Festive fun on Newmarket’s gallops helps to fund support for mental health

Newmarket’s racing staff have been using the festive period to highlight the support available for people working in the industry.

A campaign initiated by the Jockey Club saw them wearing Christmas jumpers, and other festive costumes, last week to raise money for town-based charity Racing Welfare.

Those taking part were asked to donate £2 to the charity specifically to help to fund mental health support and counselling for those who might have lost friends and loved ones.

Amy Starkey, managing director of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “Christmas is a wonderful time of year for so many reasons, but for plenty it can also be one of the toughest.

“Within Newmarket’s racing industry, 2023 has seen us lose a number of our workforce, and so we were keen to use the Christmas jumper campaign to highlight the support available through Racing Welfare and to raise funds to aid in its vital work to suppose those in need.”

Staff in a number of the town’s racing yards took part in the festive fundraiser including those working for trainers James Fanshawe based at Pegasus Stables; James Ferguson at Kremlin Cottage, Alice Haynes currently based at Cadland Cottage in Moulton Road, Tom Clover at Kremlin House and Simon Pearce at Wroughton House stables.

Anyone in the racing industry who may be experiencing mental health issues, can contact Racing Welfare on 0800 6300 443 for free 24/7 confidential, support.