National Racehorse Week

Why Do Chester Racecourse Support National Racehorse Week?

​National Racehorse Week (NRHW) started in 2019 thanks to racehorse trainer Richard Phillips, who wanted to celebrate the amazing horses that make racing so thrilling and entertaining for millions. It’s also a chance to show the public and policymakers the dedicated care that race horses receive.

NRHW is a wonderful opportunity to dive into the world of racing, with exciting content on our digital channels and live events on race days. It also gives us the opportunity to educate our guests further on welfare and about the lives the horses they see on the Roodee live.

National Racehorse Week 2024 – A New Approach

Whilst we have supported the campaign in previous years by visiting local yards, and showcasing local trainers, this year we took a new approach and created “Newmarket, The Home Of Horse Racing” campaign.

We wanted ​to show our audience the life of a racehorse before it arrives at a trainer’s yard. Showcasing the dedication to welfare at every step of a racehorse’s life and the passion of the people behind the animal. As Newmarket is the home of flat racing, it made sense to focus the campaign there. ​

During our trip to Newmarket, we got to experience many different aspects of horse racing but these were our top 3: ​

1. A visit to Darley Stud to understand more about the breeding operation of racehorses. ​
2. A visit to Tattersalls Yearling Sales to show the process of purchasing a future track star. ​
3. A visit to the National Horse Racing Museum (NHRM) to showcase the amazing work they do in educating the public about the sport. ​

We also met some amazing and inspiring people along the way including:

• Frances Stanley, Chair of the National Horse Racing Museum, and her husband Peter Stanley, Stud Manager at New England Stud.
• Nick Patton, Managing Director of Jockey Club Estates who spoke to us about the gallops and the day-to-day life of the horses that live in Newmarket. ​
• The ROR horses in the National Horse Racing Museum and their groom. ​

To find out more about our Newmarket trip, take a look at National Racehorse Week 2024 Video Playlist: