Spread the word and let's all make sure National Racehorse Week is here to stay

Cometh the day, cometh the hour, cometh the week. It's funny what can happen if you write a guest column in the Racing Post and I'm delighted the first National Racehorse Week is about to start.

It was October 2019 when I mentioned my idea of a National Racehorse Day to editor Tom Kerr at an awards evening. I had run the venture past the National Trainers Federation's Rupert Arnold and others over previous weeks and all were enthusiastic. Tom asked if I would write a piece about it for the Post.

I was thrilled with the enthusiastic appetite for the event following its publication. Martin Fewell of the BHA was on the phone immediately to get the ball rolling. A workshop of racing folk was put together at Newbury racecourse to exchange views. All was going well until Covid struck and plans inevitably were put on hold. However, as soon as the virus began to recede momentum restarted.

The BHA asked the racing marketeer Harriet Rochester to take National Racehorse Week further. Thanks to a grant from the Racing Foundation, plans for its development were put in place. A small steering group was formed under the direction of Rupert and Harriet and I was delighted to be included.

Through them, Great British Racing took on the challenge with the National Trainers Federation. With additional funding from the Racing Foundation and the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Trust, the steering group extended and sped its way to where we are today.

Thanks to all who have put so much time and money into making the event happen. My ambition for the future is that all within the sport help to fund the event through donating a small sum of money in recognition of their favourite horses. A celebration of the horse funded by the whole racing community would be a great vision.

Visitors to the 2019 Newmarket open weekend - a central feature of National Racehorse Week

I'm so pleased more than 140 trainers are opening their doors to the public to prove racing's transparency and to show the love and care racehorses receive. And yes, it's a week not a day as there is so much to show.

It appears close to being a sellout and I'm sure all visitors will enjoy witnessing a racehorse's life close up. For, as we know, the thoroughbred has 24-hour care, private medical care, private dentistry, physio and spa membership – not forgetting a healthy, balanced diet and an exercise programme. Most humans would surely be jealous.

I am hoping all who love the sport can do something this week to celebrate the racehorse, all they do for humans and all that humans do for them. Many of us have devoted our lives to their care and they have given us so much in return. It's time to spread the word.

Racing can be a fractious family at times but surely this is a cause worth uniting over. Raise a glass to the thoroughbred this week and let's all make sure National Racehorse Week is here to stay.

The Racing Post will be carrying a series of pieces to mark the first National Racehorse Week, starting with a visit to Newsells Park Stud to see future racehorses in their first year of life and including a glimpse behind the scenes with the Gosdens as they prepare Stradivarius for a race.

If you would like to take part in the many events of National Racehorse Week go to nationalracehorseweek.uk for more details.

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday