BRITISH horse racing is hoping that younger spectators will hit their stride later this summer, with Cartmel one of many racecourses involved in a nationwide initiative to get more youngsters interested in the sport.

Next Saturday Cartmel Racecourse hosts its Totepool Cumbria Crystal Cup Day, the opening day of the popular ‘BBQ Meeting’, which continues on Monday July 24.

Alongside racing in the most stunning of settings, racegoers are allowed to bring their own BBQ to the course ahead of racing that day. There will also be fairground attractions for the children, with under-18s going free to the course and adult tickets starting at just £11.

While this may seem rare, it’s a little-known fact about British racing that under-18s go free to almost every British racecourse on almost every raceday.

There are more than 200 racedays taking place up and down the country over the school holidays, trying to increase participation among younger fans. Some 58 of these are family days, which offer additional activities targeted at children, like the Cartmel meeting next weekend.

A nationwide initiative, backed by Great British Racing and fronted by BBC Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox, has created a range of video content for their new website StirrUpSummer.com, including a unique ‘Guide to the Races’.

Two more family-friendly fixtures are also planned at Cartmel for later in the summer. The Totepool Cartmel Cup Day will take place on Saturday August 26 and is one of the most popular days of the year at the course, featuring a huge funfair as well as other attractions. Later that weekend is the Coral Bookmakers August Bank Holiday Monday, traditionally the final day of the season at Cartmel, with a host of traditional entertainment and a fairground on offer.

Rod Street, Chief Executive of Great British Racing, said: “Racing is a box office hit of colour and excitement and is such a brilliant day out for all the family.

“With the summer holidays just around the corner and accompanied under-18s admitted for free, there is no better time to head to your local track.”