'We are very excited to be staging our first ever fundraising race' - Chepstow hosts groundbreaking Autism in Racing raceday

Chepstow stages its first Autism In Racing raceday on Thursday which is to kick off with another first, a ‘Fundraising Race’ for the organisation who are community partners with the Racing Post.

Former leading female rider Cathy Gannon is among those taking part in the seven-runner race over a mile which will also include fellow retirees Mattie Batchelor, John Kington, Stephen Hunter and Gordon ‘Flash’ Power.

The latest raceday is one of around 75 events that Autism In Racing (AIR) have planned both on and off course for 2025 and comes only a couple of days after they hosted a day for Autistic children at the National Stud in Newmarket.

Bobby Beevers, founder of Autism in Racing, said: “We are very excited to be staging our first ever fundraising race which we have called the ‘Heroes Gallop for Autism In Racing’ race that is going off at 1.45pm which is 45 minutes before the first.”

He added: “It’s over the straight mile and we’ve got seven runners in the race, five of which are to be ridden by ex-jockeys and the others by work riders.”

As it is the school holidays, the track will be busy and Beevers added: “We would like to thank Chepstow for staging this day. As well as the race it’s an Autism In Racing raceday with families coming and also we will have our mobile sensory unit on site. It’s a big funding day and we also thank DragonBet for their very kind sponsorship of the race and hopefully we can raise as much money as we can.”

Chepstow: stages an Autism In Racing raceday on Thursday Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The AIR race precedes a six-race card at the Welsh track including the closing Racing Post Supports Autism In Racing Handicap (5.15).   

Beevers said: “Thanks to the Racing Post, who are our community partners, for sponsoring a race and also for crediting Autism In Racing and for their incredible support throughout the year. Overall, we are doing a lot more community work this year which we hope to build on into 2026 and beyond.”

For more information, and to donate to the fund raising, visit justgiving.com and search Autism In Racing.

Autism In Racing was founded in 2021 through a collaboration between Beevers, Racing Together and the Racecourse Association, and last year became the first annual community partner of Spotlight Sports Group, the parent company of the Racing Post.

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