Peckham pupils get to savour world of horses at the home of the Epsom Derby

A group of Peckham students took full advantage of a programme to give schools more access to horses by taking in the sights and sounds of Epsom Downs racecourse.

The home of the world-famous Derby was much-appreciated by the youngsters from Harris Academy, who were the first to take part in the Riding A Dream Academy’s Regional Week.

It is a project designed to broaden access to the equestrian world by taking the academy out to communities and schools, and is aimed at young people aged 14-18.

None of the Peckham Road school party had any experience of racing or working with horses, but had the chance to ride for the first time and look after five horses from the British Racing School.

They also visited Pat Phelan’s racing yard, undertook media training with ITV’s Oli Bell and learned about the history of Epsom Downs and the Derby’s status as the world’s most prestigious flat race.

Charlotte Evans, assistant principal at Harris Academy, said, “The beauty, majesty and therapeutic impact of horses is something so often not experienced when living in an inner city, and we are so very pleased that we have been able to expand our students’ experiences – ones that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

Khadijah Mellah, in whose name the academy was set up after she became the first British Muslim woman to win a UK horse race, said: “Peckham is where I grew up, so I am so pleased that a school from my neighbourhood has been the first to take part in this new initiative for the academy.

“It has been great to see the students bond with the horses and find out that, no matter where you come from, there is a place for everyone within racing.”

Pictured top: The happy party from the Harris Academy (Picture: Riding A Dream Academy)