Top jockeys play host to racegoers

More than 20 former and current jockeys have been recruited as racecourse hosts to give visitors expert insight to their day at the races.

Jockey Club Racecourses launched the initiative, in partnership with the Jockeys Employment & Training Scheme (JETS), to offer an “enhanced raceday experience to its customers”.

The hosts include Grand National-winning jockey Brendan Powell and Derby winners Michael Hills and John Reid. They will share their knowledge with guests, explain what happens during a raceday, guide newcomers through reading the racecard and arrange visits behind the scenes.

“I’m delighted to be involved,” said John Reid. “It’s great to see The Jockey Club is contributing even more to British racing as an industry by employing retired and current jockeys. I’m certain we can give racegoers a really special experience.

“I’m ready with my anecdotes and to share my amazing experience of winning The Derby.”

JETS was set up to help former jockeys and support those nearing retirement with the transition to new forms of employment.

Jockey Club Racecourses’ Paul Fisher said: “[The hosts] are a great way for our customers to get even more out of their day at the races and learn new things about our sport.

“At the same time, it’s great to be giving something back to hardworking jockeys and in the process we hope to generate funds that we will reinvest into the sport.”

The initiative — available at all 15 of the Jockey Club racecourses — will be open initially as an upgrade to a hospitality or group booking.

Cost: £275; visit http://www.jockeyclubracecourses.com/jockey-club-hosts/

Martha Terry

H&H features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on dogs of all shapes and sizes. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs, one a street dog from Gambia who was abandoned at three weeks old. Now, her constant companion, whether by her feet at her desk or walking cross-country courses, is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.