More funds needed as organisers aim to build on first National Racehorse Week

Organisers of the inaugural National Racehorse Week insisted they would not rest on their laurels after hailing the success of the project, which resulted in 132 yards opening their doors to more than 3,500 members of the public in September.

The idea came from trainer Richard Phillips and sought to highlight the love, care and attention horses receive. A report published on the week highlighted the coverage the event had in print, online, on television and social media.

Rod Street, chief executive of Great British Racing, the marketing and promotional arm of the sport in Britain, said: "We're really encouraged by the success of year one and it was vital it was successful or there would highly unlikely be a year two.

"We're encouraged by the metrics and feedback, but we'd like to make it bigger next year and while the take-up before the event was 100 per cent and really good, it probably deprived people interested in getting involved on the day.

Rod Street: the campaign was produced on 'an incredibly lean budget'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"In the week preceding it, we were promoting events already at capacity, so we've got to learn lessons, increase capacity and that means more yards and new things. I think there's an opportunity to get racecourses involved and studs.

"We wanted to reach more non-racing people and one of the reasons we didn't was because the take-up was so enthusiastic from our existing fans, who loved the idea. We need to create more capacity to get more of the public. We will not rest on our laurels."

Street said the campaign was produced via an "incredibly lean budget", but thanked the Levy Board, Racing Foundation, Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust, Godolphin and late owner Andy Stewart for contributions.

"We've got that proof of concept to take to funders and ensure the day has enough put into it in 2022," he added. "For us to deliver with more scale and ambition, it does need more money, but we've now got a story to tell, so I'm optimistic we'll find the collective funding."

Read more:

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Phillips looks to build on National Racehorse Week after inaugural success

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