Henderson and Johnson give strong support for a National Racehorse Day

Nicky Henderson and champion jockey Richard Johnson added their heavyweight support to the idea of a National Racehorse Day.

In a guest column in the Racing Post on Monday, trainer Richard Phillips said an annual day should be added to the calendar to showcase the racehorse and how they live “a life of luxury and love”.

Reaction to Phillips’ idea has been overwhelmingly positive, with several of the sport’s leading figures backing the plan to highlight welfare standards in a concerted effort to change public perception.

Henderson, who has trained superstars such as Sprinter Sacre, See You Then and Altior, said: “It all seems very plausible and sounds like a lovely idea. I think we’d all be behind it.

“We have open days, which always prove very successful, and offer stable visits and syndicate days for our owners as much as we can. It’s great to be able to show people what goes on in a racing yard.

“However, I agree we need to get the message out to people who don’t really understand us. We must show everyone that the animal loves doing what they do on a daily basis. We need to show people how much they enjoy being a racehorse."

Richard Johnson: 'We must highlight how well horses are looked after on a daily basis.'Credit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Richard Johnson, who is leading the jump jockeys' championship once again with 75 winners, said: "It's a great idea. Oliver Sherwood touched on it in Tuesday's Racing Post when he said we need to promote what goes on behind the scenes.

"We must highlight how well horses are looked after on a daily basis. We're all horse lovers in the racing world and they're the most important thing to us. We need to show to people outside the sport how much they mean to us."

Phillips wrote in his column in the Racing Post: "With animal welfare much to the fore at present racing needs to develop a comprehensive plan to celebrate the animals we all cherish and, in doing so, advertise to the public that the average racehorse lives a life of love and luxury.

"Is it not time the general public knew more about the facts, and the industry went on the front foot, rather than being on the defensive? Racing has a great story to tell, so let's get it out there."

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