Richard Phillips hopes to build on success of first National Racehorse Week

‘We’ll continue to think of ways we can promote all of the good things we do’

Plans are already afoot to broaden the reach of National Racehorse Week as its creator Richard Phillips hailed the success of the inaugural event.

Cotswolds trainer Phillips devised last month’s welcome for the British public into yards countrywide, with a view to providing visitors with an authentic insight into the lives of British racehorses.

Running from September 12 -19, the week saw 140 trainers open their stables – with Newmarket, Malton and Epsom all involved alongside yards elsewhere.

While open days at the key centres already existed, National Racehorse Week combined them with many stable tours in other parts of Britain and drove media output focusing on the love of the racehorse.

The idea was first devised in 2019 and, as it came to fruition, prompted an industry-wide effort to illustrate the care and respect shown to equine athletes.

“I think it went well – the industry seemed to rally around it and support it,” said Phillips.

“It was great to see so many trainers embrace it.

“I think it’s (horse welfare) the one thing we can all agree on in the industry, so I do think it was a good start and something to build upon.

“The trainers really embraced it, and 140 opened – hopefully that’s a number we can build on. But even the trainers that didn’t open, everyone did something even though it doesn’t suit all yards to open – and I fully appreciate that.

“Everyone did what they could, and we’ll continue to think of ways that we can promote all of the good things that we do.”

Plans to launch the event were already in motion, but its inaugural staging proved particularly timely after the double blows dealt to the sport this year by the photograph of trainer Gordon Elliott sitting on a dead horse and disturbing footage in a BBC Panorama documentary which showed several ex-racehorses ending their lives in a Swindon slaughterhouse.

The industry was united in condemning both stories, and Phillips’ concept was able to depict the care and attention provided to horses in training.

“We came up with the idea before that, but I think it concentrated the mind when we saw the negative press – and certainly those in racing know that is not typical in any way or form,” he said.

“The typical life for a racehorse is one we should celebrate, along with all the wonderful things that horses do for people as well.

“That’s the whole point of the week, and it seemed to work well.”

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