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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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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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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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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'Modernising racing: How far and how fast?' is the focus of the conference, which will bring together experts from both within and outside of the racing industry. Refreshments will be served, as well as a two-course lunch, followed by a champagne reception. Tickets are £55 and can be purchased on the Racing Foundation's website.

Rob Hezel, Chief Executive at the Racing Foundation, said, “The Racing Foundation is delighted to announce the date for the sixth annual Horseracing Industry Conference which will be delivered with a focus on minimising the event's environmental impact.

“The 2023 conference comes at a crucial time for British racing as it awaits publication of the sport's new strategy.

“The pace of societal change we are experiencing today demands the industry thinks creatively and boldly to safeguard the sport for tomorrow.

“I know this year's topic, 'Modernising racing: How far and how fast?' will offer important insight and generate engaging debate at the conference. I look forward to the contributions from keynotes speakers, industry leaders and the conference delegates.”

Neil Coster, Director of Studies for the Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA at the University of Liverpool Management School, said, “The University of Liverpool Management School is looking forward to welcoming this year's delegates to York Racecourse for the annual Horseracing Industry Conference.

“The 2023 conference will welcome experts outside of the world of racing as well as those within it, embracing innovative thinking often overlooked in racing.

“In past years, the conversation surrounding the conference topics transcends well beyond the keynote talks. I look forward to again discussing racing's challenges with this year's delegates during the networking sessions throughout the day.

“The conference is a superb continual professional development opportunity for all working in, or passionate about, the sport of horseracing.”

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A graduate of Bristol University in 1996, he later specialised in equine veterinary medicine, and has served as President of the National Trainers' Federation (NTF) between 2014 and 2016. Boyle joins Algy Smith-Maxwell, Alice Page, Linda Bowles, Louise Kemble and Susannah Gill on the Foundation's seven-strong Board of Trustees, which is chaired by Julia Budd.

Budd said, “We are delighted to welcome someone of Jim's calibre to the Racing Foundation's Board of Trustees.

“Jim's in-depth and practical equine veterinary knowledge combined with his vast experience as a trainer will offer a much-valued perspective to the Board who will greatly benefit from his expertise.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to Mark Johnson for his contribution to the Racing Foundation over the last six years. His knowledge, insights and advice have been generously given and enormously valued by us all.”

Boyle said, “I'm delighted to be joining the Racing Foundation as a Trustee, and hope to use my experience as both a vet and racehorse trainer to help contribute to the decision-making processes involved in the awarding of grants.

“These grants have the ability to make a real difference to the racing industry and by association the entire equine industry. I look forward to working with the rest of the Board to make sure the best possible use is made of the funding that is available.”

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Building on reports published in 2014 and 2018, the study was commissioned by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and conducted by PwC. Both the Racing Foundation and Horseracing Betting Levy Board (HBLB) funded the project.

British breeding was found to have an impact of over £375m of gross value added to the rural economy, as well as being a world-leading producer of top racehorses and the foundation for a world-class racing programme. There was also greater insight gained into the current climate in which Thoroughbred breeders operate through deeper analysis of factors affecting profitability and the overall health of the sector.

Over 7.5 million data points were analysed in the project following the impact of both Brexit and COVID-19. One of the highlights of the report was how the Great British Bonus scheme has narrowed the gap in average sales prices between colts and fillies at British sales. There are ongoing profitability issues, particularly in the middle and lower tiers of the market, where smaller operators continue to exit the industry. Forecasts on foal crops and broodmare numbers in the report also show a steady but continual reduction without intervention.

The report also outlined some recommendations for the industry to pursue, including the consideration of prize-money levels, new targeted industry incentives, creation of accessible ownership models, encouragement and support of the domestic stallion market, and the development of recruitment and retention strategies to meet the industry's talent requirements.

TBA Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson said, “It is timely as it coincides with the racing industry's development of a new long-term strategy, led by the BHA, which is an opportunity to shape racing's future and strengthen our position as a world-leader in thoroughbred racing and breeding.

“The report will be a key evidence bank for this vital work, as industry stakeholders seek to work together to address the challenges for the long-term health of the sport. A high quality and sustainable supply of thoroughbred horses is a specific objective underpinning the whole strategy, and is a requisite for an attractive, competitive and quality racing product.”

TBA Chief Executive Claire Sheppard added, “It is of fundamental importance that as the TBA, and as an industry, we take action based on a sound and robust evidence base and have a real depth of understanding of underlying trends across the whole industry.

“As this is the third study the TBA has commissioned, a comprehensive and longer-term picture of the key trends now exists, and the data have helped PwC to model into the future and map out what could happen if these trends continue and we do not take interventions.

“The long-term declining trend in the key indicators are an ongoing concern, but there are signs of hope for the future in the upturn in the 2022 British-born foal crop numbers and the positive impact of the Great British Bonus on sales prices and owner returns.

“The report demonstrates that incentives and strategic interventions can work. We must learn from this and take forward a plan with the support of breeders in particular and the racing industry in general as part of racing's new strategy.”

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Neil Hayward has been appointed as the first chair of racing's Industry People Board, leading a new function within the sport with the goal of driving and ensuring delivery in efforts to recruit, train and retain British racing's workforce and promoting welfare, equality, diversity and inclusion.

The creation of the Industry People Board follows a comprehensive process overseen by a steering group comprising the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) and the Racing Foundation (RF).

Hayward brings to the role of Chair more than 25 years of experience, including in Board and Executive Team Leadership positions at High Speed Two Ltd, Post Office, BT, Ministry of Justice, Standard Chartered Bank, Gallaher Group, Serco Group and Booker, as well as in the NHS and Higher and Further Education.

In the course of carrying out these roles and more, Hayward has developed a track record in employee engagement and equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives, significantly improving workforce and organisational performance across organisations in a range of sectors.

“I'd like to thank [BHA Chief Executive] Julie [Harrington], Alan [Delmonte, chief executive of the Horserace Betting and Levy Board] and [Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation] Rob [Hezel] for the trust they are placing in me by appointing me as Chair,” said Hayward. “I'm really looking forward to working with them and many others to make our new Industry People Board a success.”

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The students learned to ride racehorses under the expert tuition of the instructors at the British Racing School (BRS) in Newmarket where the Academy and its programmes are run. The course began with a residential week at the BRS in August 2021 and the students have returned for one weekend each month since then to continue their tuition.

Mellah said, “I am so incredibly proud and humbled by everything that the students have achieved this year. To see them arrive in August last year having only ever sat on riding school ponies, to now be riding racehorses on the gallops here is just mind blowing. As a group and individually I am so impressed by the talent, hard work and commitment they have put in and I can't wait to see where their careers in racing take them next. None of this would have been possible without the support of the Racing Foundation and the incredible instructors at the British Racing School–I am so grateful to everyone who has made the Academy possible.”

The Academy was set up by Naomi Lawson and ITV Racing's Oli Bell as a legacy to the achievements of Khadijah Mellah who became the first British Muslim woman to win a horse race in the UK when landing the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood in 2019.

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