Racing With Pride rainbow silks to make turf debut at York Racecourse
It's in recognition of Pride Month and the LGBT+ community in horseracing
Rainbow silks will be carried for the first time at a British racecourse when a jockey
They'll be worn by five year old filly Zim Baby and jockey Jim Crowley, in The British EBF Racing With Pride Fillies’ Handicap (3pm) at York Racecourse on Friday (10 June, 2022).
With full support from Zim Baby’s owners the unique Silks have been transferred to Fosnic Racing from Racing With Pride specifically for this Friday’s race, which has been named in support and recognition of Pride Month and the LGBT+ community in horseracing.
Zim Baby’s trainer Mick Appleby, a prominent member of the LGBT+ community in racing, commented: “It’s good that racing is welcoming everybody into the sport, recognising different genders and orientations – welcoming people into racing with open arms.
“Zim Baby is going to be running in the ‘Racing With Pride’ silks. I’d like to think she’ll run a good race. It would be a bonus if she can win. We’ve just freshened her up, so she’s in good order and hopefully she’ll run a decent race.”
The silks were created from a competition run by Racing With Pride, to design silks that will increase visibility of LGBT+ support within racing and on racecourses last year.
Three designs were chosen by the Racing With Pride committee and were then put to a public vote.
Partners Katie Doyle and Ellen Lincoln, part of the Racing With Pride community, won and Great British Racing captured them seeing the silks being manufactured at Allertons.
Chairman of Racing With Pride, David Letts added: "Racing With Pride is delighted to partner again with the British EBF and York Racecourse to celebrate Pride month. This visible activation is an important signal of support for the LGBTQ+ community, both within racing and beyond, and publicises the year-round commitment from these organisations to our work. It is an exciting bonus to have the Racing With Pride silks in use on the day and huge thanks go to Zim Baby’s connections for their support."
Further activation celebrating Pride month will also be taking place around York Racecourse across its two-day fixture, with the Pride rainbow flag set to fly from the top of the grandstand on both days.
Players from The York Templars an inclusive rugby union team will also be at the racecourse on Friday.
William Derby, Chief Executive of York Racecourse commented: “We are very grateful for the British European Breeders’ Fund’s support in enabling this special celebration of the nationwide Pride Month within racing and at York.
"We are delighted to be an active and enthusiastic supporter of Racing With Pride and to welcome all members of our community to York for everyone to enjoy. We wish Zim Baby and Jim Crowley, Mick Appleby, Fosnic Racing and everyone at Racing With Pride the very best of luck in the race.”