Cheltenham praised as it opens first permanent racecourse sensory room

Cheltenham on Sunday became the first track to open a permanent sensory room as part of the Autism in Racing project, which was launched last year with collaborative industry support to raise awareness of the condition in the sport.

Founded by racing broadcaster Bobby Beevers and supported by the BHA, Racecourse Association, Racing Together and the Racing Foundation, Autism in Racing has held a number of autism-friendly racedays at the likes of Aintree, Doncaster, Haydock and Musselburgh since its inception last May.

However, Beevers described Cheltenham's decision to convert a hospitality box into a permanent location for families with sensory needs as a "massive leap" for the project, and hopes it is sign of things to come.

"When we launched Autism in Racing in 2021, we started off with a trial of autism-friendly days with a mobile sensory room but the long-term ambition was for racecourses to have their own, permanent sensory rooms," said Beevers.

"I anticipated that the first sensory room would open towards the end of 2023 but Cheltenham has been the first out of the blocks and they've been absolutely amazing.

Sam Luton-Hughes, program executive for Racing Together's 'Autism In Racing' in the sensory room at Cheltenham racecourseCredit: Edward Whitaker

"The guys at the Jockey Club have worked immensely hard to create a brilliant sensory room, which is here throughout the whole of the year and offers families the chance to come racing in a safe and supportive environment and enjoy a day at the races."

A sensory room is designed to provide a sense of calm and comfort to people with sensory processing problems, which often includes people diagnosed with autism. By providing a calm environment, sensory rooms help children to learn to self-regulate their behaviours. Cheltenham's room includes lights, colours and sensory soft play resources.

Around 700,000 individuals in the UK are estimated to have a diagnosis of autism, including Beevers and his daughter Sophia, and the Autism in Racing founder hopes more racecourses across Britain will soon follow Cheltenham's lead and set up sensory rooms.

"In an ideal world we'd like every racecourse to have their own permanent sensory room," he said. "There's definitely another one on the way and, as we head into phase three next year, I'm sure other racecourses will follow.

"Today is a massive leap and I'm very proud of my team at Autism in Racing, the Jockey Club and racing in general. Everyone has got behind me and we're getting bigger and better.

"The fact a racecourse already has its own sensory room is a huge boost, and I'm very excited for the future."

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