York Racecourse Equine Ambassador and former dual Group 1 winning racehorse Goldream surprised 400 pupils of Clifton Green Primary School in York this morning when joining their morning assembly.  The day before at York’s Family Sunday Goldream, known as Remy, also met with over 800 children and their families at its raceday.

On National Racehorse Week Goldream’s visit to Clifton Green cemented the charitable partnership between the school and York Racecourse. The focal point of the assembly was Remy’s life as a racehorse and now in his second career as a therapy horse for the racehorse rehoming charity New Beginnings.  Children also had the opportunity to meet Remy and his friend Poppy the pony and received a National Racehorse Week activity booklet featuring fun facts and information about the thoroughbred.

As part of their charitable partnership with York Racecourse, Clifton Green receives a £1000 donation, which has been put towards creating a water play area and mud kitchen in the schools grounds, a raceday bucket collection, tickets to the races to use as fundraisers and to host a fundraising event at a discounted rate at the racecourse.  Furthermore, the charity has access to expertise within the racecourse team to support them across their organisation, and where York’s head gardener, Zac Rafferty will be helping the school to construct several bug-houses to help improve bio-diversity around its grounds in York City.

William Derby, Chief Executive of York Racecourse commented:  “We are extremely proud of Remy as he has been busy recently as our ambassador, and we are very grateful to New Beginnings for facilitating this special visit to mark our charitable partnership with Clifton Green Primary.   It was wonderful this morning to see the children’s excitement when Remy joined morning assembly and met the children and this is extra special on National Racehorse Week when British Racing celebrates the racehorse before, during after their racing careers. 

“Remy has connected with many people across Yorkshire this summer who may not have had the chance to meet a horse before, or through his visits to hospices and well-being centres where he has lifted people physically and mentally who are experiencing life-limiting or terminal illness and bereavement. It’s wonderful to see this former star of the racetrack benefiting so many people following his racing career whilst leading his own meaningful life”.

Nicola Jones, Head Teacher of Clifton Green Primary said: "We are thrilled to be working in partnership with York Racecourse this year and really appreciate their support and the opportunities they will be providing to our children. Having Remy visit school today has been a magical experience which we know many will remember for years to come but most importantly the children will have learned about the positive impact animals can have in our lives."

Pam Atkinson of New Beginnings said:  Remy and Poppy certainly enjoyed all the attention they received from the children! We are so proud of them both, with Remy being an outstanding example of the versatility and gentleness of the Thoroughbred”.