Jockey Club to stage autism-friendly racedays at courses in 2026

Twig and Beau Morgan won the Becher Chase at Aintree

The Becher Chase meeting at Aintree is one of the autism-friendly racedays Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here

Jockey Club will stage at least one autism-friendly raceday at each of its courses next year.

From Warwick in February to Becher Chase day at Aintree in December, via Cheltenham, Epsom and both Newmarket tracks, the Jockey Club is reaching out to neurodiverse people with the opportunity to attend fixtures with extra provisions such as safe spaces, sensory rooms and specially trained staff in place.

The programme will kick off early with the King George VI meeting at Kempton next Friday, which is also now an autism-friendly event.

"It's absolutely brilliant," said Bobby Beevers, who founded Autism In Racing and recently made the longlist in the community category at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards.

Bobby Beevers: "I'm really excited about it"

"I'm really excited about it. We've formed a really close relationship with the Jockey Club and this is giving autistic individuals the opportunity to go racing at some of the biggest tracks in the country in a safe and supported environment.

"It's phenomenal to be having days at Aintree, Cheltenham and the home of the Derby."

Beevers, whose organisation is a community partner of the Racing Post, added: "We only had our first autism-friendly day in 2021 and it's great how racing has been 100 per cent behind us and helped us so much, giving a brand-new audience the chance to come racing.

"As always, we have to thank our supporters, the Racing Foundation, the Peter O'Sullevan Trust, Godolphin, Future Ticketing, Anne Duchess of Westminster's Fund and Pertemps, for their generous backing."

Dual champion jockey William Buick, who has ridden winners at all the Jockey Club's Flat courses, is an ambassador for JCR and Autism In Racing and was delighted at news of the initiative.

"This means a great deal to me," he said. "Seeing the Jockey Club commit to Autism In Racing days across all their courses shows how welcoming and inclusive our sport is."

William Buick: "He had to chase the race himself and to have that finish still at the very end was amazing"

William Buick: "This means a great deal to me"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Jockey Club strategic communications lead Grant Rowley added: "Autism in Racing is a fantastic organisation that supports and encourages people who are autistic to enjoy horseracing.

“We're actively committed to increasing inclusion and diversity across British horseracing and are delighted to confirm that each Jockey Club course will stage an autism-friendly raceday, to provide autistic individuals across the country opportunities to experience our sport."

Jockey Club Racecourses autism-friendly days in 2026
February 20 Warwick
April 14 Market Rasen
April 15 Cheltenham
April 16 Cheltenham
May 16 Newmarket (Rowley Mile)
August 1 Newmarket (July course)
August 3 Nottingham
August 19 Carlisle
August 31 Epsom
September 3 Haydock
October 3 Newmarket (Rowley Mile)
October 18 Kempton
October 25 Wincanton
November 11 Huntingdon
November 18 Sandown
December 5 Aintree