National Racehorse Week - Portsmouth Pop-Up

National Racehorse Week is bringing a pop-up urban racing yard to Gunwharf Quays on Saturday 29 August, from 11am to 6pm. It's part of a nationwide initiative run by Great British Racing to bring racing closer to people of all ages and backgrounds, especially in city locations. The whole point is to get people up close with racehorses, and for some, it'll be the first time they've ever been near one.

The urban racing yard format basically brings the stable to the street. You can meet racehorses, try riding like a jockey, and watch farrier and physio demonstrations. There's also a look at a racehorse's wardrobe on display. It's a hands-on way to see how these animals are looked after, from the shoes on their feet to the physio that keeps them fit.

Beyond the pop-up, the week opens up the homes of racehorses, welcoming families into their stables or fields, watching them work on the gallops and seeing them enjoy a post-work wash or even a swim. The Gunwharf event is just one part of that wider push to show the side of racing that usually stays behind stable doors.

It runs on the Waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, Saturday 29 August, from 11am to 6pm.