The British Horseracing Authority today reveals Racing Together 2009, a report highlighting the contribution that British Horseracing makes to life, society and culture in Britain.
Racing Together, the sport’s community strategy, was first launched by the Authority in 2008 to help build wider recognition of Racing’s current contribution and mark the start of work towards a more cohesive strategy for the future. In the first year the Authority has carried out an audit to measure the contribution Racing makes, highlight best practice and give recognition to existing work. The audit was carried out in partnership with Business in the Community, via an online survey and structured interview program.
Racing Together 2009 reports on some of the findings of the audit and highlights some of the fantastic projects already in place within the industry. Key findings from the audit include:
- Over 180 charity racedays are run by our 60 racecourses every year, generating at least £1.8m for charitable causes
- More than 55,000 children have developed their skills in maths, literacy and science through the Racing to School programme
- In excess of £700,000 has been raised for charity through open days at key racing centres, trainers’ yards and studs in the past 10 years
- Racecourse charitable trusts have donated over £400,000 to charitable causes in the last 6 years
As well as highlighting the work that racecourses do with charities, Racing Together 2009 highlights a host of other activities and initiatives that benefit both the local community and Racing’s people. These include:
- The Ebony Horse Club, which provides youngsters in Brixton’s Coldharbour Ward with access to horses and riding
- The West Suffolk SOS Bus, a multi-agency initiative designed to meet the needs of vulnerable people out and about in West Suffolk’s nightlife
- The Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme, which helps jockeys recognise and fulfil their potential by developing lifelong career plans
- Racehorse welfare charity Greatwood’s Horse Power, which helps children with special needs learn life skills through interaction with horses
Nic Coward, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said: “Racing Together tells of how the sport looks after its people, from the moment they enter the industry to the support that is offered beyond retirement at Oaksey House in Lambourn.
“It talks of the charity events that take place in their hundreds on racecourses and how we reach out to young people, many from inner-city areas, allowing them to experience a day at the races, and use horseracing as a tool for learning or the potential for employment.
“Racing Together demonstrates the importance of British Horseracing to the communities in which it takes place and highlights that British Horseracing has much to be proud of.”
Catherine Sermon, National Community Impact Director for Business in the Community, said: “The British Horseracing industry will benefit from BHA’s report, Racing Together. I am excited about the possibilities for the horseracing industry to further address the most pressing social issues with communities and take forward the findings of this audit.”
For further information please contact BHA Head of Public Affairs Will Lambe on 020 7152 0028 or 07816 914409 or Media Relations Manager Paul Struthers on 020 7152 0166 or 07966 590105.
29th September 2009
Notes for Editors:
The report can be downloaded from:
stage.britishhorseracing.com/resources/media/publications_and_reports/reports.asp
About the British Horseracing Authority
Launched in 2007, the British Horseracing Authority is the single, unified governing and regulatory body for British Horseracing. Its role is to ensure the continued health and successful development of the sport. It is the Authority’s responsibility to:
- provide the most compelling and attractive racing in the world
- be seen as the world leader in raceday regulation
- ensure the highest standards for the sport and participants, on and away from the racecourse
- promote the best for the racehorse and
- represent and promote the sport and the industry.
