Last November saw Hereford Racecourse stage the inaugural ‘Richard Layton Charity Raceday’, raising funds for We Are Farming Minds, Midlands Air Ambulance & the Injured Jockey’s Fund who benefitted from a share of £51,000.
The Richard Layton Charity Raceday was named after the Bodenham farmer who ended his own life in March 2023 and was held at the racecourse on November 27.
The family of Mr. Layton were in attendance at the race meeting and were interviewed by former BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght about the impact the farmer’s passing has had, as well as their determination to provide more opportunities for those in farming who need help.
Mr. Layton’s son George said: “We want to spread the message as far and wide as we can that people need to talk, share a beer, have a laugh, and spend time with friends to keep everybody safe.
“Farming can be a very lonely career, where people spend time on tractors with no-one to talk to.
“So, we need to take opportunities whenever we can to get together with friends and talk.”
Friends of the Layton family have also been lending their support in recent months and many attended a lunch at the racecourse in support of the charities.
Sixteen tables, catering for 160 people, helped to swell the fundraising total.
The decision to choose horse racing as the method to spread charity’s message went under the title: Making Mental Health the Front Runner.
Mr. Layton’s daughter Lily said: “We are Farming Minds is a charity based here in Herefordshire that provide mental health support specifically for famers and rural people.
“They hold social events to try and counter loneliness and isolation as well as counselling sessions and other forms of very valuable support.”
Hereford Racecourse has previously held charity race days to support organisations involved with former military personnel, but this was the first time a charity from the farming world had been a chosen partner.
Hereford Racecourse general manager Camilla Esling believes the link up proved beneficial for both parties.
“I think it really helped us at the racecourse as a reminder of who our core audience really is – people who have some connection to the countryside and to farming,” said Ms Esling.
“We are Farming Minds means something very significant to the people of Herefordshire and so when people at the racecourse support the charity, they know their generosity is going to mean something to their local community.”
Building on the success of the day, the racecourse and organisers are looking to repeat the raceday in Spring 2026 and it promises to only grow on the fantastic foundations made.
Ms Esling added: “The energy and drive of the charity – and in particular, that shown by the Layton family of Marie-Louise, George and Lily – was very inspiring for everyone.
“It really resonated at a time when there are lots of challenges in the farming community, so we were very glad to be able to bring people together to help raise funds.”
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