Patients, families, and the team at St Leonard’s Hospice in York experienced an unforgettable afternoon thanks to a surprise visit organised by New Beginnings, a charity dedicated to providing second careers for retired racehorses, who are partners with York Racecourse.
Two gentle and much-loved equine ambassadors of the nearby racecourse, Nico and Poppy, made a special appearance in the h gardens, sparking joy, laughter, and heartfelt conversations among all who met them.
As the horses entered the garden, the reaction from patients was instant, smiles, laughter, prompting many emotional moments.
Ria Clark, from St Leonard’s:
Having Nico and Poppy here was a real privilege and gave patients something memorable to share with their families, sparking lots of lovely conversations and memories about horses and horseracing.
We’re so grateful to New Beginnings and York Racecourse for organising such a special afternoon for our patients, visitors and team.
The visit meant a great deal to everyone, and we’d like to thank all involved for making it happen.
Many patients spoke of their love for horses, their memories of racedays, and the comfort of simply being close to such gentle animals.
Shaun Freer, a patient at the hospice:
My friends and I love the horses, and we get to as many race meetings as we can.
Today has been great. It’s meant a lot to me to see them here.
Some visitors reached out to stroke muzzles, others simply sat nearby, enjoying their calming presence. What began as a short visit turned into a deeply therapeutic and impactful experience, with patients and families still talking about it long after the clip-clop of hooves receded
Nico, known during his racing career as Nearly Caught, and Poppy are two of New Beginnings’ most trusted ambassador horses. Nico, now retired from racing, plays an important role in community engagement, attending events at racecourses, schools, care homes, and hospices.
Ambassadors like Nico and Poppy are specially selected for their gentle nature and ability to connect with people. Their visits bring comfort to those facing life’s toughest challenges, while also educating the public about the useful life of a racehorse beyond the track.
Kevin Atkinson, a founder of New Beginnings with his wife, Pam, said:
It was incredibly moving to see the joy Nico and Poppy brought to everyone at St Leonard’s.
We believe in giving retired racehorses a purposeful second career, and days like today show just how powerful that connection between people and horses can be.
Pam summed up the significance of the visit:
This is what it’s all about. Seeing the joy on people’s faces, hearing their stories, and knowing Nico and Poppy brought some light into their day—it reminds us why we do what we do. These horses aren’t just retired; they’re repurposed, and they still have so much to give.
- This special visit is part of York Racecourse’s wider community engagement efforts and commitment to supporting wellbeing initiatives across the region. It also reflects the racing industry’s evolving approach to racehorse aftercare and its desire to give back
- About New Beginnings Charity – The charity’s guiding principle is simple yet profound:
- “Life past the post – people help horses and horses help people.”
- Key features of the charity’s work include:
- Individualised retraining plans for each horse
A ‘wind-down’ period to allow physical and mental recovery
Permanent loan schemes to ensure horses always have a safety net
Support for the RoR Vulnerable Horse Scheme
A focus on education, welfare, and community outreach - Horses are never sold. Instead, they are placed on long-term loan to carefully matched homes, with New Beginnings retaining lifetime responsibility. This model provides stability for both horses and adopters.
- The charity also runs open days, events, and therapeutic visits as part of its commitment to raising awareness of ex-racehorse aftercare and the many ways horses can benefit human wellbeing.
