Equine Welfare Promoted At Newbury Racecourse Through National Raceday with The Horse Comes First

Newbury Racecourse was centre stage on Tuesday as British Racing promoted the sport’s high standards of equine welfare through The Horse Comes First held its third annual national raceday.

Newbury’s raceday was a great success and featured:

  • A painted horse display
  • A Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parade
  • A behind the scenes tour for Councillor Dominic Boeck and Councillor Jo Day who joined in with the day’s activities
  • Educational activities with Racing to School and the Pony Racing Authority

The Horse Comes First hosted Newbury’s first painted horse display – former racehorse Knight Pass had the anatomy of a thoroughbred painted on his body (pictured), and Newbury Racecourse’s vet Alastair Welch explained to racegoers how a horse’s organs operate to provide the power which enables racehorses to gallop at speeds of around 40mph over a sustained distance, and why the thoroughbred breed is so special and unique.

Racegoers at Newbury were also treated to a Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Parade of three former racehorses – Amour Propre, Golden Feather and Seamus Shindig – who are now excelling in different equine disciplines including showing and eventing.

Painted Horse

Councillor Dominic Boeck from West Berkshire Council and Councillor Jo Day of Newbury Town Council enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of the racecourse and a talk by Newbury-based 2014 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Employee of the Year Leanne Masterton about her dedication in providing first class care to racehorses.

Leanne also spoke to a group of children taking part in an interactive education event with Racing to School and the Pony Racing Authority, about her exciting career as Travelling Head Girl at Andrew Balding’s Kingsclere Stables.

Neil Parish MP, the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee visited Newbury Racecourse on the day as well, and enjoyed the activities being run across the racecourse.

Newbury’s activities were complimented by Southwell, Great Yarmouth and Chelmsford City racecourses who raised awareness of The Horse Comes First and the high standards of equine welfare across the sport, engaging racegoers with the first class care provided to racehorses both during and after their racing careers.

Robin Mounsey, spokesman for The Horse Comes First, said: “This year’s The Horse Comes First raceday was a huge success, and we’re delighted that so many people joined us at Newbury to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes at a racecourse and the first class care provided to racehorses both during and after their racing career.

“The Horse Comes First is an initiative backed by the whole industry and we are very grateful to Newbury for its support of The Horse Comes First raceday.”

Councillor Dominic Boeck of West Berkshire Council commented: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Newbury Racecourse as part of The Horse Comes First Raceday. It was a great opportunity to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes in the racing industry, and in particular the outstanding care provided to racehorses 24/7.”