Women's Day at Doncaster is a good bet

Virgin Bet will host its second Women's Day event at Doncaster Racecourse tomorrow (9 November) with two discussion panels to open the day’s proceedings.

The day will serve as a platform to celebrate women in racing, making it the latest effort in Virgin Bet’s long line of social impact initiatives to help create a more inclusive environment.

The event at the Virgin Bet November Handicap will build on the success of the inaugural Women’s Day at Ayr Racecourse last season, and aims to further highlight and honour the invaluable contributions of women in the sport.

The event at Doncaster Racecourse is open to everyone, embodying Virgin Bet's brand mission, 'A Good Bet' which emphasises the brand's dedication to breaking down pre-existing barriers within sports and culture at large.

Attendees can attend two panels led by presenter Natalie Pike, with the first starting at 10.45am in the Exhibition Hall, combining celebration with insight, these discussions will encourage reflection and spark conversation, connecting racing fans with legendary women transforming horse racing while also addressing diversity in the sport.

Panellists in the first discussion on Women of Horse Racing will include Sophie Green, trainee clerk of Southwell racecourse, Charlotte Russel, general manager of Go Racing In Yorkshire and Rachel Harwood, executive director of Doncaster racecourse.

The second panel, Creative Inclusivity in Racing, includes Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare chief executive and Emma Kay, founder of WalkSafe.

Presenter and ‘Women’s Day Sponsored by Virgin Bet’ collaborator, Natalie Pike, said: “It’s been amazing to return and once again be part of this fantastic initiative with the teams at Virgin Bet and Doncaster Racecourse. I hope this year’s event will continue to inspire and uplift the incredible women in horse racing.

“Creating an inclusive and safe environment for everyone in the sport is so important, and I’m proud to help bring attention to that.”

Dominic Vye, Marketing Director, Virgin Bet, said:  “Horse racing owes much of its success to the incredible women who contribute so much behind the scenes, and it’s time we celebrate their achievements. At Virgin Bet, as part of our ‘A Good Bet’ brand campaign, we want to make sport more accessible and highlight brilliance, no matter who the subject is, and this initiative is doing exactly that.”

Additionally, as part of Virgin Bet's raceday sponsorship, a donation will be made to Racing Welfare whose work ensures the wellbeing and success of British horseracing’s workforce. Virgin Bet’s support for Racing Welfare highlights the importance of giving back to the community that keeps the industry running.

The Virgin Bet November Handicap marks the beginning of Virgin Bet’s continued partnership with Arena Racing Company (ARC) for a series of key meetings throughout the 2024/25 season. This partnership extends to fellow LiveScore Group brand LiveScore Bet.

Virgin Bet’s Personal Safety Partner, WalkSafe, will also be integrated into the race day. Founded in 2020, WalkSafe was developed to give the public as much information about their surroundings as possible. The app, WalkSafe+, enables users to plan the safest route home, along with a host of additional features to help ensure a safer experience for all.

Racegoers will be able to learn more about the innovative and free-to-download app over the course of the raceday, and get the chance to speak with its founder, Emma Kay, who strives every day to educate and highlight the importance of safety in all walks of life. Emma will also feature on one of the panels, sharing her insights and experiences as part of the discussions.

Rachel Harwood, executive director of Doncaster Racecourse, added: “We are proud to celebrate Women’s Day here at Doncaster Racecourse. This initiative shines a spotlight on the essential role women play in our sport. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to remind everyone that racing is for everyone, and we hope all racegoers feel that sense of inclusivity and belonging.”

“We’re also delighted to have Virgin Bet’s Personal Safety Partner WalkSafe integrated as part of their sponsorships with us. The experience and safety for all spectators at our racecourses is a priority, so it’s fantastic to see this as part of Virgin Bet’s ‘A Good Bet’ initiatives, which aims to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.”

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