More than 250 school children brought together at Aintree to celebrate the power of sport

More than 250 local school children swapped the classroom for the racecourse as three of the region’s biggest sporting names teamed up for a special community event at Aintree Racecourse.

The City of Sporting Excellence event returned for a second year on Thursday 26 February, uniting Aintree with Liverpool FC and Everton FC to showcase how sport can inspire ambition, teamwork and community spirit.

Year 8 pupils from schools across Liverpool were invited to the home of the Randox Grand National for a packed day of hands-on activities and behind-the-scenes insight into elite sport.

The youngsters took part in football skills sessions and team-building exercises, while also learning about the anatomy of a racehorse from leading veterinary expert Professor Chris Proudman.

They also heard about the history of the Grand National from racing historian Jane Clarke and former jockey Bob Champion, who famously won the 1981 race aboard Aldaniti.

Grand National-winning jockey Daryl Jacob, victorious on Neptune Collonges in 2012, and retired rider Aidan Colemanwere on hand in the weighing room to speak to pupils about careers in racing. Budding jockeys even had the chance to test their balance on an equiciser.

With the 2026 Randox Grand National Festival just weeks away, Aintree’s groundstaff also demonstrated how the famous fences are built, delivering a talk beside the iconic Chair obstacle.

Dickon White, North West Regional Director for The Jockey Club which runs Aintree, said Liverpool’s sporting heritage makes it the perfect place to highlight the positive impact of professional sport.

Matt Parish, CEO of LFC Foundation, said opportunities like this help provide aspirational moments for young people, while Mick King from Everton in the Community described the sight of more than 250 young people coming together at one of Merseyside’s most celebrated venues as “a sight to behold”.

With football and racing side by side for the day, the message was clear — in Liverpool, sport is about far more than what happens on the pitch or track.

Get more from Aintree Racecourse here.

Here is everything you need to know about the Opening Day of Aintree Races.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.