Let’s face it: not all of us were born to bet. And we definitely wouldn’t encourage betting as a team-building strategy. But still—there’s something about a day at the races that brings out a bit of fun, a bit of flair, and for some of us, a bit too much confidence.
Our team weekend at Ascot was never really about the horses (or the hats). It was about stepping away from the clinic, catching up as a group, and taking a moment to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together. Before we could completely relax though we had to tick the box for CPD hours with some professional development.
Then with some top learning under our belts it was over to the track. Ryan came in hot—armed with tips and a quiet confidence—and bagged two big wins in the early races. His winnings looked pretty tidy… until a misplaced £50 note had him stepping away from the action just to stay ahead (clearly someone else’s lucky day!). That didn’t stop him telling us what horses he would have won on in the later races.
From developing practitioners to developing gamblers – some of the team were shown the ropes in betting on horses and the team took their new learnings straight into the first race – with mixed results. That initial buzz of enthusiasm was quickly followed by some bold bets and, in classic rookie fashion, some equally bold losses. We’re all about evidence based at the clinic and we soon provided enough evidence that there’s no such thing as beginners luck! Dan, George and JT went hard early, only to find themselves sitting out the final races, pockets a little lighter but spirits still high(ish). Other members of the team would never let losing determine them so they continued to lose all the way to the last race 😂.
(When the fun stops, Stop)
But the day wasn’t just about wins and losses on the track and CPD. It was about pressing pause. About laughing, relaxing, and celebrating 16 years of doing what we love—treating people, helping people, and building something we’re incredibly proud of.
To give you a sense of the scale: since opening in Maidenhead, we’ve now treated over 15,000 people. That number still blows us away. But behind that stat is something more powerful—the team that makes it happen. Every practitioner, every receptionist, every person who shows up day in and day out with care, skill, and passion. This day was for them.
After the final race, we headed back to Marlow and wrapped up the evening at Piccolino, where pasta and pizza took centre stage. And of course, we couldn’t finish the night without crossing the road to Amorino Gelato for some top-tier gelato.
To my team: thank you. We’re lucky to have the crew that we do. And to our patients: we’re just as lucky to have you. You make it all worthwhile.
Here’s to more laughs, more learning, more growth, and maybe—just maybe—more cautious betting next time!
We may not have cracked the code on betting – but we’ve definitely cracked what it takes to build a great team
