week 2021 is Here

Today (Saturday 16^th October) sees the launch of Racing Staff Week at Ascot’s Champions Day meeting.  Now in its fifth year, Racing Staff Week recognises the contribution of the industry’s entire workforce, from stud and stable staff to breeders, racecourse staff and administrators and everything in between and is once again generously supported by Betfair.

Racing Welfare, who are the driving force behind Racing Staff Week, aim for the week to bring the racing industry and its followers together to showcase the passion, skill and dedication of all the staff across the breadth of the industry, whose hard work makes our great sport possible.

Racing Staff Week is, without doubt, one of my favourite weeks of the year and an important one for Racing Welfare and, as such, I must thank Betfair for once again supporting the week so generously.  To be able to put a spotlight on the great work that goes on behind the scenes by our industry’s incredible workforce is an honour and really gets to the heart of Racing Welfare as a charity.  I hope as many of you as possible get involved with the week’s events and that you are able to take the time to reflect on how important your hard work and dedication are to the success of our sport.”

Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare Chief Executive

Following the launch at Champions Day, Racing Welfare will have a presence on all courses that have meetings throughout the week.  The main activity of the week is The Big Racing Staff Week Quiz which takes place on Thursday 21^st October 2021 and will give staff the opportunity to come together either in person or virtually. Hosted by racing presenters Niall Hannity and Vanessa Ryle, the quiz will see racing and breeding staff across the country competing for a chance to win £1,000 in high street vouchers.  To find out more and get your team signed up click HERE.

Other events throughout the week include the presentation of four regional Lifetime in Racing awards to some very deserving recipients and the Betfair Clock Tower Cup at Doncaster which sees 12 members of stable staff taking part and raising funds for Racing Welfare.  The Golden Ticket initiative from Careers in Racing also returns for 2021 and sees golden tickets worth £100 hidden across the country at racecourses and racing centres for staff to find. Keep following on Twitter for some clues through the week!

Many racecourses and industry organisations are also getting behind Racing Staff Week through activities to thank and celebrate their own teams.  You can keep up with all the action throughout the week by following Racing Welfare across all their social media channels, and get involved by using the hashtag #RacingStaffWeek.

Harry Phillips, Head UK&I Brand Marketing at Betfair shared the company’s delight at being able to support Racing Staff Week again saying: “We’re delighted to be supporting Racing Staff Week for a fifth year, continuing our long-term support for Racing Welfare and the racing industry. Racing Staff Week does a great job of showcasing the many varied and important roles of racing staff in all aspects of British horseracing as well as the support Racing Welfare provide to everyone involved in the sport. We look forward to another exciting week.”