Richard Layton Charity Raceday- Mental Health Awareness Week
The Richard Layton Charity Raceday, which won the Racing Together Community Award at the 14th annual RCA Showcase Awards, is the focus of a powerful new video launched today.
The video tells the story of an initiative created in memory of Richard Layton, a much-loved local farmer and member of the Herefordshire community who tragically lost his life to suicide in 2023, and the Hereford Racecourse team’s commitment to making mental health the front runner.
Recognising the silent mental health crisis impacting rural communities — in 2023 alone, seven farmers in Herefordshire tragically took their own lives — the Hereford Racecourse team created a safe space for those affected by Richard’s death, the wider farming community and local residents to come together, share their experiences and learn about mental health support. The inaugural raceday in November 2024 raised over £50,000 for three charities: We Are Farming Minds, Midlands Air Ambulance and The Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
The initiative was praised by the independent RCA Showcase Awards judging panel as an outstanding example of community engagement in British racing, with Camilla Esling and Katie Mansell attending the awards at York Racecourse in November to accept the award on behalf of the racecourse.
Camilla and Katie receive the Racing Together Community Award at Showcase 2025 from Lucy Gurney, Rishi Persad and Jonny Bairstow
Camilla Esling, General Manager at Hereford Racecourse, said: “We were honoured to accept this prestigious RCA Showcase Award, not only for the racecourse team, but for the Layton Family too, as they have achieved such wonderful things in Richard’s memory.”
The video is now available to view here, and is included in the latest RCA Talk of the Course podcast.
Paul Swain, Head of Raceday Experience and Communications at the RCA said: “It was a privilege to join Hereford Racecourse and the Layton family for this special evening to celebrate Richard’s memory and to signpost to services in horseracing and farming to support mental health.
“Hereford Racecourse’s position at the centre of its locality is clear for all to see, and I’m particularly enthused by the fact that since the inaugural Layton Charity event there have been further new initiatives created to forge the relationship between the racecourse and farming community.
“Our sincere thanks to all who contributed to the video and Racing Together for enabling it to be produced.”
The Richard Layton Charity Raceday returned to Hereford Racecourse on Thursday 16th April, with evening racing and a fourth charity beneficiary; Herefordshire MIND, joining We Are Farming Minds, Midlands Air Ambulance and The Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
