Horsing around: Racehorse visits children’s special needs day centre

An Ascot racehorse swapped the track for the playground when it visited a day centre for children with special needs last week.

On Thursday, August 28, a team from Ascot Racecourse accompanied their equine ambassador, Side Glance, to visit children at Camp Mohawk - a multi-functional day centre for children with special needs and their families, based near Wargrave.

This was part of Ascot’s community outreach to spread awareness for National Racehorse Week (August 23-31).

Children at the centre were able to meet former Group 1 winner Side Glance, who interacts with over 400 people each year including racegoers, local school children and care home residents.

Side Glance is Ascot’s equine ambassador through the Retraining of Racehorses Horses for Courses scheme.

The children also experienced riding on a mechanical horse whilst learning more about the second careers of ex-racehorses and their welfare.

All photos are by Mike Swift. See more of his work at 360swift.com