We are delighted to announce the panel for the upcoming Women in Racing (WiR) event, “Wellbeing & Welfare: Human & Equine,” hosted by Godolphin at Dalham Hall Stud on Friday 13th June.
Five inspirational women will lead an engaging discussion on key topics including mental health, work-life balance, career progression, maternity, and menopause. The panel will explore how the racing industry can more effectively support, retain, and empower its female workforce.
Meet the Panel:
Lucy Attwood
Organisation Consultant and Coach
A values-driven leader with extensive experience in people strategy, individual and team development and coaching. particularly in the private sector and sports.
In 2024 I led the development of a long-term workforce strategy for British horseracing. I have held numerous leadership roles in human resources, as well as practicing as a coach and therapist and consultant in a variety of settings.
Prior to that I was the Head of the Human Resources function at Godolphin for ten years, during a period of significant transformation, My earlier career includes various HR management roles across fintech, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and pre-clinical research.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, I hold a BSc in Psychology and several professional qualifications including therapeutical counselling, and organisational development.
Human development and wellbeing has been at the heart of my professional life, and I have sought to create environments where people can thrive.
I have held previous positions as a Trustee Board Member for the charity Suffolk Rape Crisis. I have a lifelong passion for horses and compete my own horse in dressage as well as being a fan of all types of equestrian and other sport.
Dawn Goodfellow
Dawn joined Racing Welfare as Chief Executive in 2015 from the Northern Racing College, where she had been CEO for the previous 8 years. Prior to that Dawn had been CEO of two different educational charities that specialised in creating awareness of rural Britain as a living and working environment.
On her work at Racing Welfare, Dawn comments “It is a privilege to work for an organisation that seeks to help people through the physical and mentally demanding challenges of the industry and live happy and sustainable lives”.
Dawn is passionate about both the personal and professional development of colleagues and helping people to reach their goals. Dawn has been a working single parent and is now a working grandparent, with the challenges and opportunities that provides!
Dena Merson
Dena, founder of Simply Racing, has extensive experience in coaching and mentoring in racing, working with individuals, boards and stakeholders across the sport. She devised and developed the original Women in Racing mentoring programme and more recently the Racing Home Programme.
A former Managing Director at Credit Suisse, Dena had a breeding and bloodstock business before starting her own executive coaching practice working with leaders in the City and focusing on working with women to develop the skillset, mindset and self-belief they need to thrive. She hopes to bring the lessons learned from her varied careers to the panel discussion.
Harriet Rochester
Instagram: @age.like.a.badass
With over 25 years in communications across British racing and the wider equestrian world, I’ve led major campaigns focused on horse welfare, including designing National Racehorse Week and being a central part of the team behind HorsePWR. I’m also a former committee member of Women in Racing and served on the Diversity in Racing Steering Group.
I’m equally passionate about human wellbeing. As the founder of @age.like.a.badass, I’m on a philanthropic mission to build a community for women 40+ that champions strength, vitality, and ageing with purpose. I’m a firm believer that muscle is medicine, and an advocate for strength training as a foundation not just for longevity, but for showing up as your best self – physically, mentally, and professionally.
The Women in Racing Wellbeing and Welfare event brings together my two favourite topics: welfare and wellbeing, for both horses and humans. I hope to inspire others to take charge of their next chapter by seriously investing in their strength and vitality and to age with power, connection, and humour.
Simone Sear
‘Simone Sear is a certified Health & Wellbeing Coach, Workplace Wellbeing Consultant, and qualified Counsellor with over 25 years’ experience helping individuals and organisations build resilience, manage stress, and improve wellbeing. She spent 15 years delivering and leading welfare initiatives in British horseracing and was awarded the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Community Award in 2020 for her impact on industry wellbeing.
With a background in health research and a passion for preventative, people-centred support, Simone now runs her own coaching and consultancy practice and works as a Diabetes Prevention Practitioner for the NHS. She’s excited to be part of this important conversation and is looking forward to connecting with others who share a commitment to supporting women and wellbeing in racing.’
WiR lead for the event, Cheryl Caves said “This important event brings together voices from across the industry to shine a spotlight on the vital issues affecting women working in racing today. With wellbeing and welfare – both human and equine – at the heart of the conversation, the panel aims to inspire meaningful change and continued progress within the sport.”
Visit our Events page to book your place.
