Newmarket Racecourses has today announced a series of initiatives over the three-day QIPCO Guineas Festival at Newmarket focused on the longstanding passions of King Charles III.
The meeting, which takes place across the Coronation Weekend of Friday 5th May – Sunday 7th May 2023, will see a number of activations focused on the local community and the environment.
The opening day will look to provide a well-deserved day out to local community and charity volunteers, with over 1200 groups in the area being offered the chance to attend for free and to nominate a “Community Champion”.
The winner, which will be decided based on contribution to local volunteering and charitable causes, will be announced on the day and receive a magnum of Nyetimber and a £1000 charity bet courtesy of bookmaker John Christie.
The community groups will also be asked to join a one-off photo opportunity to mark the Coronation with local schoolchildren creating a giant collage of the famous Royal racing silks in partnership with Great British Racing and Racing To School.
Local schoolchildren have also been invited to design a piece of art for the official race card, encapsulating both the QIPCO Guineas Festival and the Coronation. The winning artist will be invited to QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 21st October 2023.
To mark King Charles’ longstanding dedication to the environment, Saturday 6th May has been chosen as the climax to a two-year programme of nationwide tree planting across The Jockey Club which began with the Queen’s Green Canopy project.
The Jockey Club has planted over 160 trees across 16 of its locations since 2021. A final coronation tree will be planted at the Rowley Mile before racing on 6th May to complete the project and serve as a lasting memento for the occasion.
Sophie Able, Newmarket Racecourses and International Director, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to celebrate causes which we know are so close to the Royal Family on what is a momentous weekend both for Newmarket and the nation.
“To be able to thank local volunteers for all that they do, work with local school children and round off a significant programme of tree planting right across the Jockey Club will provide a real enhancement to a weekend of celebration and top-class racing.”
