As Go Racing In Yorkshire celebrates its 50th anniversary, few people can tell the story of the organisation quite like Graham Orange.

For more than 30 years, Graham was the driving force behind promoting Yorkshire racing, becoming one of the most recognisable voices in the sport through his radio broadcasts, racecourse presentations and tireless work behind the scenes. Although many people assumed he was employed directly by Go Racing In Yorkshire, Graham spent his entire career as an employee of the Racecourse Association (RCA), working exclusively to promote racing across Yorkshire.

Looking back, it all began with a newspaper advert.

“I joined the Racecourse Association in January 1983 after spotting an advert in the Yorkshire Post,” Graham recalls. “I’d always enjoyed racing at York, Pontefract and Wetherby, so I applied for the job.”

His role with the RCA’s Racing Information Bureau was very different from today’s world of digital marketing. Graham travelled across Yorkshire visiting working men’s clubs and social clubs, encouraging groups to organise coach trips to race meetings.

“It was all about getting people through the gates. Social media didn’t exist, so you had to go out and meet people face to face.”

A few years later, when David Grouse stepped down, Graham took over the day-to-day running of Go Racing In Yorkshire, a role he would hold until his retirement in 2015.

Building the profile of Yorkshire racing

Graham’s mission was simple: raise the profile of racing in Yorkshire.

Long before podcasts, livestreams and social media campaigns, Graham became the familiar voice of Yorkshire racing across the BBC’s local radio network.

“Whenever there was racing in Yorkshire, I’d be on the radio first thing in the morning talking about the day’s meetings,” he says. “I’d broadcast for Radio York, Radio Leeds, Radio Sheffield and many others. It was all about keeping racing in the public eye.”

His work didn’t stop there. Racecourse presentations, sponsor liaison, media interviews and working closely with Yorkshire’s nine racecourses meant no two days were ever the same.

“It was just me,” Graham laughs. “But I loved every minute of it.”

A changing sport

During more than three decades in the role, Graham witnessed enormous changes in British racing.

“There were far fewer fixtures when I started,” he says. “Evening meetings were rare, whereas now they’re a huge part of the fixture list.”

He also saw racecourses transform.

“When I first started, many racecourses had fairly basic facilities. It’s been fantastic to see the investment that’s taken place over the years. They’re far more welcoming places now.”

While much has changed, Graham says one lesson has always stayed with him.

“When I joined racing, many racecourses were run by former military people. They always said one thing: ‘The horse comes first.’ I’ve never forgotten that.”

Innovation and new ideas

Throughout his career, Graham constantly looked for new ways to promote Yorkshire racing.

Among the initiatives he is most proud of is helping to establish the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, which remains one of the highlights of the racing calendar.

“It all came from wanting to showcase Yorkshire racing together rather than individually,” he explains. “It’s wonderful to see the Summer Festival still going strong today.”

He also remembers creative campaigns such as “Back A Winner By Train”, encouraging racegoers to travel by rail with discounted admission offers.

“It was all about finding different ways to attract people to the races.”

Leading the way

Graham believes Go Racing In Yorkshire has long been regarded as a model for collaboration within British racing.

“Other regions wanted to know how we did it,” he says. “Representatives from Scotland, the South West and the South East all came to Yorkshire to see how the racecourses worked together.”

That collaborative approach remains one of Yorkshire racing’s greatest strengths.

“We’ve got everything here – Flat racing, Jump racing, world-class trainers, major festivals, historic racecourses and passionate racegoers. Yorkshire really is a racing county.”

Memorable moments

After more than 40 years working in racing, including five years with Racing TV after leaving Go Racing In Yorkshire, Graham has countless memories.

One of his proudest came in 2002 when he welcomed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Beverley Racecourse.

“I had the privilege of introducing the Queen to guests during her visit,” he remembers. “She even asked me about racing at Doncaster the previous evening. I thought, ‘Who would have imagined a lad from the back streets of York would be chatting with the Queen?'”

Other unforgettable moments include York Racecourse staging Royal Ascot in 2005, meeting some of racing’s greatest jockeys including Lester Piggott, Willie Carson, Steve Cauthen and Pat Eddery, and watching legendary horses such as Frankel.

“It was a privilege to meet so many remarkable people and witness so many great horses.”

Racing is for everyone

Perhaps Graham’s biggest legacy is his belief that racing belongs to everyone.

“I never liked the phrase ‘the sport of kings’,” he says. “It isn’t. Racing is for everybody.”

That philosophy underpinned everything he did throughout his career, from promoting local race meetings to welcoming first-time racegoers.

“I always wanted people to see that racing is welcoming and accessible.”

Looking back with pride

When asked whether he reflects fondly on his years with Go Racing In Yorkshire, Graham doesn’t hesitate.

“One hundred per cent,” he says. “It was a massive part of my life, and I was blessed.”

Even today, Graham still enjoys following the sport and occasionally visits the racecourse, happy to watch the next generation continue the work he helped build.

“I’ve always believed people should put their own stamp on things,” he says. “Go Racing In Yorkshire has always moved forward, and long may that continue.”

As Go Racing In Yorkshire celebrates its 50th anniversary, Graham Orange’s contribution is woven into its history. Through his passion, enthusiasm and unwavering commitment, he helped establish Yorkshire as one of the leading racing regions in Britain—a legacy that continues to benefit the sport today.