Racing Welfare's Annual Review 2022/23

COMMUNITY
WORK
RACING WELFARE IN THE COMMUNITY
Community engagement has always been of great importance to Racing Welfare. This programme of work was boosted considerably in
2022 as in-person events were possible across the whole year for the first time post-Covid.
This was particularly welcome for our retired population, for whom our community events provide a vital support network and social
interaction. The events play a key role in helping to reduce isolation and loneliness, helping them to remain a part of the industry to
which they have dedicated their lives. A total of 77 coffee mornings were held at 10 different locations across the country, and the
demand was evident with up to 70 attendees at one event.
Additionally, almost 100 retired racing staff enjoyed a dedicated trackside facility at Epsom for the 2022 Cazoo Derby in June. The
special area, gifted to Racing Welfare for the day by Jockey Club Racecourses, was located near to the Tattenham Enclosure.
The trip brought back fond memories for Newmarket-based Fred Messer who, on his first ride at Epsom Downs as an apprentice jockey,
won the 1966 Great Metropolitan Handicap on a mare named Cullen. Fred said: “It was an absolutely super day; we couldn’t have wished
for more from Racing Welfare. I hadn’t been to the Derby since 1965 when Sea Bird won in the most impressive fashion, so it was a real treat
to be back for this double celebration with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We were massively surprised to have a facility all to ourselves, we had
everything we needed and more. Thank you to Racing Welfare and the Jockey Club for a great day.”
Returning to the calendar for 2022 was the Racing Welfare beneficiary holiday, which had
not been possible since 2019 due to the pandemic. The holiday, supported by Godolphin, saw
more than thirty members of racing’s retired community enjoy a
week in the Warwickshire countryside in the spring.
Guests on this year’s holiday stayed at Studley Castle, a Grade
II listed building set in 28 acres of beautiful countryside in
Warwickshire. Beneficiaries were able to enjoy the facility’s
leisure activities on offer including swimming,
archery, boules and walks in the grounds. In addition,
day trips to Warwick races, Dan Skelton Racing,
Alne Park Stud and a Cotswolds tour were organised
throughout the week.
77 COFFEE
MORNINGS
31 RETIRED BENEFICIARY TRIPS
4 CHRISTMAS LUNCH
3 COMBINED WORKING & RETIRED
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