Newmarket students centre stage for Dubai Future Champions Education Week
Last week, education charity Racing to School welcomed 149 Year 8 students from Newmarket Academy to take part in Dubai Future Champions Education Week, a unique programme of immersive learning exploring the wide range of career opportunities across the horseracing industry.

Now in its tenth year, the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project (NAGBP) provides the framework for the established five-day initiative. The objective is to bring learning to life outside of the classroom through practical experiences across some of Newmarket’s key racing organisations. The year group took part in engaging educational activities that deepened their understanding of horse welfare, racing heritage, and the life and care of a racehorse. Visits to Dalham Hall Stud; the training yards of Charlie Fellowes and Ed Dunlop; a behind-the-scenes tour of auction house Tattersalls, and the town’s world class veterinary specialists gave students an appreciation of the people, skills and opportunities that shape the horseracing industry.

Penny Taylor, Godolphin’s UK Charities Manager said: “Dubai Future Champions Education week is one of the feature events of the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project. The week is designed to allow Year 8 students to learn about why Newmarket is so special with access to so many organisations and areas that would not normally be available to them, giving them an understanding of the many and varied career opportunities horseracing can offer. We are very grateful to everyone who supported the week by hosting the students, who will hopefully be the sport’s champions of the future.”

The week concluded at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse on the first day of the Dubai Future Champions Festival, where students experienced the excitement of a live raceday while celebrating everything they had learnt. ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin spent time with the group to discuss his broadcasting career and the teamwork involved in delivering raceday coverage. It seemed appropriate that the Godolphin-owned Beckford’s Folly claimed victory in the first race, the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes. A small group of Year 9 Academy students had the honour of presenting the awards to the winners, including jockey William Buick.

Reflecting on the week, Danielle Dawson, Head of Business & IT and Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Coordinator, added: “Dubai Future Champions Education Week is always a highlight in our school calendar and it has been a fantastic opportunity for all involved.

“We are always indebted to everyone within the industry who opens their doors and shares such valuable insights with our students.

“As we look forward to celebrating our 10th anniversary partnership, we would like to say a special thank you to Godolphin and the charity Racing to School for all their help and support over the last decade. These opportunities would not be possible without the dedication of these two organisations.”

Racing to School’s Programme Manager, Ollie McPhail, said: “This is a special week both for the Academy and our team, most of whom are deployed from across the country to coordinate and support the range of activities that are designed to link students to their unique local community. Watching the students’ interest in the industry and the sport grow throughout the week highlights the real value of this partnership and its positive impact. It’s all about raising ambitions and creating something valuable and enduring.”

Newmarket Academy students conclude the weeks activities at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse Picture by Mark Westley

Racing to School is grateful to sponsors Godolphin, Newmarket Racecourses, and the Jockey Club Estates, and all partner organisations for their ongoing support of Dubai Future Champions Education Week.

All photos credited to Mark Westley.