Who is racing's top popstar? Racing Welfare launches fundraising competition

A new singing competition titled the Furlong Factor is open for entries for members of the racing industry as part of a fundraising effort for Racing Welfare's coronavirus emergency appeal.

A winning prize of £1,500 and a luxury trip to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting is up for grabs with the competition open to solo, duet or group performers. Entries are open for members of the racing industry and singing videos must be sent to Racing Welfare via Whatsapp or email by Friday April 24.

Likely to bring plenty of entertainment during lockdown, a series of heats will then run from April 19 to May 4, with voting open for members of the public, before a grand final of the Furlong Factor on May 9.

The Tote will be offering odds for the final, with all profits going to the charity. Racing Welfare is also working with Great British Racing (GBR) and Sky Sports Racing to produce the event.

A trailer was released on Thursday showing a number of famous racing figures singing The Rembrandts' hit I'll Be There for You, made famous from the TV comedy Friends.

Racing Welfare launched the emergency appeal last week, hoping to raise £500,000 with fundraising opportunities lost due to the coronavirus outbreak. On Thursday afternoon, they had raised over £72,000.

The charity, which provides a variety of support across the industry, has reported a surge in demand for its services since the outbreak.

How to enter the Furlong Factor?

Entries must come from those working in UK horseracing either in a stud, yard, racecourse, administration, media or ancillary service or a current racehorse owner.

They must send a clip of you singing, or in a duet or group and send it to Racing Welfare's Whatsapp (07970 631170) or email (communications@racingwelfare.co.uk). The deadline is Friday April 24 and the terms and conditions can be viewed here.

Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare chief executive, said: "The lockdown has had a massive impact on racing and we are supporting more people than ever before. In the last three weeks we have seen an increase in demand for our services. We are determined to be there for everyone that needs our help. We know that racing is one big community and I very much hope that people will get involved in this initiative to support our work, and also uncover some hidden singing talent from within the sport!"

Luke Harvey will be the guest host of the Furlong Factor competition and he added: "I'm very proud to be involved in raising funds for Racing Welfare during these difficult times for racing. The industry has plenty of hidden talents from the weighing room and training ranks, to owners and stable staff and I can’t wait to see the entries flooding in."

Read more:

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