Newbury Racecourse is centre stage as British Racing promotes the sport’s high standards of equine welfare on Tuesday, August 23, through The Horse Comes First’s third annual national raceday.

At its last summer evening fixture of the year, Bathwick Tyres Race Evening, Newbury will be hosting a variety of fun and interactive activities, including staging its very first painted horse display.

Former racehorse Knight Pass will have the anatomy of a thoroughbred painted on his body, and Newbury Racecourse’s vet Alistair Welsh will explain to racegoers how a horse’s organs operate to provide the power which enables the thoroughbred to gallop at speeds of around 40mph over a sustained distance, and why the breed is unique amongst animals.

Families and racegoers at Newbury will also be treated to a Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Parade of former racehorses who are now excelling in different equine disciplines including showing and eventing.

Racing to School and Careers in Racing are holding an interactive educational event with the Pony Racing Authority, and 2014 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Employee of the Year Leanne Masterton will be joining in with the day’s activities and speaking to Racing to School’s groups and racegoers about her fantastic career and her dedication in providing first class care to racehorses.

Neil Parish MP, the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee, will also be visiting Newbury Racecourse on the day, and will have the opportunity to take part in the activities that Newbury has to offer during the evening.

Newbury’s activities will be complemented by Southwell, Great Yarmouth and Chelmsford City racecourses who will also be raising awareness of The Horse Comes First and the high standards of equine welfare across the sport during their afternoon and evening race meetings.

Robin Mounsey, spokesman for The Horse Comes First, said: “British Racing can be proud of its track record in terms of the care provided to racehorses both during and after their racing career.

“Since 2000, over £32 million has been invested by British Racing in veterinary research and education, and the sport employs over 6,000 people to give first class care and attention to the 14,000 horses in training.

“We are indebted to Newbury for its support of The Horse Comes First raceday. We are looking forward to hosting a range of activities which we hope everyone will enjoy, and which will highlight the dedication to horse welfare shared by all involved in the sport.

“The Horse Comes First is an initiative backed by the whole industry and we are very grateful for the support given by all of the racecourses and parties involved working together to make the day a success.”

Final evening fixture of 2016 at Newbury on Tuesday

Newbury Racecourse’s series of evening fixtures in 2016 comes to a close on Tuesday, August 23 with Bathwick Tyres Race Evening.

A seven-race programme runs from 4.40pm to 7.50pm, with the feature race being the £10,000 Bathwick Tyres Handicap (6.50pm, 31 entries) over six furlongs.

Kylla Instinct (Charlie McBride) is set to bid for a three-timer in the Bathwick Tyres Handicap (6.20pm, 26 entries) over seven furlongs. The three-year-old captured a seven-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton in July prior to a smooth victory in a mile handicap at Yarmouth on August 4.

Trainer Charlie McBride said today: “Kylla Instinct is in good form and on course for Newbury next week.

“She is a game, improving little filly who never puts a foot wrong.

“We took a chance at Yarmouth because we thought she wanted a bit of cut in the ground but she handled the quick ground well. She travelled nicely during the race and the jockey said she won with a bit in hand.

“She has got bags of speed so the drop back to seven won’t be a problem. Going to Yarmouth we had concerns about her getting a mile, but the way the race was run suited her because they went no pace and then quickened from three-furlong marker and she did them for speed.”

The going at Newbury is currently Good to Firm.

As well as the activities surrounding the Horse Comes First campaign, there is a variety of family entertainment on offer throughout the evening including face painting (pictured), a petting farm and the chance to meet Newbury’s famous mascot Harry The Horse. Entry for under 18s is free.

After Bathwick Tyres Race Evening, action returns to Newbury with Dubai Duty Free International Weekend on Friday and Saturday, September 16 and 17. Legendary music producer Mark Ronson will play a DJ set after racing on the Saturday.