Sport to celebrate workforce during Racing Staff Week

So often the unsung heroes of the racing industry are those who keep the show on the road, day in, day out.

Stable, stud and racecourse staff play an invaluable role within the sport and industry and for a week, starting on Saturday, their importance will be recognised via Racing Staff Week.

Sponsored by Betfair, the week is designed to inform and engage racegoers and supporters of the sport, while also rewarding those who dedicate their working lives to the sport.

There are 41 meetings scheduled in Britain during the week, and each fixture will celebrate Racing Staff Week with a special initiative.

Free ice cream for stable staff at York and sticky toffee puddings to take home for all staff at Cartmel are two of the sweeter treats on offer.

In addition, there will be increased best turned-out prizes at Chester, Pontefract, Thirsk, Nottingham, Chelmsford and Newton Abbot during the week, with the latter two courses also running a prize draw for staff in the canteen.

Continuing the sweet theme, the BHA are taking on the role of Willy Wonka by secreting 13 'Golden Tickets' around racecourses and training centres for staff to discover.

A £100 high street shopping voucher will be the prize for 12 of the tickets, while one will be an invitation for two people to attend the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Ceremony in 2018.

Arena Racing Company, Jockey Club Racecourses and the Racehorse Owners Association are also getting in on the act, with the ROA contributing £100 to up to 30 racing yards across the country towards a yard BBQ or social event during the week.

The National Association of Stable Staff will hold a prize draw on July 8, with £1,000 in travel vouchers to the lucky winner.

Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare chief executive, said: "We're thrilled at the great initiatives being run for racing staff throughout the week, both from racecourses and industry bodies.

"Racing Staff Week will not only create awareness among racegoers about the vital role of racing staff, but will also show staff, from across studs, stables and racecourses, how much their skill and dedication is appreciated.”

A complete list of racecourse initiatives is available at www.racingstaffweek.com