Racing Together Industry Day To Return In February

The Racing Together Industry Day will be held at Chester Racecourse on Feb. 8, the organisation announced on Wednesday.

The 2024 edition will take place at Chester Racecourse and will consist of a variety of speakers from both within and outside the racing industry. Conor McGinn, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock will open the day and will be joined by speakers from the sports of rugby and cricket. This year the event will be kindly supported by Gallagher's Insurance, who will be exploring the ideas of corporate sponsorship in the Community Engagement Space. For tickets–currently £75 until Jan. 12 when the price increases to £85–and to find out more, please visit the Racing Together website.

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National Racehorse Week, In Third Year, Deemed A Success

The third annual National Racehorse Week, from Sept. 9-17 in the UK, has been deemed a success after a record number of open days and community events, Great British Racing (GBR), who funds the initiative alongside the Racing Foundation and Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), announced on Tuesday.

Over 15,000 free places were made available across the seven days across the country for the public to come and experience a day in the life of a racehorse. From training facilities and studs, to aftercare and rehoming centres, 209 different events took place showcasing the care and attention racehorses receive every day. The week provided a platform to create a lasting impact on those who are not familiar with racing or who don't have the opportunity to get close to a horse in everyday life.

In research undertaken after the week had finished, 94% of people said the experience had left them with a better understanding about and a positive impression of welfare. And 92% of attendees who were new to racing said their opinion had been positively changed about the lives racehorses lead.

There were also a total of 60 dedicated community events focused on outreach, a 300% uplift from last year. These events were supported by Racing Together and Racing to School with more than 3,000 people from schools, charities, urban equestrian centres and community groups getting involved with behind-the-scenes access to racing facilities.

The events included:

 

  • Paul Nicholls hosted a special visit for Dame Kelly Homes Trust beneficiaries, NHS and Emergency Service workers
  • Ian Williams hosted members of the RMF Group, an organisation that offer industry focused training courses to ex-offenders, veterans, the homeless, and residents who are long-term unemployed
  • Jo Foster took racehorse Sigurd to eight community events including schools, care homes and to charities like Mind and dementia groups
  • Aftercare centres including New Beginnings, HEROS, BTRC, Greatwood and Yorkshire retraining and rehoming centre took their retired racehorse ambassadors out to schools and care homes
  • Dan Skelton and Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero hosted children with serious illnesses from the Barrie Well's Trust Box4Kids initiative
  • Godolphin, Ben Case and Dave Loughnane hosted urban equestrian centres including Summerfield Stables from Birmingham, Park Lane Stables from London, and Park Palace Ponies from Liverpool.

 

Rod Street, CEO Great British Racing, said, “National Racehorse Week creates a unique opportunity for the British Racing industry to unite and showcase to the public the high levels of care that our equine stars receive throughout their entire lives. It also allows racing to open its doors and welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the joy of getting close to a racehorse.

“There are so many highlights from the week, but the ones that stand out for me include the significant increase in young people attending open days this year, especially those aged between 10-14 years, and the impact we had on visitors. Our research shows that 94% of people who came to an open day now have a positive impression of equine welfare, and 92% of those who were new to racing or not regular racegoers said their opinion had been positively changed by the experience. This shows the power of what racing can achieve when it comes together.

“We must thank everyone involved in this special week for showing off the very best of British racing and hopefully helping to inspire a new generation of racing fans.”

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Racing Foundation Chief Executive Rob Hezel To Step Down

Racing Foundation Chief Executive Rob Hezel will step down from his role with the organisation to pursue a portfolio career, he announced to the RF Board on Wednesday.

Hezel, who has held his position for eight years, will remain in place until a successor is found. He was recently appointed to a non-executive role on the Industry People Board. During Hezel's tenure, over £35 million in funding has been granted by the RF to areas of racing in people training and development, equine welfare, community engagement, and environmental sustainability.

Julia Budd, Chair of the Racing Foundation, said, “Rob's departure will be a true loss to the Racing Foundation and the Board would like to pay tribute to his contribution.

“Rob has led the Foundation to have a substantial impact on the industry during almost eight years as chief executive and I would personally like to thank him for his commitment to both the industry and the Foundation. He has truly embodied the Foundation's purpose and has been a catalyst for change.

“Rob's decision to announce his plans allows for an orderly process to recruit a new Chief Executive who can evolve the organisation's strategy for the future ”

Hezel added, “Having worked to develop the Foundation and its influence across the sport, I believe it is now the right time for me personally to pursue a change of career and the right time for the Foundation to benefit from a fresh approach to its leadership.

“However, I must put on record my thanks to the fantastic Chairs with whom I have worked: Sir Ian Good, Ian Barlow and Julia Budd for their support, advice and guidance.

“I would also like to thank the Foundation's amazing Trustees who have overseen and guided our work and of course the brilliant Tansy, Rhi and Antonia without whom none of what we have achieved would have been remotely possible.”

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Rishi Persad Joins Racing Foundation’s Board Of Trustees

Rishi Persad has been appointed to the Racing Foundation Board of Trustees.

A racing broadcaster and member of the ITV Racing and Racing TVG teams, Persad joins the recently appointed Jim Boyle, Linda Bowles, Susannah Gill, Louise Kemble, Alice Page and Algy Smith-Maxwell on the Racing Foundation's Board of Trustees, which is chaired by Julia Budd.

Budd said, “I'm so pleased Rishi will be joining us on the Foundation's Board of Trustees. With a broadcasting career spanning over two decades, his experience both within racing and of the wider sporting landscape will bring a broad and unique perspective to the Board.”

Rob Hezel, Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation, said, “I'm very much looking forward to working with Rishi as the newest Trustee to join the Racing Foundation's Board. Rishi's passion for improving the sport of racing is evident. I know he will provide great insight and value to the Foundation's talented Board of Trustees.”

Persad added, “I am honoured to join The Racing Foundation, a foundation whose principal purpose is to make a positive difference within the industry. Racing has been good to me since I first fell in love with it as a child and I am always keen to give back in any way I can. The Racing Foundation offers me the opportunity to serve the sport to the benefit of both horses and humans.”

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