Del Mar Introduces ‘Paddock Pals’ Program for Young Racing Fans
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has launched a new initiative aimed at giving young fans an insider’s experience of horse racing. The ‘Paddock Pals’ program will provide children and their families exclusive paddock access on race days beginning Saturday, July 19.
The program will feature Del Mar staff randomly selecting youngsters from the crowd to accompany them into the paddock before selected races throughout the summer season.
These young “Pals” will experience Thoroughbred racing up close — observing horses being saddled, listening to conversations between owners and trainers, and interacting with jockeys in their distinctive silks before they mount.
Participants will receive official jockey goggles as a keepsake before returning to their seats to watch “their” race unfold.
“Lots of racing fans will tell you that they first learned to love the game in their youth when they went racing with their parents, family or friends,” said Del Mar’s president Josh Rubinstein. “We want kids throughout the summer to not only enjoy the general experience at Del Mar, but also have a unique encounter that they can carry forward forever.”
Rubinstein credited Aron Wellman, head of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners ownership group, with inspiring the initiative.
The program represents Del Mar’s latest effort to cultivate the next generation of racing enthusiasts by providing memorable, behind-the-scenes experiences at the track.
Del Mar’s 31-day summer meet runs through Sunday, September 7.
