A Day at the Races

With the summer holidays only weeks away, Great British Racing, the sport’s promotional body, is launching its biggest ever national under 18s campaign to encourage more families to take advantage of free entry for children and young people at racecourses across the country.

It’s a little-known fact that under 18s go free to almost every British racecourse on almost every raceday, making a day at the races a unique family day out that won’t break the bank. There are more than 200 racedays up and down the country over the school holidays and amongst these are 58 special family days, with additional activities put on for families and young people including pony rides, fairground attractions, visits from popular characters, football training, bouncy castles and face painting.

As part of the campaign, Great British Racing has teamed up with leading presenter and DJ, Sara Cox, an avid racing fan who has ridden in several charity races herself and has enjoyed a lifelong love of horses. Sara has created a range of video content for the newly created StirrUpSummer.com, including a unique and entertaining Guide to the Races. StirrUpSummer.com allows visitors to find out where their nearest course is and what’s on, as well as enjoy a range of fun and engaging content, specially designed and created for families and young people.

Sara said: “Racing is such a brilliant day out and the fact that under 18s go free, not just during the summer holidays but throughout the year makes it even better. “There is so much do – from seeing the amazing horses in the paddock before the race, to watching them thunder past you and enjoying all the other activities around the course. If you’ve never been before then I’d definitely encourage you to give it a go this summer.”

You can watch Sara’s guide to the races here.

Rod Street, Chief Executive of Great British Racing said: “Racing is a box office hit of colour and excitement and is such a brilliant day out for all the family. With the summer holidays just around the corner and accompanied under 18s admitted for free, there is no better time to head to your local track.

“This is why we have launched our StirrUpSummer campaign and we are delighted to have Sara Cox on board to help us encourage more young people and their families to head to the races.”

To find out more about a brilliant day at the races, head to StirrUpSummer.com.

Children at Ascot enjoying the racing Ascot 24.9.06 Pic Dan Abraham - racingfotos.com