Best of British Brighton a Hit with Racing Fans

Horse racing legend Mick Fitzgerald was the special guest at the first Best of British...

Dave Rabson and David Page from key sponsors KTDA Racing, with Mick Fitzgerald

Horse racing legend Mick Fitzgerald was the special guest at the first Best of British Sporting Event of 2020. 

Held at the Malmaison Hotel in Brighton Marina, the successful event raised almost £10,000 for Rockinghorse’s hippotherapy project, a specialist equine therapy run in partnership with Chailey Heritage Foundation. 

The 100 guests, many of whom with a keen interest in horse racing, enjoyed a delicious three course lunch along with top racing tips from Mick for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. The event was generously supported by sponsors KTDA RacingRacing and co-sponsors Plumpton Racecourse, My Events Club and Star Sports. 

Mick Fitzgerald, the legendary Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winning jockey, now turned ITV racing expertalso regaled the guests with tales of his life and career, describing what a huge impact horse racing has had on his life. 

Supporting Hippotherapy 

All the funds raised during the lunch will be donated to our hippotherapy project run in partnership with Chailey Heritage Foundation. 

Chailey is a pioneering project in East Sussex, dedicated to enriching the lives of young people with complex physical disabilities and health needs. The site incorporates a special school, residential facilities, transitioning services and a care farm – including the Therapeutic Horse-riding programme, known as hippotherapy.  

Hippotherapy is a form of physiotherapy that uses the movement of a horse to support each child’s development whilst out of their wheelchair. Along with aiding pupil’s physical health, hippotherapy incorporates a fun, educational and sensory experience into a young person’s day in a unique way. 

Ryan Heal, Rockinghorse Chief Executive with David Page from KTDA Racing, the events headline sponsor

A big thank you!

Ryan Heal, Chief Executive of Rockinghorse and Best of British organiser, says: “Thanks to the generosity of our Cheltenham Festival preview guests and our sponsors, we are able to continue to support Chailey Heritage through their Therapeutic Horse-Riding programme. Currently 36 young people from the school access the equine facilities and our additional funding means that even more pupils will be able to take part in the sessions in the future.” 

Look out for news of our other Best of British event throughout the year, all raising money for much needed funds for sick and disadvantaged children in Sussex.