Jess Harper is supported by Malton Open Stable open day

Jess Harper has been helped by the charity Racing Welfare after being seriously injured in two accidents leaving her unable to work.

The 20-year-old, who works at a yard in Malton, broke her back in January 2023 when she fell from a horse.

Having made a recovery, Jess was then involved in a car crash in the following August resulting in her breaking her back for a second time.

Due to the severity of her injuries, Jess had to undergo surgery and wear braces to support her body.

Racing Welfare’s charity housing provider, Racing Homes, was able to offer Jess safe and affordable accommodation at Old Maltongate, the organisation’s property in Malton specifically for young people starting out in racing.

Jess said: “I couldn’t work due to my injuries and the sick pay wasn’t enough. I was struggling so I had to sell my car to get some money. It was really tough and I just didn’t know what to do.”

Jess said: “I would have been homeless and would have ended up going back home if it hadn’t been for Racing Welfare giving me somewhere affordable and safe to live. They’ve been brilliant and given me support to help me pay my rent and when things were really tough, they made a referral to the local food bank for me as well as giving me food vouchers.

“It’s been really tough but Racing Welfare has helped me so much. I’ve been in a bad situation but there are others who are worse off than me - I realise just how lucky I am.”

The charity also arranged physiotherapy rehabilitation for Jess, paying for her to attend sessions at the Injured Jockeys Fund rehab centre, Jack Berry House in Malton,

Racing Welfare organises the ARC Malton Open Day, which saw trainers in the area opening their yards to give visitors behind-the-scenes access to their horses and training facilities.

Despite the deluge of rain, a total of 1,028 tickets were sold, including 330 on the day itself, and it’s estimated the event has raised £10k for Racing Welfare, with the final figure still to be confirmed.

The following trainers opened their gates so visitors could meet the horses and see what a day-in-the-life entails at racing yards: Ruth Carr, Mick and David Easterby, Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey, Roger Fell and Sean Murray, Suzzanne France, Adrian Keatley, Craig Lidster, Fionn McSharry, Adrian Nicholls, Ollie Pears, John and Sean Quinn and Mike Sowersby.

Beck Edmunds, Racing Welfare Regional Community Executive, said: “We’re delighted with the success of this year’s event. Everyone involved from visitors, to trainers, to yard staff to organisers to volunteers, all had a great day and came together to share their love of the racehorse while raising vital funds for Racing Welfare, the racing industry’s human welfare charity.”

Venetia Wrigley, Racing Welfare Trustee and Malton Open Day Committee Chair, said: “I would like to thank all those supporters of Racing Welfare for coming to the Malton Open Day - despite the very dubious weather, the atmosphere was good and the yards welcomed everyone with open arms. The biggest thank you must go to the trainers who so kindly opened their yards and their staff who made all our visitors feel so welcome and answered all their questions. The highlights included John Fairley’s talk about his wonderful mare Highfield Princess and the display of her trophies, the homemade cakes and gleaming horses at Mikey Sowersby’s hidden gem of a yard, a trip with Ruth Carr on her tractor and trailer as well as the incredible facilities and banter from Richard Fahey and Robin O’Ryan at Musley Bank.”

Racing Welfare is the only charity that supports all of racing’s people - including stud, stable and racecourse staff, alongside those working in associated professions - from their recruitment right through into retirement.

The charity owns 164 units of accommodation across the UK, with a focus on providing housing for young people working in racing and those who have retired from the industry which are managed by its housing arm, Racing Homes.