With the summer holidays having just arrived, Great British Racing, the sport’s promotional body, has launched 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 - including across the West Midlands.
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.
There are a host of family racing events taking place in the West Midlands this summer, including the Big Summer BBQ Family Raceday at Uttoxeter Racecourse this Sunday 30 July, which will see entertainment including a Burton Albion shoot out, wildlife displays assault courses and inflatables alongside an afternoon of racing, as well as free entry for all accompanied under 18s.
Wolverhampton Racecourse also hosts the Caribbean Party Raceday on Monday 31 July, with authentic Caribbean recipes and traditions provided by Momma Bears Wings N Tings, music from a live steel pan band and more. Tickets start from just £11, with under 18s going free.
Additional fixtures across the West Midlands include:
• Family Fun Day, Wolverhampton Racecourse, Friday 11 September: Not only do under 18s go free to this action-packed raceday, but under 12s can even eat free in the racecourse’s Horizons Restaurant. Dudley Zoo will be joining the day, with extra entertainment including bouncy castles, face painting and more. • Family Fun Day, Worcester Racecourse, Sunday 3 September: The last of Worcester’s Family Fun Days, with entertainment including pony rides, mini quad bikes, bouncy castles and more, not to mention free entry for under 18s.
As part of the campaign, Great British Racing has also 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.”
Further collaborations with prominent YouTube personality, Caspar Lee, and X factor stars Reggie ’n’ Bollie, have seen the launch of two competitions on StirrUpSummer.com created to directly appeal to young people and families. Caspar Lee has launched a competition for under 18s to design their own ‘horse trainer’ to be in with a chance to win a VIP day at the races, including a meet-up with the popular vlogger himself, whilst Reggie ’n’ Bollie have showcased their rap skills in a unique ‘Hip Clop’ video, challenging youngsters to put their commentary skills to the test for the chance to win an amazing set of prizes, including an iPad and virtual reality headset.
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 such prominent personalities on board to help us encourage more young people and their families to head to the races.”