November 2011
Prince's Trust xl club enjoy Race
Day experience
Eight young people from the xl club at
Walbottle Campus discover more about the racing industry at
Newcastle Racecourse.
The British Horseracing Authority invited eight young
people from the year 11 xl club at Wallbottle Campus in Newcastle
to experience a fantastic ‘behind the scenes’ day at Newcastle
Racecourse on Friday 11th November.
The aim was to give the young people an overview of
the racing industry including a range of employment opportunities
that exist within the sport.
The day was hosted by Nicky Lander from the British Horseracing
Authority and Newcastle Racecourse staff. Each student was given a
pass ticket to allow the group into behind the scenes areas.
First the group were taken to the weighing room and Michael
Hamilton, Clerk of the Scales explained how, before and after each
race, the jockeys are ‘weighed in’. Next the group made their way
over to the stables where the stable security officer John Tierney
met with the group and explained how he kept the horses secure
before their race. He told the group that not even the owners where
allowed into the stables before the race without being accompanied
by a trainer, and each young person had the opportunity to see and
stroke the horses.
Before lunch the group crossed the racecourse and walked to
the start of the race to see the horses and jockeys up close before
Jason Callaghan started the 1st race with 16 riders.
The group watched as the horses raced off and then came past
again over the hurdles in this two mile race. The young people
then walked back to the finish to see the presentation for winning
connections. Refreshments where provided throughout the day and to
bring this amazing day to a close, the young people had their
photograph taken in the winners enclosure by the official course
photographer.
The group had the opportunity to ask questions all day and were
delighted to be treated as VIP guests. The whole group, their
teacher Cary Sawbridge and Pam Tiplady Prince’s Trust Programme
Manager for xl in the North East region passed on a ‘huge thank
you’ to all who had been involved in making this a very special day
for the xl group. The young people were also to be commended for
their excellent behaviour throughout the day.
The British Horseracing Authority has worked in partnership with
the Prince’s Trust since 2008.