Why your Great Big Ride fundraising mattersEvery mile creates
opportunity
The Great Big Ride helps Autism In Racing create autism-friendly racedays, community experiences, mentoring and career pathways for autistic and neurodivergent people.
DragonBet Match Funding Challenge
£207 raised
towards a £5,000 DragonBet match funding target
Every donation helps create autism-friendly racedays, mentoring, community experiences and long-term accessibility across racing.
Donate nowWhat happens when you fundraise?
Every donation helps turn racing into a place where autistic and neurodivergent people can feel prepared, welcomed and included.
Families can attend with confidence
Quiet spaces, sensory support, friendly hosts and clear information.
Community ExperiencesChildren can thrive in the right environment
Oliver’s story shows what confidence can look like when support is in place.
MentoringNeurodivergent talent can find pathways into racing
From work experience to industry introductions and future careers.
The Shaw Family Story
Autism-friendly racedays can make the difference between staying home and feeling able to enjoy a day at the races.
Preparation, reassurance, quieter spaces and a welcoming team help families arrive knowing what to expect and where to go if they need support.
Watch on YouTubeWhat can happen in the right environment
“It honestly was the best few hours. I’ve never seen Oliver like that before. It’s amazing what can be done in the right environment.”
At Newmarket Pony Academy, Oliver was able to meet the ponies, build confidence and enjoy the experience at his own pace within a calm, welcoming and supportive setting.
Your fundraising helps create more moments like this for autistic children, young people and their families.
Read Oliver’s StoryMentoring Case Files
From work experience placements and bloodstock careers to practical employment pathways and creative entrepreneurship, mentoring helps autistic and neurodivergent people build confidence, connections and opportunities within racing.
From interest to real work experience
Ethan completed two days of work experience at Ascot Racecourse, gaining first-hand insight into the racing industry and supporting the team with ticketing, badges, labels and barcodes.
Preparation beforehand helped reduce uncertainty, including what to expect, where to go, timings, clothing and the working environment.
Bloodstock, nominations and auctioneering pathway
“The Autism in Racing Mentoring Programme has given me the confidence and real-world experience I needed to move forward. Shadowing Oliver St Lawrence - a leading figure in bloodstock - was genuinely transformative and opened doors to new professional connections for me. I’ve learned that reaching out, asking questions, and taking the initiative really matters. I now feel able to use my knowledge, skills, and strengths to pursue roles in nominations, bloodstock, and eventually auctioneering - an industry I’m truly passionate about.”
Grounds and practical career route
Mentoring has supported a practical route into racecourse and grounds-related experience, including placements, training and steps towards employment.
Support included racecourse placements, mentoring contacts, practical qualifications and progress towards employment within a sport environment.
From autistic artist to recognised racing creative
Marcus is an autistic artist, illustrator and animator whose passion for horses and racing has developed into a growing portfolio of commissioned equine artwork. Through Autism In Racing mentoring, Marcus has been able to build industry connections, visit racing environments and explore opportunities to combine his creative talents with his love of the sport.
“Marcus has transformed his love of horses and racing into a successful creative outlet, producing commissioned artwork and illustrations whilst continuing to build industry knowledge and connections.”
Urloxhey Stables, led by Richard Newland and his team, were instrumental in introducing Marcus and his family to Autism In Racing. Since then, Marcus and his father Mike have been supported to access racecourses, training yards and industry experiences, helping him build connections across the racing community and develop a deeper understanding of the sport.
Marcus has visited Urloxhey Stables, Ian Williams Racing, O'Neill Racing, Kim Bailey Racing and B&W Equine Vets, alongside attending Autism In Racing events including Warwick Racecourse. These experiences have given him valuable opportunities to meet industry professionals, learn more about racing behind the scenes and share his passion for both horses and art with others.
Through these connections, Marcus has also become a small shareholder in Jukebox King, trained by Kim Bailey and Mat Nichols at Thorndale Farm. Being involved with a racehorse in training has provided another meaningful way for Marcus to engage with the sport and continue building industry relationships.
Alongside developing his racing knowledge, Marcus continues to grow his self-employed artwork business, producing commissioned equine illustrations, racing artwork and creative projects inspired by the horses and people he meets along the way.
Looking ahead, Marcus hopes to continue visiting racing yards, developing industry connections and creating opportunities to engage young people through art, illustration and horse-themed creative activities.
View Marcus' Artwork
Create more routes into racing
Funds raised through the Great Big Ride help support more autistic and neurodivergent people into confidence, industry experience, training and work pathways across racing.
Fund Mentoring
Building confidence, curiosity and community
The National Stud welcomed learners from Red2Green across three community visits in partnership with Autism In Racing.
Learners spent time in a working stud environment, met the team, explored the surroundings and learned more about the horses and specialist care involved in the industry.
“A calm, patient and welcoming environment.”Read The Red2Green Story
Where your donation goes
Every donation helps create practical support, real experiences and long-term change across racing.
What we are building
Your support helps Autism In Racing continue the behind-the-scenes work needed to create lasting change.
More Autism-Friendly Fixtures
Increasing opportunities for families to attend racing with confidence.
More Community Days
Creating supported experiences for schools, groups and community organisations.
Permanent Sensory Spaces
Working with racecourses to create support that lasts beyond selected fixtures.
Every mile helps create belonging, confidence and opportunity.
Ride, walk, cycle or fundraise to help Autism In Racing create more autism-friendly racedays, mentoring, community experiences and long-term accessibility across racing.