ABU DHABI // The thoroughbred horse racing stable founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid is to invest more than Dh1 million in a British school located in the town considered the birthplace of the sport.
Godolphin has teamed up with Newmarket Academy, a secondary school and sixth form in Newmarket in Suffolk, which is the location of one of Godolphin’s two stables.
The five-year Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project includes a £250,000 (Dh1.2 million) investment in the school.
Managed by Racing To School, a charity that supports young people’s learning and development, the project will offer students guidance about career opportunities.
Nick Froy, the school’s principal, thanked Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Godolphin for supporting the initiative.
“The partnership represents Newmarket Academy’s commitment to placing itself at the heart of the community,” said Mr Froy.
Hugh Anderson, managing director for Godolphin in the UK and Dubai, said: “This is an exciting new partnership for both Godolphin and the Academy which will boost education and employment opportunities among young people in Newmarket.”
John Blake, a representative of the Racing To School charity, said: “The racing industry offers wonderful variety, opportunities and challenges for young people to improve their skills and plot their later careers.”
Newmarket is home to a famous racecourse, the UK’s National Horseracing Museum and more than 50 horse-breeding stables.
The programme begins this week with a Maths In Action activity days at the racecourse and followed by Newmarket Academy students’ participation in the Dubai Future Champions Education Week in the first week of October.
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