Chris Hughes, Sam Quek and Rachel Lugo attended urban racing yard to introduce visitors to racehorses.

• over 14,500 members of the public taking part in national racehorse week

• 95 free public open days taking place across britian during national racehorse week

• 55 community events taking place engaging with 2,000 additional members of the public

Horseracing took over Chester city centre today as part of National Racehorse Week which runs 23-31 August. Members of the public were able to meet racing’s equine athletes up close and for some, it was their first time meeting a horse.

Great British Racing, who run National Racehorse Week, took its ‘urban racing yard’ to the heart of Chester city centre to give even more people the chance to meet a racehorse as part of the nine-day event. Bay of Australia, formerly trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero and Dehradun, formerly trained by Fergal O’Brien visited the stables on the high-street.

TV Star and National Racehorse Week ambassador, Chris Hughes was in Chester to welcome the public and share his racing knowledge and love for racehorses. Hughes was joined by Sports Personality, Sam Quek, who also owns racehorses, and Real Housewives of Cheshire star, Rachel Lugo.

Positioned on Northgate Street, horseracing was taken to passersby who were able to:

• Meet two former racehorses, Bay of Australia known as ‘Mole’, and Dehradun known as ‘Joey’

• Witness farrier and physio demonstrations and ask the experts questions about caring for equine athletes

• Experience riding like a jockey, with tips from Racing to School and Jump jockey Lilly Pinchin. VR headsets were available to wear whilst on a mechanical horse

• Explore a racehorse’s wardrobe

The ‘urban racing yard’ provided an educational and entertaining experience for visitors. Throughout the week, the sport aims to bring racing closer to people of all ages and backgrounds, giving those, particularly in city locations, the chance to get up close with a horse, sometimes for the very first time.

National Racehorse Week takes place across England, Scotland and Wales and offers over 14,500 free places at more than 80 venues, including racing yards, studs and racehorse retraining centres.

Hughes, who is a racehorse owner said: “I have loved being part of the event in Chester and taking the horses into the town. Getting to experience these magical horses up close cannot be underestimated and to be able to share that with so many people today feels really rewarding.”

“It has been brilliant to be able to show people just how much care goes into looking after racehorses. They really are treated amazingly, with dedicated staff and a whole team around them to make sure that they are in the best possible health. Everyone working in the sport is passionate about providing the best possible care we can to the horses we all adore, and I am really proud of the fact that so many members of the public have been able to see that today.”

"There is nothing quite like this (National Racehorse Week) in any other sport. It is fantastic that the events during the week are free to attend with everyone welcome to join. You don’t get the opportunity to go to behind-the-scenes at training centres like this in other sports, especially for free!”

Quek said: “It was fantastic to be able to share my love for horses and the sport with so many families today. Thoroughbreds are amazing, empathetic animals and to be able to have them here in Chester and give the public by the chance to meet them up close has been wonderful.”

Lugo said: “It’s no secret that I am lover of horses and to be able to share that with so many people today in Chester has been great. Racehorses are athletes and trained with such care and dedication. It was great to be part of the even and I encourage families to visit a National Racehorse Week over the weekend to experience it for themselves.”

Taking place for the first time during the school summer holidays, the nationwide event offers families a chance to enjoy a free and memorable day out. Visitors are welcomed into the homes of racehorses to see them relaxing in their stables or fields, training on the gallops, and enjoying a post-work wash or even swim. Many venues feature live demonstrations from farriers, physiotherapists and vets, along with opportunities to speak directly with grooms, trainers and stable staff.

Between 28th -31st August 59 events are due to take place welcoming 8,800 members of the public.

Since its inception in 2021, National Racehorse Week has delivered 140 community events alongside 64,000 free places for the public to come behind the scenes of the sport. This year’s programme includes 55 community events reaching over 2,000 individuals in addition to the public open days (which offers 14,500 spaces_. The community visits will give those who may not have the chance to visit a venue the opportunity to meet a racehorse, to learn about the racing industry and the wonderful lives current and retired racehorse's lead.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

For more information contact:

• Georgia Dingle, Head of PR, Great British Racing gdingle@greatbritishracing.com

About Great British Racing

Great British Racing is the marketing and promotional body of British horseracing - the second biggest spectator sport in the country. Our role is to widen horseracing’s fan-base and to help maintain British racing's position internationally as the best in the world. For more information, visit www.greatbritishracing.com

What is National Racehorse Week?

National Racehorse Week is a nationwide celebration of the Thoroughbred racehorse. Over nine days the doors to studs, training yards, and retraining centres across Britian are thrown open for free for the public to come behind the scenes of the sport. The event helps shine a light on the incredible levels of care provided to these magnificent athletes and lets people experience their lives away from the racecourse. The first National Racehorse Week took place in 2021. This is the fifth year of the event. When you total all five years (including 2025), National Racehorse Week will have delivered:

• 64,000 free places for the public to visit studs, training yards, and retraining centres for free

• 190 community events connecting over 10,000 additional people

• National Racehorse Week is the chance for people to experience for themselves the life of a Thoroughbred in racing

• National Racehorse week provides the public with the opportunity to talk to the people who dedicate their lives to their care and development, ask questions, and create more informed opinions about the sport

• National Racehorse Week is a fantastic opportunity to see behind-the-scenes of racing and experience the joy of getting close to horses

• Racehorses are equine athletes and lead an exceptionally high quality of life.

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