Inner-city teenagers learn about working in racing during visit to Lingfield

Young Londoners were the guests of honour at Lingfield on Friday as the racecourse continued its efforts as part of a pioneering initiative aimed at encouraging inner-city teenagers to seek careers in racing.

The visitors, from the Lambeth and Southwark boroughs of the capital, spent their first day at the races as part of the Take The Reins project.

The campaign, centred around Lingfield in the south and Richard Fahey's yard in the north, is championed by Active Communities Network and Flying Futures with the backing of the BHA's Racing Together and Careers in Racing.

Lingfield: Surrey track is attracting the youngCredit: Edward Whitaker

As well as meeting representatives of Lingfield and the BHA, the racing newcomers spent time with a fellow 18-year-old in jockey Rossa Ryan and were interviewed by Sky Sports Racing broadcaster Hayley Moore.

Lingfield head of partnerships Deborah Hay said: "We're hoping this group of people will stay in touch and maybe even come back to work for us on a casual basis as they're relatively close to the racecourse.

"We're talking to ACN about identifying young people for work placements here, and all of those who visited today would be suitable.

"This is all about highlighting how many opportunities there are in our industry to a section of the community who wouldn't normally think about horseracing. This is so much more than just a nice day out."

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