Children will take the reins of key raceday roles at Catterick Bridge Racecourse on 12 August 2019, as part of Great British Racing’s Under 18s Race Free campaign

(Full range of images available to download here)

29 July 2019, London: Young visitors to Racing Careers Day at Catterick Bridge Racecourse on Monday 12 August will be given the thrilling opportunity to try their hand at a number of key raceday roles, from raceday presenter and weighing room operative, to serving in the racecourse’s hospitality facilities and reporting on the ground conditions.

The Kids’ Takeover Day has been brought to Catterick Bridge by Great British Racing as part of its Under 18s Race Free campaign, which has been created to highlight the fact that under 18s go free to almost every racecourse, at almost every raceday. This summer sees more than 200 fixtures taking place up and down the country, 50 of which are special family days, where additional activities are put on for families and young people to enjoy alongside the racing.

Facilitated by Racing to School, an education charity which delivers free outdoor learning activities for young people at racecourses, studs and trainers’ yards across the country, the Kids’ Takeover Day was first trialled at Bath Racecourse, and is being rolled out at a number of racecourses across the summer by Great British Racing, offering children unprecedented access to the races and the chance to turn their hand to some of horseracing’s greatest job roles.

In addition to the Kids’ Takeover, visitors to Catterick Bridge Racecourse on 12 August can learn all about the different careers in racing, from finding out how the jockeys and trainers got started in racing, to actually having a go at riding a winner on the mechanical racehorse (equicisor). Tickets start at just £5 for the Course enclosure, which also features an outdoor playground, and under 18s are admitted completely free of charge. All children are invited to participate in the Kids’ Takeover Day and can sign up in advance by contacting the Racecourse Office.

This news follows Great British Racing’s recent survey findings that 83% of UK parents feel that cost prohibits children from participating in outdoor activities; 86% of parents wanted their children to spend more time outside during the school holidays; 77% of parents have been put off taking their children to live sport as a result of the cost; and 60% of parents do not take their children to live sport at all.

This year’s campaign is also fronted by ambassador and mother-of-two Tess Daly, who commented: “As a parent, the school holidays are a fantastic opportunity to spend quality time with your children, yet finding activities that are stimulating, healthy and affordable can be a challenge.

“As a child, my parents went out of their way to take me to live sport and I do the same for my kids now – there’s nothing better than a day at the races. As well as the thrill of the racing, the kids are able to run around in the fresh air and there’s plenty of activities for them too, from having their faces painted to meeting race horses.”

Watch Tess as she explores a racing yard here and a day at the races here.

Toby Shaw, Director of Communications & Marketing at Great British Racing, added: “Racing remains one of Britain’s most popular spectator sports, with millions enjoying the excitement of race meets each year. At Great British Racing, we want to introduce more youngsters to the thrill of the sport: with more than 50 dedicated family days, our ‘Under 18s Race Free’ campaign provides an unforgettable day out in the fresh air for the whole family, without having to break the bank.”

Go to under18sracefree.com to find your local family raceday this Summer.