Ready, Willing and Enable!

The Bridge of Hope - Backed by Champions.

Equine Royalty Enable poses with Frankie Dettori (right) and John Gosden (middle).

The Resume Foundation is honoured to announce that equine superstar Enable is officially endorsing The Bridge of Hope.

Seeking her 12th win on the trot in this week’s Darley Yorkshire Oaks, The Cartier Horse of the Year 2017, Champion Older Horse 2018 and dual winner of the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, has joined fellow champions Altior, Richard Johnson and Nicky Henderson, who pledged their support earlier this year, as a champion of The Bridge of Hope.

Originally launched in March 2018 by co-founders George Freeman and James Fellowes, The Bridge of Hope operates through Inclusive Employment charity The Resume Foundation and focusses specifically on providing hope to those who have tumbled in life with a meaningful new career in horse racing; primarily in stables, but also stud farms, racecourses and numerous other support and administrative roles. 

Over 25 referral charities, including Prince’s Trust, Help For Heroes and Key4Life are already partnering to provide new untapped “talent pools” as the project seeks to help those who have suffered a serious setback in life – be it injury, disability, refugee status, homelessness, crime, debt, addiction or mental illness – as well as help to address the serious staff shortage crisis within horse racing.

George Freeman, co-founder of The Bridge of Hope and MP for Mid Norfolk, said: “This project - giving people who’ve had a tumble in life a leg up to a second chance - was inspired by my father Arthur whose career as a top jump jockey was ended with a head injury a year after won the Grand National, and the familiar spiral of depression, alcohol, gambling, bankruptcy and a total life collapse 10 years later.

It was my father’s story, combined with that of my childhood friend James - whose life and career also took a tumble through undiagnosed bipolar disorder - which inspired us to create The Bridge of Hope. With wonderful support from the BHA, Jockey Club, British Racing School, Racing Welfare, NARS amongst others we will have our first eight graduates working in stables across the UK by September, following specialist training at the National Horseracing College. In due course we will challenge other industries to follow racing’s pioneering leadership in Inclusive Employment.”

Due to the very generous support of The Racing Foundation and Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust amongst others, over 50% of the funding target has been achieved; indeed all of the overhead and administration is now covered for three years, ensuring that all additional funds raised going forward are spent on education/training and to expand the number of people that can be helped.

Nigel Payne, Administrator of the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, added: "We were approached by James Fellowes to see if the Trust would support The Bridge of Hope’s concept. They have now linked with the Resume Foundation, thereby affording them Charitable Status. As Trustees of Peter’s Charitable Trust our first question is always “Would this be something Peter would like to support?” 

“Peter was a particularly kind and compassionate man and would most certainly want to support any cause that assists in rehabilitating individuals and rebuilding their lives and careers. The racing industry has major staff shortage issues and we knew that once The Bridge of Hope became established and known it would capture the imagination of the industry, and this has happened. We are very pleased we made the financial commitment and will continue to support the programme.”

This autumn the Resume Foundation is establishing regional “Hubs” for The Bridge of Hope to further promote inclusive employment in racing.  The first “Head Quarters Hub”  has been confirmed at The Racing Centre in Newmarket where The Bridge of Hope will focus on working in the mental health and neuro-diversity area, alongside The Suffolk Community Foundation and existing regional charities, to support people with “Hidden Illness” back into jobs in the area and beyond.

The legendary champion jockey Frankie Dettori was quick to endorse The Bridge of Hope having bounced back from his own challenges and setbacks, saying: “I wholeheartedly support everything The Bridge of Hope is doing. I have had more than my share of ups and downs and a project to give people who have taken a tumble in life the chance to bounce back in the Sport of Kings, gets my full support. 

“Enable is the best horse I have ever ridden and now I hope she can provide new hope and inspiration to many..

Lord Grimthorpe, Racing Manager for Prince Khalid Abdullah, owner and breeder of Enable, added: 

“We are delighted that Enable can help to raise the profile of such an amazing cause as The Bridge of Hope and the combination of her undoubted brilliance, strength of personality and of course her name, make Enable the perfect choice.

For more information or to offer your support visit: www.thebridgeofhope.co.ukor email [email protected]