Club 26 - how England wants to inspire more young people for racing
It is one of the key questions that is also always on the minds of those responsible for German racing: How can we get more young people interested in gallop racing? In England there is an initiative that we would like to introduce to you here:
The Qipco British Champions Series has announced a free racing club for young people between the ages of 18 and 26 to increase attendance at the big summer races and to increase engagement with the sport.
Club 26 was launched recently and offered its members a discounted entry of £10 at the just concluded Qipco Guineas Festival at Newmarket and for British Champions Day at Ascot in October.
Further discounted tickets will be available throughout the summer for all 26 British Champions Series race days and there are also plans to offer members behind-the-scenes tours and previews of race days.
"We are very keen to engage young people as future fans of horse racing and we are very proud to have launched Club 26 ahead of the Guineas Festival," said Qipco director Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani.
"We have many exciting plans for the club and hope it can inspire more 18 to 26-year-olds, who are key to the future of the sport, to take up racing." The British Champions Series includes the biggest flat races in the UK, including the Derby and Royal Ascot in June, Glorious Goodwood and the Ebor Festival in August and the St Leger Festival in September.
"It is very important for Sheikh Fahad to attract and encourage younger fans to the sport and the British Champions Series provides a great opportunity to do this," said marketing director Gregg Taylor.
"Recent surveys show that a younger audience is showing an interest in racing. We want to give them not only the opportunity to do so, but also to give them a deeper understanding of the sport and what happens on race day. We all know that we need to promote the sport to the next generation and we will not only be announcing ticket offers to attract new fans, but we also see this as an opportunity to educate them and bring them closer to the sport." Worthy of emulation for Germany - thinks
