Star appeal: watch David Walliams in videos to promote free racing for under-18s
Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams has teamed up with The Crown's Billy Jenkins to promote Great British Racing's Under-18 Race Free campaign in five comedy sketches.
In five episodes of a series entitled Horsing Around, of which three will be released over the summer, Jenkins is shown teaching Walliams, who stars as his father, about the sport and together they take part in numerous racecourse adventures, including a run-in with Ryan Moore, watching a race and meeting a racehorse.
The campaign, which offers more than 200 free racedays for accompanied under-18s, as well as numerous activities at the racecourses such as pony rides, has resulted in a 1.13 per cent increase in attendance on family days.
Rod Street, Great British Racing's chief executive, said: "With 60 courses across the country and under-18s admitted for free when accompanied by an adult at the vast majority of fixtures throughout the year, we want to make sure that more people enjoy a great day out at the races.
“Last year our under-18s campaign resulted in total attendance at family days increasing to 264,390, up 1.13 per cent and triple the average industry growth, while advanced ticket sales increased by 2.2 per cent.
"Moreover, the campaign was shortlisted for a BT Sports Industry Award and we are determined to build on that success again this year.”
Walliams said: “I had a ball filming the Horsing Around series and really enjoyed my time at the track.
"It’s clear that there’s loads for families to enjoy at their local racecourses over the summer and the Under-18s Race Free initiative is a brilliant concept that I hope more families will take advantage of.”
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Published on 24 May 2018inNews
Last updated 13:42, 24 May 2018
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