This remarkable initiative began in 1997 when Racing Welfare contacted Score to discuss the contribution a chaplaincy presence could make to the world of Horse Racing. 

A series of meetings eventually led to Score outlining a chaplaincy plan for the industry, and to Racing Welfare agreeing to partner and support the initiative. Score advertised the post of Chaplain to Horse Racing in the Christian press, short-listed four candidates for interview, and appointed Rev Graham Locking, a Methodist minister to take on this new role.

The pioneering work which he established is based in Newmarket, and has exceeded all our expectations. Graham has thrown himself into the Racing community, showing great commitment to all levels associated with the sport. He can be found out on "the gallops" by 7:00am most mornings.

He visits stable lads & lasses as they care for the horses, speaks with owner & trainers, and visits some race meetings, perhaps travelling one way crammed in a horse box, and the other way in the comfort of a trainer's BMW! His efforts to get alongside the people of Racing to offer Christian care & compassion, genuines sensitivity, and availability, especially at times of trouble and crisis, have been really valued by many in Racing.

We are very grateful to Racing Welfare for the considerable support they continue to give to this project. We thank other bodies linked to the world of Racing who have supported Score's Horse Racing Chaplaincy initiative both in principle and financially either individually or through Racing Welfare.

The model is now well accepted in the Newmarket area, and currently Graham is working to take the pattern to other centres of Racing such as Lambourn. He is also working to identify suitable potential chaplains, training and inducting them to function as effective chaplains in other parts of the UK. Chaplaincy is also available for major events in the Racing calendar. This began at the Royal Ascot meeting in 2005, and continues at this meeting each year. A further growth point is that through an initiative that links Score and local clergy, chaplaincy is now offered at every race meeting that takes place at Ascot.