Horse Racing

Racing doing it’s bit to support refugees as Ukrainian stable lad says “everything is on fire” in his homeland

SE Team

Published

4th March 2022

RACING as an industry has plenty of flaws, but in difficult times it is brilliant at looking after its own.

The entire sport has shown its support for Ukraine over the past week as the Russian invasion continues.

Oleg Sheyhets led up The Tin Man at Royal Ascot in 2017

Trainer John Berry ran a horse in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, the Jockey Club have made a big donation to the Red Cross and the BHA are set to investigate and clamp down on Russian investment in the sport.

It has not gone unnoticed by racing’s Ukrainian workforce, of whom there are 28 registered members of staff in a variety of roles around the country.

Among them is Oleg Sheyhets, travelling head lad to trainer Chris Wall who has been watching the unfolding tragedy from his home in Newmarket.

It is 20 years to the day that Sheyhets, 38, arrived in the UK, unable to speak a word of English but hungry to make a living in the racing industry.

He went on to work for James Fanshawe, Charlie Appleby and Martyn Meade, and he has looked after some top-notchers, including leading sprinter The Tin Man.

But right now all he can think about is the situation back home, with his parents stuck in their village which is around 50 miles outside of the capital Kyiv.

While it remains relatively quiet there, bar a convoy of Russian tanks moving through earlier in the week, there has been fierce fighting in the nearby city of Poltava.

Sheyhets said: “When I’m not working I’m glued to the news or my phone to try and get updates.

“My family who are there are seeing it all with their own eyes. It’s terrifying and people still can’t believe what Putin has done.

Gee, this is such an admirably genuine mare. #TurnOfPhrase &@FMcmanoman did us proud again (plus carried the Ukrainian livery with distinction) in a race @WolvesRaces with, unusually, two dead-heats: she was in a 4-way photo finish for second (dead-heat, head, dead-heat). pic.twitter.com/RC6zgppkuQ

— John Berry (@JohnWathenBerry) February 28, 2022

“You couldn’t get two closer nations. We have family in Russia, the Russians have family in Ukraine, we would never want to fight with one another.

“Speaking to my mum, it doesn’t sound like there is going to be much left of Ukraine.

“Buildings are being destroyed, everything is on fire, they’re blowing up roads and bridges. They don’t care what they hit with their missiles.

“The Russian soldiers have been running out of food and have been robbing shops. It’s a terrible situation.

“My parents are as safe as they can be. My dad is 58 and will probably have to fight, and my mum won’t want to leave without him.”

He continued: “Chris is a brilliant boss and is a very caring man, he has been great, Racing Welfare have been in touch and have offered their support.

“Racing is a very special sport and the support myself and other Ukrainians have been getting has meant a lot.

“There are quite a few Ukrainian stable staff here, most of them have been here for a long time.

“We all talk quite a lot and have been talking about what is going on back home. It is a worrying time for all of us.”

Punters can do their bit to raise money for Ukrainian refugees affected by the crisis.

You will be able to donate to the Red Cross appeal at Jockey Club racecourses, including at the Cheltenham Festival.

The National Association of Racing Staff have started raising cash, while trainers Jamie Osborne and Alan King are supporting their Ukrainian staff members.

These are dark times, but you are reminded of just how special a sport racing can be when it comes together like it has over the past 10 days.

In this article:difficulttimes, itis, russianinvasion