Calling all racing fans… help BTRC round off the year with the final fundraising push! We have this fantastic auction prize, kindly donated by Fergal O’Brien Racing and The Jockey Club. Please take a look below and email your highest bid to enquiries@thetrc.co.uk before 5pm on 20.12.2023.
The winner with the highest bid will be notified on 21.12.23.
Welcome to our new series! Every Tuesday we will be posting #TeamTuesday over on Facebook in which we will introduce you to our amazing #TeamBTRC, with a different staff member every week. We will also be sharing the week’s update on this blog so keep coming back to find out more! Get to know a little more about the staff that work so hard to care for our horses and what makes them tick…
And last but certainly not least is our fantastic Yard Manager, Toni…
Hi, I am Toni and I have worked here at the BTRC for just over 6 years. I began as a Work Rider before I was promoted to Yard Manager 2 years ago. I have been around horses all my life. I like to see the horses come into the centre and then the changes that our care has made to them when they leave us. I particularly enjoy studying their clinical history, then I work closely with Gordon our vet, who develops a work plan which I oversee and supervise on a daily basis. It’s lovely to see the results that our hard work and care makes to these horses lives.
Favourite BTRC horse (of all time)?
Ultimate dream (who I loaned from the Centre).
Where was your first job?
Barton Equestrian Centre as a Stable Hand.
What are three items you’d take with you to a deserted island?
My dog Charlie, my daughter Sienna and a BIG bottle of Vodka!
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not working?
Ride my own horse.
If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Young Hearts Run Free by Candy Statton and the Source.
If you could change something in the world, what would it be?
To regulate breeding of animals; particularly dogs, cats and horses.
Find out more about new Stable Staff Member, Kate…
Hi I’m Kate, I hail from Essex but recently moved to Lancashire. I am a hardworking person with a passion for all things equestrian. I enjoy working with at the BTRC as I take a huge amount of pride in my work and knowing that we are helping horses when and where we can to recover and rehome makes me that much prouder of what I do.
Favourite BTRC horse (of all time)?
Cap Canaille (Clyde)
Where was your first job?
Working as a groom at Westlands Equestrian Centre in Essex when I was 13.
What are three items you’d take with you to a deserted island?
Radio, matress and suncream!!
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not working?
Travelling/sight seeing and hiking.
If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chantilly Lace by the Big Bopper
Our longest standing member of the team and a face many of you will recognise… Lauren!
Hi, I’m Lauren and I’m the Communications & Engagement Manager. I joined BTRC in early 2015 as Office Manager having previously worked for a youth charity whilst studying for a degree in Business Management. Horses have been a big part of my life since I was very young; I competed in British Showjumping and was an active member of Oxenholme Pony Club for many years. Joining BTRC was a dream as it encompassed my passion for all things equine but has also allowed me to grow and develop so much over the years. My role is incredibly varied, and each day is different, which is what I love most about working here. My new role has enabled me to get out and about more and share our work with the community, which is very rewarding. Outside of work I live with my husband Tom and two dogs Poppy & Nellie (who also come to work with me!) and I enjoy spending my free time with my own horse, Ed.
Favourite BTRC horse (of all time)?
Transfer
Where was your first job?
Working in a BnB
What are three items you’d take with you to a deserted island?
My dogs, wine and my phone (well I am the Communications Manager 😂!)
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not working?
Spending time with my family and friends, walking my dogs and riding.
If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
2Pac – Changes
If you could change something in the world, what would it be?
Free flights so I could travel the world (when I’m not working!!)
On Saturday 5th November BTRC held their 5th Annual ‘Charity Race Day’ at Aintree Racecourse. It was a beautiful, crisp November morning and the day was a great success.
Over 50 guests enjoyed a champagne reception courtesy of The Jockey Club followed by a delicious lunch in the exquisite 1750 Suite. Prior to the first race, guests donated £10 to enter a raffle to win a pair of tickets to the first day of the Grand National Festival (donated by the Jockey Club) or a tasty hamper donated by Howard & Jean Johns from Cartmel Village Shop. Our two winners were delighted, but the winner of the Grand National Tickets quickly found out she was unavailable that day so very kindly donated the tickets back to BTRC to raffle off in the upcoming charity auction!
Continue reading “BTRC Race Day Raises £8,000 for Vulnerable Thoroughbreds”
Come along for a fun filled Christmassy day out! Meet the horses, enjoy activities around the Centre, shop for your Christmas gifts at the stalls, enjoy a tasty treat from the BBQ or cake stall, take part in the fun dog show and find out more about our work retraining and rehabilitating retired racehorses.
There will be 5 fun dog classes:
– Loveliest Lady
– Fabulous Fella
– Young Handler (14 & Under)
– Dog Judge Would Most Like to Take Home
– Fancy Dress (Christmas Theme)
£2 entry per class, entries taken on the day.
BTRC Consultant Vet Gordon Sidlow BVMS MRCVS has been appointed the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR’s) Head of Veterinary Strategy.
