About The Elston Support Your Local Air Ambulance Race At Goodwood

4/6/2026

A group of seven people standing outdoors on a green lawn for a charity event. In the center stands a jockey dressed in light blue and white racing silks, white breeches, and tall black riding boots, holding a matching blue and white helmet and a whip. To the jockey's left, three women pose: two wearing black jackets and t-shirts representing the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, and one in a bright red t-shirt for KSS Air Ambulance Charity paired with a long, patterned skirt. To the jockey's right stand two more women: one in a red Air Ambulance Northern Ireland t-shirt with a patterned midi skirt, and another in a bright yellow Wiltshire + Bath Air Ambulance t-shirt with a colorful, floral skirt. On the far right stands a man in a navy blazer, red patterned tie, beige trousers, and a fedora hat. In the background, part of a white structures and signage featuring the word

For the second year running, we are proud to be supporting the "Elston: Support Your Local Air Ambulance" race at Goodwood Racecourse at 5.20pm on Sunday 7th June 2026 - as part of the Goodwood Family Race Day.

A personal reason why

A note from our Founder and Managing Director Henry Cobbe on why Elston is backing the Elston Support Your Local Air Ambulance race at Goodwood Racecourse:

"In 2023, after a major accident, I was rescued by an Air Ambulance and airlifted to hospital. It's fair to say, they saved my life. Whilst this was a tragic life-changing day for me, it is sadly a regular task for the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) teams around the country.

They are there to support us in times of extreme emergency. So we should support them. And the best way I can show my own personal thanks is to help fund-raise and raise awareness of these important charities, so they can carry on giving that critical care in challenging and tragic circumstances.

You pray you never need them, but if you do, you need them quick."

Why we want to help raise funds and awareness?

Air Ambulance charities are not national, with no central source of funds. Each regional or county-based air ambulance charity is reliant on its own fundraising. This is why our message is to "support your local air ambulance", wherever you live in the country.

Why air ambulances are so important in the equestrian world?

As anyone in the equestrian world will know, air ambulances can have a critical role to play with any major injuries out in the countryside where riders can find themselves a long way from the nearerst road. So it is very fitting to be partnering with Goodwood Racecourse - a leading equestrian venue - to support this message.

How did the Elston Support Your Local Air Ambulance race start?

Henry Cobbe has been a regular racegoeer at Goodwood, and after he was rescued by an air ambulance in 2023, he approached Goodwood Racecourse in 2025 to see if they would want to partner on this idea to raise awareness and funds for air ambulance charities. The idea was met enthusiastically by the team at Goodwood, and we are really grateful for them for all they do to make this happen. Between us, we make sure there is no cost to the charities for this fundraising activity, so that they get the full benefit of all donations and awareness.

What is Elston?

Elston is the business founded by Henry Cobbe in 2012 to provide research, analytics and insights to investment managers and financial advisers.

When did the Elston Support Your Local Air Ambulance race first start?

The inaugural Support Your Local Air Ambulance race was in 2025, and so 2026 marks the second year for this event.

Which air ambulance charities are in focus for this event?

Once again, we have invited four air ambulance charities to be represented:

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, who are local to Goodwood, and who this year, have been invited by Goodwood to fundraise on the day round the enclosures
Hampshie and Isle of White Air Ambulance
Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

Why are there so many air ambulance charities?

Air Ambulances cover the nation, but are not a nationwide service. They are regionally structured and funded, with an Air Ambulance charity operating a one or more helicopters in a particular region.

There are 21 independent air ambulance charities in the UK, which between them operate more than 37 specially equipped helicopters.

Whilst the paramedics are NHS and part of the emergency services, the helicopters, crews, bases and maintenance teams are operated and funded by each air ambulance.

They receive no regular Governement funding and relly on donations from the public and grants to keep operating.

How to find out more about Air Ambulance charities across the UK

Air Ambulance UK is a charity with a coordinating role to support, champion, and coordinate the various air ambulance charities. But each air ambulance charity is responsible for its own fundraising efforts.
To find out more, please visit https://www.airambulancesuk.org/

Results of the 2026 Elston Support Your Local Air Ambulance Handicap stakes
Congratulations to Rare Change (Owner: Mrs J Woods and Mr K Lawrence; Trainer: Richard Hughes; Jockey: Finley Marsh) on winning the Elston Support Your Local Air Ambulance handicap stakes on Sunday 7 June 2026 at 5.20pm at Goodwood Racecourse.
It was great to be raising funds and awareness of the importance of Air Ambulances in the UK.
Note: all sponsorship and fundraising costs for this race event have been covered by Elston and Goodwood and volunteers so that all money raised goes to the charity you choose.

A group of six people standing together behind a stone table with a clear glass trophy bowl on it, posing in front of an Elston branded backdrop at Goodwood Racecourse. Four of the individuals wear branded t-shirts representing different regional air ambulance charities, including Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Wiltshire + Bath Air Ambulance, and KSS Air Ambulance Charity. Two men in the center are dressed in business casual attire, including jackets and ties.

Asset Allocation Research for UK Advisers