Annual Horseracing Industry conference takes place
The annual horseracing industry conference, delivered in partnership with The Racing Foundation and The Racing Post, took place on Thursday 30 September at Windsor Racecourse.
Oli Bell, Racing Presenter, hosted the event which focused on the topic Future-Proofing the Racing Industry: Protecting People & the Planet.
Leaders and organisations from across the industry came together to explore some of the main challenges facing the industry – such as workforce diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and environmental sustainability – and discussed how research can be used to help tackle them.
Russell Seymour, Chief Executive of the British Association for Sustainable Sport, and the Racing Foundation led a keynote speech tackling climate change and racing. A cross-industry group, formed by the Racing Foundation to discuss how racing could be affected by climate change in the future, inspired a Sky Sports Racing documentary and 2,500-word spread in the Racing Post. These were coordinated to be released on the day of the conference which was a carbon-neutral event.
Leading racing media also covered the conference, with the conference gaining front page headlines in the Racing Post and input into Sky Sports broadcasting.
Neil Coster, Director of Studies Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA, said "The conference now in its fourth year continues to grow and we were delighted to have contributions from both the horseracing industry and media including; the BHA, UK Tote Group, Racing Welfare, Sky Sports Racing, and the Racing Post.
“The quality of the speakers and topics were key to attracting and engaging with a large audience from the horseracing industry and, it was particularly satisfying to see three Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA graduates presenting.
“We would like to thank all of those involved in making this conference a highly enjoyable and valuable event for the horseracing sector and, we look forward to seeing the impact of the conference on decision-making going forward.”
The Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA (THIMBA) is the only course of its kind in the world. Endorsed by British racing, it is delivered in partnership with the Racing Foundation, the British Horseracing Authority, and the Horserace Betting Levy Board. This dedicated MBA prepares students for senior management and leadership roles in this exciting and competitive industry. Find out more about the programme.
In 2012 the Racing Foundation was established to oversee the distribution of funds to charitable causes within the racing and thoroughbred industry following the sale of the Tote. Since inception it has awarded £23million in grants. People, equine welfare, community engagement and environment and emerging issues are the key areas of focus in the latest strategy.