​Betfair to Support Stable Staff Week and the Clock Tower Cup

Release date: 13th April 2016

Betfair to Support Stable Staff Week and the Clock Tower Cup

Racing Welfare is delighted to announce that Betfair will be sponsoring the inaugural Stable Staff Week, which is to take place from Monday 27th June to Saturday 2nd July.

Stable Staff Week aims to bring the racing industry together to inform and engage horseracing followers and supporters about the passion, skill and dedication required to work with racehorses.

The week will incorporate a range of PR initiatives to celebrate the vital part that stable staff play in the production of British horseracing and generate awareness about Racing Welfare's role in supporting racing's workforce.

The pinnacle of the week will be the Betfair Clock Tower Cup on Racing Welfare's Raceday at Doncaster on Friday 1st July, a charity race which sees stable staff switching saddles to become jockeys and riding horses trained by their bosses. The prize on offer for the race will be a scholarship at the British Racing School or the Northern Racing College, where the winner will receive the highest standard of training to either attain their Category A Amateur Jockey License, or undertake another training course in order to advance their career in racing. The Amateur Jockey License option would involve the same intensive training Victoria Pendleton received at the beginning of her Switching Saddles journey.

The Raceday will also include a charity lunch and auction to raise funds for Racing Welfare. It will be held in Doncaster's superb Mallard Restaurant, with a champagne reception (kindly sponsored by Pommery), an excellent 3-course lunch and an exciting auction.

James Midmer, Head of Communications at Betfair comments, 'We are thrilled to be a part of Stable Staff Week and to support the fantastic work Racing Welfare do within the horseracing industry and community. Stable staff deserve recognition for the integral part they play in the sport; without their commitment and hard work, horseracing wouldn't be able to exist. The scholarship on offer in the Betfair Clock Tower Cup is with the British Racing School or the Northern Racing College, and will provide a great opportunity for the winner of the race to add to their jockey experience and build on their career in horseracing.

Dawn Goodfellow, Chief Executive of Racing Welfare adds, 'We are extremely grateful to Betfair for sponsoring Stable Staff Week and the Charity Raceday at Doncaster, featuring the Betfair Clock Tower Cup. We look forward to everyone involved in racing joining forces to recognise and celebrate the fundamental role that the stable staff play in the delivery of British Horseracing.'

George McGrath, Chief Executive of the National Association of Stable Staff, also adds; 'I am pleased to endorse the stable staff week as hosted by Racing Welfare and sponsored by Betfair. It is encouraging to see the hard work, dedication and talent of the stable staff recognised in this unique way which I hope will help to raise the profile of the stable staff and the work they put into showcasing British racing as the best in the world'

Carole Goldsmith, the BHA's Director of People and Development, also comments; 'The creation of a Stable Staff Week provides an excellent opportunity to highlight the immense contribution of the sport's skilled and dedicated workforce who work all hours of the days to ensure that our horses benefit from the highest levels of care. Alongside the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards event, it is very pleasing to see such committed staff receive the recognition they deserve. The Betfair Clock Tower Cup is sure to prove a real highlight within the programme of events organised by Racing Welfare, shining the spotlight on the riding talents of those stable staff involved in the race.'

Trainers wishing to nominate a member of staff, or staff wishing to get their trainers to nominate them to ride in the Betfair Clock Tower Cup, should visit bit.ly/ClockTowerCup to download the Betfair Clock Tower Cup race conditions, nomination and sponsorship forms.

Tables for 10 at the Racing Welfare Charity Raceday lunch, sponsored by Betfair, on Friday 1st July at Doncaster Racecourse, are £1,300 and individual places are £130. Anyone wishing to book a table or individual places should contact Mary-Ann Sandercock, Racing Welfare - msandercock@racingwelfare.co.uk or call 07786 925803.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

Stable Staff Week will take place during the week of Monday 27th June to Saturday 2nd July 2016.

It is an initiative being developed by Racing Welfare and sponsored by Betfair.

Racing Welfare is a UK-wide charity whose headquarters are in Newmarket. It serves the needs of racing personnel from the beginning of their careers through to retirement. The wide range of help provided includes provision of affordable housing, mentoring schemes for young workers, advice for those coping with illness and disabilities; through to specialist counselling and support at times of need or personal crisis.

Betfair is one of the world's largest international online sports betting providers and pioneered the betting exchange in 2000. Driven by cutting-edge technology, Betfair's exchange enables customers to bet at odds sought by themselves or offered by other customers and Betfair now also operates a complementary fixed odds Sportsbook. In addition to sports betting, Betfair offers a portfolio of innovative produces including casino, exchange games and poker.

For further information please contact Mary-Ann Sandercock, Racing Welfare – 07786 925803 or Rachel Cawley, Racing Welfare 01638 560763.