York Racecourse has announced that former racehorse Goldream is to become their first equine ambassador, further developing their existing partnership with New Beginnings, a locally based rehoming and retraining racehorse charity.

A former dual Group 1 winner of the King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and Prix de L’Abbaye at Paris, Longchamp, Goldream will represent the Yorkshire track on and off the racecourse and help demonstrate the meaningful lives racehorses lead following their racing career. 

Racegoers can get to know Goldream, and his friend Poppy the pony, in the Clock Tower Enclosure at the majority of York’s 2022 fixtures and learn more about racehorses and their lives during and after racing. His role will also involve deepening York Racecourse’s connection with the community by visiting groups who might not have the chance to meet a living horse.

Goldream is resident alongside twenty-five former racehorses at the charity New Beginnings based near York, founded by Kevin and Pam Atkinson, who commented:  

“Goldream is a wonderful character and is very calm and loves meeting people and will certainly be at home with all the attention in his role as York’s ambassador! 

We see daily the powerful impact racehorses have on people lives and we are delighted to be partnering with York Racecourse on this initiative so more people can experience and learn what horses do for people, and people for horses”.

William Derby, Chief Executive of York Racecourse and who also has a former racehorse, added:

“Our priority is to ensure the highest standards of equine welfare at York Racecourse when racehorses visit us. However, a horse’s racing career is just one chapter of its life, the thoroughbred is the most versatile and wonderful of breeds and there are many opportunities for a fulfilling and successful life after their racing days are over.   

Locked Inthepocket has given me and my family years of enjoyment since we took him on after he had finished racing, and at the age of nineteen he is still loving life! He and Goldream are an example of the second careers many former racehorses go on to do.  At York our commitment to racehorses extends well beyond their racing lives, and we are delighted to be partnering with New Beginnings and encourage racegoers to come and say hello to Goldream when they visit us this year”.

Goldream and his thoroughbred friend Nearly Caught, and Poppy the pony from New Beginnings will attend the following fixtures at York Racecourse and racegoers can meet them in the Clock Tower Enclosure (dates subject to change):

Thursday 12th and Friday 13th May

Sunday 22nd May

Saturday 9th July

Saturday 23rd July

Wednesday 17th to Saturday 20th August

Sunday 4th September

Saturday 8th October