Newbury Racecourse Continues Partnership With Greatwood Charity Into 2026

 Newbury Racecourse is delighted to announce that its long-standing partnership with Greatwood Charity – a charity that uses former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN) – will continue throughout 2026.

Greatwood Charity provides education through mindfulness, emotional wellbeing, and inclusion, while giving retired racehorses a safe home and rewarding second career.

Each horse is carefully assessed for suitability in the Horse Power programme, which offers children a unique focus and learning experience. Some horses at Greatwood are retrained and rehomed, while others remain at the charity, taking part in Animal Assisted Intervention programmes to teach both children and adults.

The partnership with Newbury Racecourse allows racegoers to see these former racehorses up close, demonstrating the racing industry’s ongoing commitment to equine welfare.

Greatwood Charity were present at Newbury last month for William Hill Super Saturday and will return on the following dates in 2026:

· Saturday 18 April
· Saturday 16 May
· Saturday 19 September
· Saturday 24 October
· Saturday 28 November
· Monday 28 December

Racegoers can once again look forward to meeting Mahlervous, a much-loved retired racehorse who regularly greets visitors, accompanied by his Shetland Pony companion, Gladys. The partnership will continue to grow in 2026, with exciting new initiatives planned and the possibility of a new equine star joining the line-up.

Helen Yeadon MBE, Founder and Managing Director of Greatwood, commented: “In 2022, Greatwood Charity and Newbury Racecourse entered into a new partnership to bring the racegoing public closer to the life of a racehorse following a career on the racetrack. As welfare becomes an increasingly and ever important part of the longevity of the sport, this partnership is about education of the racing public.

“Throughout the year Greatwood staff enjoy spending time interacting with members of the public and explaining many aspects of the work that we do including welfare and our education programmes. We are delighted to continue this partnership in 2026.”

Emily Paine, Senior Marketing Manager at Newbury Racecourse, said: “We’re thrilled to be extending our partnership with Greatwood Charity for 2026. Having Mahlervous, our equine ambassador, on-site is not only a joy for our team, but a fantastic opportunity for racegoers to meet a real retired racehorse and better understand the vital work Greatwood does in providing education, care, and second careers for horses after racing.”

To learn more and support the incredible work Greatwood Charity carry out, follow the button below.

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