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HRI Launches Sustainability Strategy ‘ Racing Towards a Better World’

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) announced the launch of its Sustainability Strategy 2024 'Racing towards a better world'.

The strategy, which supports Ireland's Climate Action Plan and the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, identifies the role HRI will play in the change in sustainability across the organisation, while also providing guidance and support to the industry.

“HRI is committed to fostering an industry-wide culture of sustainability,” said Roger Casey, Chief Financial Officer, HRI. “We also want to support the industry to increase its understanding and delivery of sustainability priorities through practical measures and financial supports where possible. To achieve this, HRI will continuously share our learnings with industry stakeholders. Significant sustainable development funding also needs to be made available nationally and at EU level, and we continue to work with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in this regard.”

Victor Quinlan, Capital Projects and Environmental Sustainability Lead, HRI, added, “Under the SEAI Public Sector Partnership Programme, HRI is committed to maximising energy efficiency, improving the environment, and meeting national energy saving obligations. We have made significant progress over recent years and together with our HRI racecourses, Fairyhouse, Leopardstown, Navan and Tipperary, we report on our energy efficiency and CO2 footprint annually, as we work towards the mandated 2030 public sector targets.”

There is also ongoing progress on several initiatives including education and training programmes through Equuip, HRI's Industry Education and Training department, employee and industry assistance programmes, the launch of a Health, Safety and Well-being Guide for the Industry, increased local community engagement and the achievement of the IBEC KeepWell Mark, an evidence-based accreditation that puts the wellbeing of employees at the forefront of company policy.

To view the complete strategy, click here.

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TBA Awarded Over £360K to Support Racing Industry

Over £360,000 will be issued to the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association over a three-year period for activities that work towards improving the education provision, equine welfare and environmental sustainability of the UK racing industry. The money will come from the Racing Foundation, the racing industry's charitable grant issuing body.

The plans include funding for further development and delivery of new initiatives within the TBA's Thoroughbred Breeding Industry Training and Qualification Pathway, which provides a formal structure to industry learning–ranging from essential skills at Level 1 through to advanced management training at Level 4. Continued support at Level 1 for the successful Entry to Stud Employment (E2SE) programme in 2022 will ensure that the industry continues to attract new entrants and deliver accessible training. The expansion of content on the TBA's e-learning platform TB-Ed will also enable thoroughbred breeders, enthusiasts and students to improve their knowledge of topics relating to thoroughbred horse care and breeding at their own convenience.

Plans for the third Economic Impact Study will be able to proceed this year to provide further data on which to assess trends from the 2014 and 2018 research. The previous studies, instrumental in the formulation of the TBA's evidence-based strategies to combat industry challenges, resulted in the successful creation and delivery of NHMOPS and subsequent GBB scheme.

TBA Chief Executive Claire Sheppard said, “Equine health and welfare is at the heart of our work at the TBA. By prioritising education and training we can ensure that all our industry participants can continue to deliver the highest standards of equine care.

“Funds from the Racing Foundation will support these key areas, whilst progressing the TBA's equine welfare strategy which includes improved data collection and analysis, education, traceability and aftercare.

“All of this wouldn't be possible in the long term without a sustainable environment in which to raise thoroughbreds, hence our commitment to encourage environmental best practice within the industry. The Racing Foundation funded our first award-winning sustainability project last year and we are delighted to be partnering with them again as we develop this work.

“The third Economic Impact Study will also enable us to assess the current state of the industry, whilst identifying possible future challenges and opportunities for the sector.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Racing Foundation in helping us deliver these projects to achieve our five-year goals to improve the operating environment for all participants in the industry.”

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Survey to Help Future-Proof UK Racing Now Underway

Everyone working in or involved with the racing and breeding industry in Great Britain is encouraged to take part in an online questionnaire that will map industry activity with the aim of future-proofing racing, its organisations, and the livelihoods of its people, against immediate and long-term environmental challenges. The survey, which runs until Monday, Feb. 14, may be found here. Part of a joint initiative between the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), The Racing Foundation, The Horsemen's Group and the Racecourse Association (RCA), the survey is delivered in partnership with sustainability consultancy White Griffin.

In addition to the survey, there are also a series of focus group-style sessions already in progress, which seek to explore some of the environmental projects in greater detail and discuss the sustainability challenges and opportunities for racing. The engagement work is taking place online and, where possible through site visits. Additional sessions are being arranged for the coming weeks, with anybody interested in contributing to the project encouraged to contact: sustainability@britishhorseracing.com.

Rob Hezel, Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation, said, “We knew before we started this scoping assessment into racing's progress on environmental sustainability that there was a huge amount of work already underway, but that this exercise would also help us identify gaps and further opportunities.

“Climate change presents major challenges for our industry and our hope is that by measuring and understanding where we are now, we can enable industry leaders to plan more effectively for the future. Gathering the initial information and data is crucial to this process, and therefore I encourage everyone to complete the questionnaire and help ensure we benefit from a comprehensive assessment.”

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2022 ITBA National Webinar Series Begins

The 2022 Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association National Webinar Series was announced on Sunday. Beginning on Friday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the first webinar will update viewers on the ITBA's 2021. Chairman John McEnery, Vice Chairman Cathy Grassick and CEO Shane O'Dwyer will provide an update on the organisation and also outline plans for 2022 and beyond.

The second session of Friday's webinar is titled “Changing in Today's Environment” and will cover all aspects of operating in today's climate. The panel will discuss all elements around movement of animals, difficulties facing breeders post-Brexit and important steps around traceability and functionality that will better serve all involved. Speakers include John Osborne, Director of Welfare and Bloodstock HRI and Grant Thornton.

For the third and final session of the webinar, the focus is on “Sustainable Options For Breeders”. There will be contributions from the Irish Equine Centre, with the highlight being grants available for breeders across a wide range of biodiversity and sustainability, how to access these grants and ITBA future Climate Action Plans.

To register, please email kryan@itba.ie.

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