The equine ambassador for Ascot Racecourse surprised residents, patients and staff at Thames Hospice as he made his appearance during National Racecourse Week.

During the week, which takes place between 7th-15th September, the racecourse offered members of the public the chance to see first-hand the love, care and attention that goes into looking after them.

Former racehorse, Side Glance, was taken into the community by the racecourse's charity - Ascot Racecourse Supports - to promote the week.

His first visit was to Thames Hospice in Bray where he met residents and staff before heading onto Arbour Vale Special Educational Needs School in Slough where he will meet students.  

During the visit to Thames Hospice on Tuesday, September 10, Sidney – as he is more commonly known – frequented the gardens and interacted with residents, taking pictures with excited onlookers.

Thames Hospice thanked Ascot Racecourse for ‘brightening everyone’s day’ during Side Glance’s visit to Bray.

A spokesperson from the hospice said: “We celebrated #NationalRacehorseWeek with a heart warming visit from racehorse Side Glance to the Hospice!

“Side Glance brought smiles and joy to patients, visitors and staff.
Thank you to Ascot Racecourse for brightening everyone's day!”

Sidey forms a central part of the Ascot Racecourse Supports programme to engage people in the sport of horse racing. Throughout the year he has met schoolchildren and members of the local community via a non-raceday tour programme whilst also playing a starring role in the Royal Ascot media campaign. 

Sidey also forms part of the wider Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Horses for Courses programme which invites racecourses to adopt an equine ambassador to attend racedays and provide updates to racegoers in relation to their second career activities. 

Twenty racecourses are now signed up to the programme helping to convey positive messages about the high standard of aftercare in British racing to racegoers and beyond to the wider public.

During National Racecourse Week, special events took place throughout different communities up and down the country.

Racing training yards, studs and aftercare centres opened their doors to the public to showcase the fantastic lives that these magnificent animals lead.