The Newmarket Pony Academy, part of the British Racing School, proudly welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today (Wednesday 22nd October 2025), as part of a visit to see the Academy’s work with local young people in action.
Her Royal Highness, a keen equestrian herself, met with pupils from The Pines Primary School in Bury St Edmunds who were taking part in the Newmarket Pony Academy’s primary school programme which mixes equine care with aspects of the curriculum and aims to develop key skills, such as confidence, resilience and overall engagement in learning.
Andrew Braithwaite, Chief Executive of the British Racing School said, “We were incredibly honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Newmarket Pony Academy today. As someone who fully appreciates the power of horses and ponies as an equestrian and Olympian, it was wonderful to be able to show how the ways in which the Academy is supporting young people in the community and making riding and working with ponies accessible and exciting. The Princess Royal’s visit shines a powerful spotlight on how horses can positively impact young people’s well-being, confidence, and social development and introduce them to the racing industry.”
During the visit Her Royal Highness met with key members of the team at the Newmarket Pony Academy including Carol Bramhill and Grace Allan, as well as Penny Taylor of Godolphin who was instrumental in setting up the Academy in 2021. She also spoke with students of the British Racing School taking part in the Foundation Course, an apprenticeship programme leading to employment within the racing industry. During the tour The Princess Royal also had the chance to meet Schematic, a retired racehorse owned by His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen, who is currently part of the 70 strong team racehorses working at the British Racing School and helping to teach young people to ride.
Set up in 2021, The Newmarket Pony Academy is a community project providing access to horses and ponies for 8-14 year olds and, in addition to the primary school programme, runs afterschool, weekend and holiday clubs for local young people who have been referred by teachers and social workers, and alternative provisions for children struggling with mainstream education. It currently actively works with 27 local schools and hosts annual charity days in collaboration with Autism in Racing, East Anglia Children’s Hospice, Box4Kids and offers a HAF (Holiday Activity and Food Programme) throughout the school holidays.