By Sneha Kute
There are some days that linger long after they end, remembered not only for the sights and sounds but for the way they make you feel.
Our Autism in Racing day at Bath Racecourse was one of those days, where the families found a place where they could truly belong. The thunder of horses’ hooves met the laughter of children.
Bath Racecourse had kindly opened their executive rooms to us, transforming them into a sanctuary, a quiet space where children could colour, play, and relax, and where parents could exhale knowing they were understood. From the moment we stepped inside, it was clear this was going to be special.
One parent put it simply, and beautifully: “It may only be a room, but for us it changes everything. Without it, we couldn’t enjoy the day in the same way.”
That one sentence carried the heart of what Autism in Racing is all about.
Families gathered around tables filled with crayons, activity sheets, and soft toys with their conversations flowing easily. The atmosphere was both calm and joyful, a balance that can feel so hard to find at large events, yet here it seemed effortless. In one corner, laughter rang out as children proudly showed off their drawings.
Among the children who lit up the room was Owen, who never travels without his two closest friends, Sneaky the snake and Rex the T-Rex plushie. Together, the three of them made quite a team, and they settled into the quiet space as though it had been designed with them in mind. Owen coloured with fierce concentration, Sneaky coiled loyally beside him while Rex kept watch. The sight was as heart-warming as it was ordinary, and that was the beauty of it, ordinary moments made possible by extraordinary care. Later, Owen posed with Rex in his hands, grinning from ear to ear.
Because Owen was content, his family could venture outside to the courtyard and lawns, joining the crowd to watch the horses thunder past, dipping back into the quiet room whenever the day became overwhelming. That rhythm, moving between excitement and calm, repeated for many families. It meant no one had to choose between enjoying the races and keeping their children comfortable. They could do both, together, in harmony.
Bath Racecourse had not just hosted a race day; they had made it possible for families who might once have felt excluded to take part, fully and joyfully. There was beauty in watching the races themselves: sleek horses charging down the track, the cheer of the crowd rising like a wave, the kind of spectacle that draws people back again and again. But this time, there was something new woven into the tradition, inclusivity.
The gratitude in the room was unspoken but palpable. A small sanctuary had opened the racecourse to them in a way that felt profound. And for us, at Autism in Racing, that is the essence of what we do, not to change racing, but to make sure its circle is wide enough to include everyone.
As the day drew to a close and families packed away toys, colouring sheets, and the occasional plush dinosaur, there was a glow in the air, the unmistakable feeling of a day well spent. Owen left with Sneaky and Rex tucked securely under his arms, his crayons packed away but his joy radiating still. His smile will stay with us for a long time, a reminder of why these small adjustments matter so deeply.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Rosy and Sneha, whose thoughtful organisation made the day run so smoothly, and to Bath Racecourse for their generosity and kindness in giving us the space we needed. Together, they showed how simple acts, a room, a welcome, a little consideration, can create lasting memories and open doors for so many.
Autism in Racing exists for days like this: days when families feel safe, when children are free to laugh and play, and when the thrill of the racecourse is something everyone can share. Bath reminded us that racing, at its best, is about more than horses and crowds. It is about community, kindness, and belonging. And in the quiet room, in the laughter of families, in the smile of a child holding a toy dinosaur, we found all three.
