Racing Together Community Week will return from 18–24 May 2026, bringing together organisations from across British horseracing to support local communities through coordinated volunteering efforts. Now in its seventh year, the initiative has grown significantly, with participation more than doubling since 2020.
In 2025, over 90 racing organisations, including racecourses, trainers, owners and industry staff, took part in activities ranging from school outreach and charity partnerships to community clean-ups and food bank support. The week has become a focal point for showcasing the sport’s collective social impact beyond racing itself.
A new optional theme has been introduced for 2026, encouraging participants to focus on addressing loneliness within their communities. The theme aligns with an ongoing pilot programme delivered at six racecourses, exploring how the sport can help reduce social isolation in surrounding areas.
The development of Community Week was a key topic at a recent industry event, where stakeholders discussed ways to increase participation, improve impact measurement and expand awareness of year-round community work. The discussions also reinforced the importance of highlighting racing’s contribution to social wellbeing and local engagement.
Organisations are encouraged to align their activities with key themes such as youth opportunity, community wellbeing and the positive role of racehorses. Several racecourses are also expected to support the initiative by naming races during the week and using racedays to promote community-focused efforts.
Community Week arrives at a period of notable change for British racing's governing body. The BHA recently confirmed the resignation of Chair Lord Allen following a failure to reach a unanimous agreement among member organisations on proposed governance reforms, with Senior Independent Director David Jones stepping in as Interim Chair.
Separately, Brant Dunshea, who had been serving as Acting CEO since December 2024, has been appointed to the role permanently.
Participation in Community Week has more than doubled since 2020, reflecting increasing industry engagement in community-focused initiatives