Gordon has been dedicated to Thoroughbred welfare for almost 30 years. Primarily, in his role as the first equestrian vet for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). During his time with the HKJC Gordon was responsible for establishing the veterinary standards, and providing veterinary care for the retired racehorse population in Hong Kong, as well as monitoring the welfare of almost 900 retired racehorses donated by HKJC to Mainland China for equestrian use.
Continue reading “BTRC Vet Gordon Sidlow BVMS MRCVS appointed as RoR Head of Veterinary Strategy”
Sponsored by The Jockey Club, the four-day RoR National Championships extravaganza is the biggest event in the UK for showcasing the versatility of the thoroughbred and is the pinnacle of the showing calendar for former racehorses.
BTRC rehome retired racehorses to a variety of homes, some enjoying a quieter life of hacking and others more competitive homes. A few of those in competitive homes, attended the 2023 RoR National Championships and had a fantastic time! Read on to hear how they got on:
BTRC Don’t Touch & Lauren
“When I received the email to say we had qualified for the RoR Champs I was over the moon and so proud of Donald. We have worked our socks off this year with it being our first season getting out regularly competing. Aintree has always been a favourite venue of mine and luckily is very local so to be able to ride in the middle of the track was surreal, it was also a very good experience for us both having never ridden a dressage test on grass before and I was beyond pleased with his behaviour and him keeping his cool with a lot going on and being back on racecourse since his race days. However, the proudest moment was being invited to take part in the Always A Star Parade in the evening performance Saturday night as I got to show him off for everyone to see whilst the commentator read out his racing achievements, very proud and hoping to return next year.”
BTRC Ideal Recruit & Becca
“We had an amazing but exhausting few days at Aintree for the National Champs. We let the occasion get to us in the arena and only managed 60% in our intro test but then upped our game out on the grass and got a really solid 63.4% in the prelim. He then had a bit of a party in the in-hand class but still came 5th. Most importantly we’ve all had a great time, Rio was an absolute saint with the kids and they’ve had so much fun and are already planning next year’s trip!”
BTRC Hailing Park & Rachael
“She won national hunt veteran on Friday and amateur produced national hunt horse (only mare in both classes) and then took overall in hand champion on the Friday. She went through the first round for preliminary judging in the open in hand on the Saturday (class of 42) and finished in the top 10 narrowly missing out on the evening performance. She was the only mare to be placed and every other horse was at least 3 years her junior . She has also qualified for STARS champion of champions in November for the veterans and the ex racehorses. What a horse she is!”
Well done to all of our loaners for their achievements, it is not all about results but having a great trip out and a positive experience.
Tickets available now for our Virtual Balloon Race A fun, interactive way of helping BTRC raise funds…You will be able to name, decorate and alter the parameters of your balloon which will effect how it flies. The race uses real weather conditions including wind speed and current temperature.
This is a national race, and there are other charities and organisations taking part. This means that your balloon is competing individually. The national race are offering 2 prizes:
1.£100 cash
2. Amazon Alexa / Echo Dot 4th Generation!
We will also be offering prizes for the 1st to 3rd place and the best decorated balloon will win a mystery prize – so it’s all to play for! If we sell more than 1000 balloons, we will receive a further donation of £100.
You will need to create an account when buying a balloon, as this allows you to track it’s progress all week via the dashboard. It also ensures eco racing can contact you if your balloon wins the national race. You can buy as many balloons as you would like (£3 per balloon) which increases your chance of winning. Once the race has started you will be unable to buy more balloons or make any changes to it. Every balloon bought will help towards our goal.
Please share to all your friends, family, colleagues and anyone you know! Thank you for your support, and good luck!
Enter now for your chance to win 2x Sunday Evening Performance Tickets to Horse of the Year Show worth over £100!To enter the draw, donate just £5 to our work with vulnerable, retired racehorses. To find out what’s on at HOYs please visit: Horse of the Year Show (hoys.co.uk). Thank you to Horse of the Year Show for kindly donating the tickets to assist with fundraising for BTRC.
T&C:
The draw will be made week commencing 18th September
Winner will be contacted by telephone and/or email
If not claimed within 48hrs it will be drawn again
To enter you must be over 16 years old
Winner to receive tickets only, any travel and accommodation required is not the responsibility of BTRC or HOYS
If you are a UK tax payer, please select gift aid when purchasing – this allows us to claim 25% on top of your donation at no cost to you.
DRAW NOW CLOSED: WINNER IS SUSAN LANCASTER
Saturday 5th August saw many people turn out for the Family Fun Open Day at BTRC. With the wettest July on record, the field was out of bounds for parking and with Storm Antoni heading our way it was due to be a wet day but with all activities and demonstrations being inside we went ahead in true British spirit and what a great day we all had! With all monies donated and received on the day, BTRC were incredibly grateful to have raised over £4,500!
Tony, David and Sue are pictured with (L-R) BTRC Abs ridden by Hannah, Rehab Supervisor Charlotte, BTRC Ambassador Charlie Lawson, Mayor of Lancaster Roger Dennison, Yard Manager Toni, CEO Gillian and BTRC Theo ridden by Molly.
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