British EBF support boosts Racing with Pride Initiatives
Thu 9 Jun 2022
2021 saw the advent of the first significant activation of Pride Month activities for the LGBTQ+ community through the work of the industry social group Racing with Pride. The Trustees of the British EBF were proud to be at the forefront of this project, offering not just pledges but real world support.
The British EBF donated one of its most valuable races, a Class 3 Fillies’ Handicap at York Racecourse to Racing with Pride so the group could have a focal point for a day out at the races and a platform from which to promote their goals and welcome people to the sport.
This year, the project has developed again. With the backing of the British EBF and its utilising its unique relationship with British racecourses, Racing with Pride have been able to provide a social event at this year’s renewal and have successfully reached out to the York Templars an inclusive rugby club to welcome new race-goers.
Both York Racecourse and Racing with Pride have worked hard to bring this project to fruition and help it develop and the British EBF are delighted that the practical support we are showing for the LGBT community is paying dividends.
The Racing With Pride rainbow silks will be carried for the first time at a British turf flat racecourse, by the five year old filly Zim Baby and jockey Jim Crowley, in The British EBF Racing With Pride Fillies’ Handicap (3pm), worth £34,000 at York Racecourse on Friday 10 June.
With full support from Zim Baby’s owners the unique Silks have been transferred to Fosnic Racing from Racing With Pride specifically for this Friday’s race, which has been named in support and recognition of Pride Month and the LGBT+ community in horseracing. Furthermore, the sponsorship of the race has been generously donated to Racing With Pride by The British European Breeders’ Fund.
Zim Baby’s trainer Mick Appleby, a prominent member of the LGBT+ community in racing , commented:
“It’s good that racing is welcoming everybody into the sport, recognising different genders and orientations – welcoming people into racing with open arms.
“Zim Baby is going to be running in the ‘Racing With Pride’ silks. I’d like to think she’ll run a good race. It would be a bonus if she can win. We’ve just freshened her up, so she’s in good order and hopefully she’ll run a decent race.”
Chairman of Racing With Pride, David Letts added:
Racing With Pride is delighted to partner again with the British EBF and York Racecourse to celebrate Pride month. This visible activation is an important signal of support for the LGBTQ+ community, both within racing and beyond, and publicises the year-round commitment from these organisations to our work. It is an exciting bonus to have the Racing With Pride silks in use on the day and huge thanks go to Zim Baby’s connections for their support.”
Further activation celebrating Pride month will also be taking place around York Racecourse across its two-day fixture, with the Pride rainbow flag set to fly from the top of the grandstand on both days. Furthermore, players from The York Templars an inclusive rugby union team will also join Racing With Pride and York Racecourse as guests and enjoy the afternoon of racing, including the chance to judge the best turned out of the 3pm race and form part of the trophy presentation party.
William Derby, Chief Executive of York Racecourse commented:
““We are very grateful for the British European Breeders’ Fund’s support in enabling this special celebration of the nationwide Pride Month within racing and at York. We are delighted to be an active and enthusiastic supporter of Racing With Pride and to welcome all members of our community to York for everyone to enjoy. We wish Zim Baby and Jim Crowley, Mick Appleby, Fosnic Racing and everyone at Racing With Pride the very best of luck in the race.”
Racing With Pride Silks
The silks were created from a competition run by Racing With Pride, to design silks that will increase visibility of LGBT+ support within racing and on racecourses last year. Three designs were chosen by the Racing With Pride committee and were then put to a public vote, with the winning design brought to life by racing silks supplier, Allertons. Partners Katie Doyle and Ellen Lincoln, part of the Racing With Pride community, won the public vote and Great British Racing captured them seeing the silks being manufactured at Allertons. Watch a video of how the silks were created here: https://youtu.be/AtY-K1-A120
