Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) held a ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ Day which took place at Galway Racecourse.
The objective of the ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ initiative is to educate school children about racing and show them what happens behind-the-scenes at a racecourse. It also builds relationships between the racecourses and their local community, encouraging an affinity with racing which will hopefully produce future racegoers.
Over 300 fifth and sixth class pupils from seven local schools took part. As part of the day they spent time walking the track with racecourse manager, Michael Moloney who explained how the team at Galway Racecourse prepare the track for its festival in early August.
County Galway man and 11-time champion point-to-point rider, Derek O’Connor spoke to the children about his day-to-day routine as a jockey, the safety equipment riders must wear, and his many successful wins. Racehorse trainer Fergus Hanley and groom Tazmen Murray gave the children a brief insight into their lives in racing and introduced them to racehorse Milo.
The pupils received demonstrations from R.A.C.E.’s (Racing Academy & Centre of Education) racehorse simulator and took part in the ‘Front Runner – Racing Club for Kids’ racing-themed games, puzzles and quizzes.
Each pupil received a ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ goodie bag, which included two complimentary tickets to go racing at Galway on the final day of the summer festival 2017, Mad Hatters Day on Sunday 6th August, which includes a family fun day with lots of free activities for children.
Michael Moloney, Manager at Galway Racecourse, commented: “We had a great time today with all the pupils from our local schools. The activities here educate school children about racing and show them what happens behind the scenes at Galway in the lead up to the festival.”
Julianne, a student from Tirellan National School, commented: “It was a really great day, my favourite part was seeing the racehorse Milo. I can’t wait to go racing with my family and see Milo racing on the track.”
Schools that took part
1. Castlegar NS
2. Menlo NS
3. St Michael’s Boys School
4. Merlin Woods Primary School
5. Carnmore NS
6. Tirellan NS
7. Brierhill NS
Outline of the ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ Education Days:
Station 1: Parade Ring – Meet a Trainer
A trainer talks to the pupils about how their yard prepares for a race day, how to train a racehorse, what a horse eats and how much exercise it must get. The trainer will bring a horse with him/her and will go through the anatomy of a horse and show the students how to tack up for racing.
Station 2: The Weigh Room – Meet a Jockey
The students are brought into the jockey’s weigh room where they meet and speak to a jockey. The jockey explains how he/she became a jockey, what it takes to be a jockey, how he/she prepares for races and answers any questions the students may have.
Station 3: R.A.C.E – Racing Simulator
Representatives from R.A.C.E (Racing Academy & Centre of Education) are present with their racehorse simulator to talk to the students about their jockey trainee course. An instructor demonstrates, using the racehorse simulator, how to ride a racehorse. Some of the students from each group have a go on it too.
Station 4: Front Runner – Racing Club for Kids
The children are shown a range of racing equipment, props and visuals that are required for racing, including silks, horse shoes, racing tack, feed, etc. There is also a quiz to check their knowledge on Irish racing.
Station 5: Racecourse Track Manager
The students then meet the Racecourse Track Manager. They learn about how the Racecourse Track Manager and the team at the racecourse prepares the track/ground for a race day.
