Pictures: Kilkenny jockey Danny Mullins returns to his Gowran national school to launch The Road To Racing

Multiple Grade 1 winning jump jockey Danny Mullins visited his former primary school, Gowran national school this week to launch a four-part horse racing educational video series aimed at primary school children, in conjunction with HRI Racing Juniors.

The Road To Racing primary school programme gives children the opportunity to join Danny on an educational journey through horse racing, to see what goes on behind the scenes in a racing yard, to meet the people who work there and the racehorses they look after. The children will receive a virtual riding lesson and Danny will chat about his first introduction to horses, how he became a jockey, his day-to-day routine and his most memorable days on the racecourse.

Each of The Road To Racing videos are approximately five minutes long and comes with a corresponding worksheet for both junior and senior classes to help put the children’s learnings into practice.

The final worksheet gives pupils the chance to design a set of racing silks for Danny. Two winning classes will have their racing silks produced – one set for junior students and one set for senior students. Pupils will be invited to see Danny wearing the racing silks, either on the gallops or at a racecourse. The school will also get a set of the silks to keep as a memento.

“I’m delighted to work on The Road To Racing primary school programme with Horse Racing Ireland and help in any way I can to teach the next generation about racehorses and a sport that I love," said Danny.

"We had good fun making the four-part series and I hope the children will enjoy the four videos and worksheets and learn a little bit about racing and thoroughbreds along the way. Most of my family is involved in racing, so I’m keen to share that passion with the pupils of my former primary school, Gowran National School today, and all the children who take part in the programme online.”

Participation in The Road To Racing primary school programme is free. Teachers are encouraged to register at www.goracing.ie/the-road-to-racing to receive access to the four episodes and to download the worksheets and racing silks design templates.