In the season that sees Wincanton Racecourse celebrate 150 years of racing, the Somerset track has also taken sponsorship to a new level with an innovative partnership between Paul Nicholls and the raceday’s chosen charity, Key4Life.
Key4Life – a Somerset-based charity that is seeing extraordinary results rehabilitating young offenders and those at risk of going to prison through an innovative seven-step programme – has placed two participants to work in the yard of top jump trainer, Paul Nicholls, ahead of their charity raceday on Sunday, 29th October.
Today (Monday, 23rd October) Anthon and Jack joined ‘Team Ditcheat’ at 6:30am to undertake a day’s placement in one of horseracing’s most established jump racing yard. Under the supervision of Assistant Trainer, Harry Derham, the Key4Life cadets were responsible for general yard duties that included mucking out, grooming, yard cleaning and turn out on the walker.
Speaking about the initiative, Eva Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Key4Life said: “We are so grateful to Paul Nicholls for giving these young men work tasters and his support for the Key4Life Charity Raceday. Horses play a key role in rehabilitation including taking them to prison to work with the young offenders, alongside work experience and securing employment. So far, those 18-24-year-olds who have come through the prison programme are four times less likely to re-offend than those who are not, and four times more likely to gain sustained employment.”
Paul Nicholls, explains: “I am delighted to have been able to accommodate Anthon and Jack – giving them an exclusive insight into horseracing. Everyone deserves another chance and Key4Life’s seven-step rehabilitation programme speaks for itself with statistics that prove appropriate help and guidance does reduce the risk of youth reoffending.”
Huw Williams, General Manager of Wincanton Racecourse, added: “In true jump racing spirit, Paul Nicholls has kindly embraced our charity raceday sponsor (Key4Life) with this amazing work placement and unique racing opportunity for Anthon and Jack.
“Furthermore, his niece and nephew (Harry and Amy Derham) are both riding in the Key4Life Charity Race, which launches the fundraising raceday on Sunday, 29th October.
“Wincanton is very privileged to have such loyal support from its racing and regional communities; and I am thrilled with this new sponsorship initiative.”
The Key4Life Charity Raceday on Sunday 29th October also sees the charity celebrate its 5th anniversary.
The day begins with a charity race (off at 12:15pm) in which eight brave racing folk; including siblings Harry and Amy Derham, trainers Anthony Honeyball and Harry Whittington; and Qatari royalty Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani line up for a 1m2f sprint, in a fundraising contest.
The celebratory fixture will also stage seven official races and will be bursting with complimentary entertainment from Victorian themed rides, jugglers to a children’s carousel, plus QPR Football Club and Bath Rugby Club workshops for racegoers and their families.
To book tickets to Wincanton’s Key4Life Charity Raceday on Sunday, 29th October or for further information about future racedays visit wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk or call 0344 579 3014.
