Last Friday night, with equal amounts of trepidation, in view of the huge black storm clouds, and excitement for the prospect of a fantastic evening, the team at BRS welcomed a fabulous crowd of supporters to a fundraising & showcase evening, very generously sponsored by The Jockey Club. This event served both as a thank you for the support of our extremely loyal and dedicated supporters, partners, donors and trainers alike, as a celebration of all that has been achieved over the past 40 years of operation, and a showcase of the fantastic work that takes place on this wonderful facility.
The showcase itself featured an exhibition by the Newmarket Pony Academy, whose riders took up the challenge of some mounted games, whilst manager Anna Sylvester educated the attendees on the ponies and some of the work they undertake. Bathed in sunlight at this stage, it was a perfect setting for our guests to enjoy a drink and nibbles.
The sunshine was not set to last unfortunately, and the rain made an appearance just as the students brought some of the yard horses up to parade. Spirits were not dampened however, and the former graduates who were present and interviewed by Lauren Braithwaite (a late stand in for Lydia Hislop who was unexpectedly unable to attend) were a shining example of exactly why BRS is such a fantastic charity to support.
The showcase evening drew on and a delicious supper was had by all, culminating in a special showing of the 40th anniversary film, so generously created by the team at Ascot Racecourse. The donation of a piece of artwork by renowned sporting artist, Jeremy Houghton, who was present at the showcase, was a hugely kind gesture and we are looking forward to working with Jeremy again in the future. Gifts like this are massively beneficial to the fundraising campaign, and our huge thanks go to Jeremy and his team for facilitating this.
The evening was also an opportunity for BRS to express our gratitude to some of our most generous donors. These invaluable contributors play a crucial role in supporting the school’s mission of training and nurturing stable staff and aspiring jockeys. Their unwavering support ensures the continuity of excellence in British horse racing. With the unwavering support of donors, the institution continues to produce world-class talent, securing a promising future for the sport.
Whilst last Friday was undoubtedly a fantastic evening, the work continues at the School, both hands on with the students, but also with the fundraising campaign.
With increased prices across the board, the running costs of BRS have of course gone up and we are hugely grateful for any donations you may be able to make. These can be made either via our Enthuse donation page or for larger pledges, through our Head of Fundraising, Katrina (katrina.archer-rand@brs.org.uk).