Your Showcase Finalists: Diversity & Inclusion

With the Finalists for the 2022 RCA Showcase & Awards now out it’s time to take a look at those in the running for each of the awards. The Diversity & Inclusion award celebrates initiatives which open the sport to all and promote racecourses as accessible, welcoming venues.

Cheltenham—Aamilah Aswat

Aamilah Aswat always dreamed of becoming a jockey. Cheltenham Racecourse took it upon themselves to help this become a reality by supporting and funding her place in the Khadijah Mellah Riding A Dream Academy. Local media coverage of the partnership introduced the sport to a more diverse audience and allowed Cheltenham to shine a light on important community hubs within the area. Most importantly, the initiative provided an opportunity to a local girl that wouldn’t have had the chance to pursue her dreams without it.

Goodwood—The Magnolia Cup

This year’s Magnolia Cup aimed to recognise the importance of offering opportunities for individuals from all walks of life. Benefitting from an open application process the 2022 running of the renowned charity race celebrated women in sport from different backgrounds and raised a record £315,000 for charity. Ashleigh Wicheard’s victory provided one of the symbolic moments of the season with Ashleigh leading the other riders in taking the knee to support Black Lives Matter.

The Magnolia Cup

Market Rasen—Sensory Raceday Experience

With an estimated 450,000 people who are deafblind living in Britain, Market Rasen wanted to create a raceday that acknowledged these individuals and encourage them to come racing. Partnering with Deafblind UK, the racecourse hosted the first sensory experience raceday which included a sign language interpreter on the big screens, additional description within the raceday commentary and a sensory zone by the final fence where racegoers could feel the thundering of the hooves and excitement that only a day at the races can bring.

Sensory Raceday Experience – Pic Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com

Newbury—Female Commentary Initiative—Dani Jackson

Commentators are an integral part of the raceday experience, but go to a British Racecourse and you will only ever hear a male voice. This is something Newbury wanted to challenge so in 2022 they appointed aspiring race caller Dani Jackson as their official charity race commentator. With national news coverage and over 4 million reached on social media the initiative has not only helped Dani hone her own skills but inspired others to give race calling a go.

Female Commentary Initiative—Dani Jackson © Max Lacome, maxlacome.com. Dani Jackson.

York—Pride Raceday

They do things properly in Yorkshire, and York adopted this mindset for their Pride Raceday by offering an inclusive, unforgettable experience for members of the LGBT+ community. Working closely with sponsors, Racing with Pride and local inclusive rugby team York RI Templars, York created a safe environment for members of the LGBT+ community to meet and enjoy a day at the races with plenty of added extras to show this is a sport, and racecourse, where all are welcome. Such visible support is sure to resonate with the community in the city and beyond.

Pride Raceday