A DAY at the races proved to be an odds-on favourite for students in an initiative designed to improve mental maths and open up career prospects.
Year 8 and 9 pupils from Risedale Sports and Community College, Hipswell, were invited to Catterick Races by the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust.
Sixteen students were treated to a behind the scenes look of one of the country’s biggest and most prestigious industries on a day where champion jump jockey Tony McCoy was racing.
Their tour included the weighing room, jockeys’ changing room and stables. They addressed issues such as the importance of healthy eating and body weight, anti-doping measures and electronic security chipping.
They also dealt with imperial and metric measurements, health and safety and how the jumps are constructed from silver birch.
A visit to the stewards’ room revealed the legal complexities of racing and they even got the chance to take to the course to run the last furlong.
Students were given the privilege of choosing the best turned out racehorse in the first race, which they awarded to groom Peter Johnson, who prepared Coolanure, trained by Robert Johnson, of Sedgefield, who took second place in the novice hurdle.
Race winner Lough Derg Walk, trained by Donald McCain and ridden by Jason Maguire, was presented with its trophy by the students.
Teacher Samantha Wood said: “During the day students use an incredible amount of very fast mental maths in a subtle approach to learning.
“It also opens their eyes to the fact that Catterick Racecourse is so much more than Sunday markets, it’s a huge industry with some amazing careers prospects.”
Student Joel Lerpiniere, 14, said: “It is clear that if you want a good career breeding and selling racehorses is right up there.”
Cerys Cox, 13, of Colburn, who rides horses, added: “I have been really surprised how much is involved in the industry. I have learned a lot about the jumps and equipment and would love to be a jockey one day.”
