Newbury Racecourse Welcomes A New Generation As Schools’ Celebration Raceday Breaks Records

Newbury Racecourse is using its brand-new Schools’ Celebration Raceday to introduce a new generation to racing – and the early figures suggest it is working. The inaugural event, held on Wednesday 26 August, drew the highest number of under-18s ever recorded at the Berkshire track, as well as welcoming a wave of first-time racegoers.

The scale of that appetite became clear in the build-up to the raceday, with pupils from as many as 350 schools signing up before more than 3,000 complimentary tickets were redeemed on the day, highlighting the Racecourse’s growing ability to bring a new, younger audience into the sport. Crucially for a sport working hard to widen its reach, the day also recorded the highest proportion of new attendees at a raceday without a headline music concert at Newbury, which is exactly the kind of growth that points to a healthier future for the sport. The event also fell aptly within National Racehorse Week, the nationwide annual celebration of the racehorse.

Delivered through Newbury’s Under 18s Go Free scheme in partnership with education charity Racing to School, the event gave pupils from across Berkshire and surrounding counties the chance to experience live horseracing, with each child able to claim complimentary tickets for up to two adults. For many of those families, it was a first taste of a day at the races; and it was an enjoyable one with racegoers’ experience scores up 14% on 2026’s average alongside year-high value for money scores.

Away from the track, families enjoyed the largest programme of free entertainment ever staged at a Newbury raceday and, with a full evening card featuring two pony races, there was plenty to keep every age group entertained before the Pump Technology’s Disco & Dance afterparty.

Careers in Racing, Great British Racing and the Professional Jockeys’ Association were also on-site, giving youngsters the chance to take part in jockey signing sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, and even try their hand in the saddle courtesy of virtual reality simulators. Meanwhile, Get Into Racing was promoted to racegoers throughout the day, while mental health charity Sport in Mind hosted a dedicated activity area, and Autism in Racing provided a sensory unit.

Ollie McPhail, Programme Manager at Racing to School, commented: “We were delighted to support Newbury Racecourse’s inaugural Schools’ Celebration Raceday. This shared ambition has been at the heart of Racing to School’s work for 25 years, during which we have seen how a welcoming first visit can spark curiosity and develop into a lasting interest in horseracing. The day was a powerful example of what can be achieved when racing works together to engage the next generation.”

Tom Baker, Head of Social Impact at The British Horseracing Authority, said: “Following the launch of the Get Into Racing hub earlier this year – a key part of establishing a young people pathway for British Racing – it was great not only to see Newbury put on such a fantastic first experience of horseracing for so many young people, but also to have the first ever ‘Get Into Racing’ zone on a racecourse, that hopefully left many young people and families more informed about how they can continue to engage with the sport.”

Adam McNamara, Senior Racing Executive at the Professional Jockeys Association, said: “We were delighted to play a small role in the wonderful initiative that was Schools’ Celebration Raceday at Newbury. We have no doubt that we saw some future stars of the weighing room around the course and they had the opportunity to meet the current stars at the Jockey Autograph Session. Oisin Murphy, Kieran Shoemark and Charlie Bishop took time out of their busy schedules to participate in the session and it was wonderful to see the number of young racegoers that turned up to meet the jockeys.”

Georgia Penswick, Head of PR & Consumer Communications at Great British Racing, said: “It was fantastic to see the success of Newbury Racecourse’s inaugural Schools’ Celebration Raceday. The scale of the event was impressive and the range of activities on offer was brilliant and a great addition to the raceday experience, especially for younger fans. Youth engagement is an important part of National Racehorse Week’s community programme and it’s great to see Newbury Racecourse supporting initiatives like this.”

Harry Walklin, Marketing Director at Newbury Racecourse, commented: “We were thrilled to see so many families and young people enjoy racing for the first time at our Schools’ Celebration Raceday. The day was a truly collaborative effort, and we are indebted to our partners for helping to deliver such a special occasion which will hopefully last long in the memory.
“Our Schools’ Celebration Raceday will return in 2027 as we continue striving to throw the Racecourse’s doors open to new audiences and first-time racegoers.”

While there’s still plenty for families to enjoy at Newbury in 2026 – with Under 18s going free to all racedays – the Racecourse was pleased to confirm its 2027 racedays last week and will welcome the return of the Schools’ Celebration Raceday on Thursday 19th August 2027.

2027 FIXTURES