Visit to Seven Barrows one of the highlights, as racing gets behind World Autism Acceptance Week

Nicky Henderson is among those opening their doors when racing plays it part during World Autism Acceptance Week.

The Autism In Racing company has long championed neurodiversity on the racecourse, setting up autism friendly racedays and driving the installation of sensory rooms at tracks up and down the country.

But for 2026, Autism In Racing founder Bobby Beevers was keen to go the extra mile to shine a light on what remains a hidden disability.

Starting on Monday, a week-long set of events is planned, with one of the highlights being a visit to Seven Barrows on Tuesday in conjunction with the charity Parenting Special Children.

Beevers said: “World Autism Acceptance Week kicks off on Monday, it’s something we’ve always supported with autism friendly days at racecourses, but this year I wanted to do something more across the week and spoke to people about my ideas.

“We’ve got four events lined up and on Tuesday we’re going to Nicky Henderson’s in the morning alongside a charity near Lambourn and the idea is we can have a walk around Seven Barrows, meet Nicky and see some of his top horses.

“On the same day, alongside York Inspirational Kids in York we’re going to spend the day at New Beginnings and there’s some activities planned there.

“The Wednesday sees our first-ever autism friendly day at Sedgefield, which is completely fully booked, and then on the Friday we’ll be at the Lambourn Open Day.

“On that particular morning we’ll be making Nick Scholfield’s yard autism friendly and will be converting one of the boxes in his yard into a sensory stable, while in the afternoon we’ll have our mobile sensory unit at the big field.”

Formed in 2021, Autism In Racing counts William Buick – whose son Thomas is autistic – as one of its ambassadors and sets about not only accommodating for autistic people on racedays but also educating racing from within about the opportunities the sport can provide.

Beevers hopes the planned events can help push this mission statement and added: “It’s about driving awareness and acceptance and to highlight autism is out there. It’s important to get the message out that if you are autistic, there is a place for you in racing in some way, shape or form.

“It’s a hidden disability and it’s important we strive to do everything we can to raise awareness.”