Stable staff to get free tickets to major meetings in new Jockey Club initiative

Racing grooms are being offered free tickets to attend showpiece Jockey Club Racecourse fixtures outside of work, including the Wednesday of the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National meeting's opening day at Aintree.

The initiative, which kicked off at Huntingdon on Thursday, has been launched by the Jockey Club in conjunction with the National Trainers Federation website racinggroom.com. It allows stable staff to bring a guest to 19 Jockey Club-owned meetings, with other available days to include Qipco 1,000 Guineas afternoon at Newmarket and, more immediately, Wincanton's Kingwell Hurdle card next Saturday.

Jockey Club group chief executive Delia Bushell said: "We’re passionate about supporting racing industry staff and always looking for ways to show our appreciation for what they do.

"Put simply, our sport would not continue to thrive, and millions of people would not be able to enjoy a day at the races, without the hard work and dedication of those who work in racing yards up and down the country."

Shelley Perham, NTF recruitment and retention consultant, added: "More than 6,500 racing grooms play a key role in providing first-class care and attention to more than 14,000 racehorses in training. It is essential this skilled and dedicated workforce is supported, rewarded and developed. We’re so pleased to be working with Jockey Club Racecourses on this initiative and hope all racing grooms get to enjoy a few days out with a guest.”

Racinggroom.com is a free resource for all racing staff and those looking to enter the industry.

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