The Princess Royal visits the British Racing School and Peter O’Sullevan House in Newmarket

The positive impact of horses on the wellbeing and confidence of children was highlighted to Princess Anne on Wednesday, when she made her first visit to the British Racing School (BRS) in a decade.

The Princess Royal, the King’s sister, spent time with the Injured Jockeys Fund at Peter O’Sullevan House, before getting the opportunity to meet students on the BRS foundation course and schoolchildren participating in the Newmarket Pony Academy.

Around 40 foundation course students greeted Princess Anne in the main yard, where she was introduced to ex-racehorses including Capricorn Prince, an eight-time winner for Gary Moore who acted as a pony for the international runners at Royal Ascot this year.

The royal, who last visited the BRS in 2015, was introduced to the horses by James Savage, former assistant to Sir Michael Stoute, and also met Schematic, a seven-year-old owned by the King and Queen who received a generous scratch on the nose.

Princess Anne also saw and spoke with children from a local primary school who were riding as part of the Newmarket Pony Academy project, which grants access to horses for children aged 8-14.

Andrew Braithwaite, BRS chief executive, said: “We’re incredibly honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal to the Newmarket Pony Academy today. As someone who fully appreciates the power of horses and ponies as an equestrian and Olympian, it was wonderful to be able to show the ways in which the academy is supporting young people in the community, and making riding and working with ponies accessible and exciting.

“The Princess Royal’s visit shines a powerful spotlight on how horses can positively impact young people’s wellbeing, confidence and social development, and introduce them to the racing industry.”

Princess Anne receives a bouquet of flowers after meeting children taking part in the Newmarket Pony Academy

Alongside the school’s programme, the Newmarket Pony Academy provides afterschool, holiday and weekend clubs for young people, and works with local schools to enable alternative teaching programmes for children struggling with mainstream education.

Penny Taylor, UK charities manager for Godolphin, which backs the community project, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome Her Royal Highness to the Newmarket Pony Academy to learn about what we do and engage with the students taking part.

“Godolphin are really proud supporters of the initiative, and for the children here today to have had the opportunity to create special memories by having the meetings they did is fantastic.”

At Peter O’Sullevan House, which is on the same site, Princess Anne was accompanied by Classic-winning rider George Baker and 20-time champion jump jockey Tony McCoy, who also met the students and children.

Baker said: “We’ve been delighted to have Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal join us today. It’s a massive opportunity for us to be able to sit down and have the chance to discuss with her our strategy going forward.

“She’s been a huge part of the IJF and really does keep an eye on it, which makes a difference to what we’re doing.”

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