The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are today pleased to announce the launch of a new Grant Scheme to support worthwhile projects involved in, and associated with, the British Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industries.
The Scheme is funded by British Horseracing’s share of the net proceeds from the sale of the Tote. The aim is to ensure the proceeds are distributed to worthwhile projects in a manner compliant with European Union State Aid regulations.
For the 2012-13 Financial Year, it has been determined that £1 million will be allocated to the Scheme.
Applications can be made for grants for a minimum of £10,000 to a maximum of £250,000.
The remainder of the Tote proceeds received from Government to date have been allocated to The Racing Foundation – to which Trustees were appointed in May 2012. A key objective for the Trustees will be to build an endowment that provides the sport with a sustainable long-term income stream for good causes.
The Scheme aims to provide funds for projects which will benefit the sport of horseracing and its associated industries in Great Britain – which annually contributes over £3 billion to the British economy.
A dedicated webpage – britishhorseracing.com/grant_scheme/ – has been launched today on the BHA website to provide details on the Scheme for potential applicants – which will include an online application form.
Applicants must meet at least one of a number of criteria, demonstrating how they would:
- Improve the facilities for horseracing’s participants and spectators and/or leaves a benefit for the wider horseracing community;
- Sustain or increase the participation in the sport through education programmes, marketing and public relations projects or other activity aimed at encouraging involvement in the sport at any level;
- Encourage youngsters to participate, experience and understand horse racing;
- Improve the education and training of participants, including jockeys, stable staff and racehorse trainers, and meets their training needs in identified areas of concern;
- Grow and diversify the fanbase of the sport, for example, through the use of new media, education and new technology;
- Improve the communities in which horseracing plays a significant part;
- Assist in the improvement of breeds of horses; or
- Benefit the health and wellbeing of the sport’s participants.
As the funds for the Scheme will be provided by Government, the projects must also comply with European State Aid rules. Applicants are provided with guidance on these regulations on the Scheme webpage.
Applications will shortly open for the first cycle of the 2012-13 Scheme and will close on Monday 29th October. It is anticipated that the first successful grants will be distributed in December of this year.
Paul Bittar, Chief Executive of the BHA, said:
“The British Horseracing Grant Scheme is an exciting development, and provides for targeted funding, within State Aid rules, across a wide range of potential projects, large and small, throughout British Racing from the grassroots upwards.
“We are of the belief that this Scheme, complementing the Racing Foundation, presents a real opportunity to create meaningful legacy for the sport, and we look forward to receiving applications this autumn.”
