Chelmsford City Racecourse Celebrates National Racehorse Week

To celebrate National Racehorse Week, we were delighted to welcome our members and Annual Pass holders for an exclusive behind the scenes experience with our RoR ambassador and retired racehorse, I Am The Man (affectionately known as Manny).

Guests were introduced to 20-year-old Manny and heard from his owner, Chelsea, about his life beyond the track. The visit continued with a private behind-the-scenes stable tour and talk led by our stable manager, Susanna.

The day rounded off with a guided racecourse tour, giving members the chance to discover what goes into a raceday. Highlights included an exclusive look inside the weighing room, jockeys’ facilities, and winning connections, before crossing the track finishing at the integrity tower, to take in its breathtaking 360-degree views across the racecourse.

Annual Pass holder Sally Wright gave us some wonderful feedback on the tour….

“Hi Jo, Carrie and Suzanna,

Just wanted to say a massive Thank you to you all for a really fantastic and informative morning at the Meet and Greet today.

We all thoroughly enjoyed and experience what actually goes on behind the scenes on a race day it was amazing!

I was so pleased I was able to actually stroke “I am the Man” and you were all so encouraging of me doing that.

You made it so relaxed, informative and fun. We always say that all of you at the racetrack are so helpful, smiling and make a race day experience special. You make us feel we are part of your special team.

Thank you once again and see you at racing tomorrow!”

Speaking to Chelsea owner of Manny for the past 14 years since Manny was 6yrs old, we had an insight into Manny’s life since he retired from trainer Brian McMath.

“I fully support the RoR (Retraining of Racehorses) scheme, having a few horses myself as it introduces you to the showing world, and new environments.

When I first got 20 yr old Manny I schooled him, to help him adjust to the change, and he has then gone on to showing with many opportunities and successes since his place of 2nd at Lingfield when he was racing.

My favourite County show is Suffolk as it’s like a family with the RoR owners all being together and Manny has qualified multiple times with successful wins in the RoR classes, and 5th in the finals of Team Quest. His success also includes always being placed 1st or 2nd at Herts County and qualified in 2014 for the Riding Horse Championships at Hickstead. He is a star, and I always say he is unpredictably predictable and like your old comfy slippers!

After his morning feed and muck out he has a daily laydown like clockwork but doesn’t like mud or water so is not a fan of being out in the field and hates purple flowers which spook him!”

Established in 2000 RoR believes every former racehorse deserves a life well lived, with a mission to safeguard their wellbeing and ensure they find new purpose and loving homes. Every year more than 2,000 racehorses retire from racing in Great Britain, and like people changing jobs, these horses learn new skills and adapt to new environments, sometimes finding new homes.

Jo Head of Membership & Community reflected on the members visit and the RoR scheme:

“We are hugely grateful to Chelsea for partnering with us to bring Manny to the racecourse for events such as this, giving the public a wonderful opportunity to meet an ex-racehorse up close. Manny is such a favourite with us, he’s incredibly relaxed and absolutely loves all the attention he receives.

Horse welfare is one of our top priorities, and we are proud to be making regular contributions to RoR in support of their work. As part of our 10 Years of Community campaign we are also fundraising for RoR as one of our 10 chosen charities, and are delighted to have adopted Manny as our racecourse ambassador in 2024.

It was so heart-warming to see our valued members and Annual Pass holders enjoy their behind-the-scenes visit, complete with a special Manny meet and greet, and we are already looking forward to welcoming Manny back soon!”