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Delegates from across the racing industry attended the first carbon-neutral Horseracing Industry Conference at York Racecourse on Tuesday, October 23.
Over 250 delegates from across the industry registered for the event: from racecourse representatives to racehorse trainers, funders to charities and racing schools to suppliers. The cross-section of British racing and the wider sporting landscape attendees engaged with keynote talks from specialists and experts from within and outside of the sport.
When developing the agenda for this year’s conference, the Racing Foundation and University of Liverpool Management School did so with the belief that in order to discuss the future of the sport, it was imperative to engage younger audiences and make their voices heard. Each agenda item featured a ‘next generation panellist’ who represented the next generation of racing's fan base and workforce. Complimentary delegate tickets were offered to under 25-year-olds to encourage engagement and debate with the challenges and opportunities discussed at the conference.
Environmental sustainability was embedded into the conference this year not only through its inclusion on the agenda, but by its sustainable practices. The conference used reusable signage, encouraged delegates to travel by train, collected carbon data and used a digital-only brochure. Lanyards made from recycled bottles replaced traditional plastic name badges. A lunch using produce from the Yorkshire was served as the Racing Foundation and University of Liverpool Management School addressed all aspects of environmental impact in delivering the event. The carbon used will be offset using an approved scheme.
Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Commercial Committee David Jones kicked off the conference with the keynote address, offering a commercial view of the forthcoming industry strategy and stressing the importance of significant innovation through collaboration. The full video of David Jones' speech can be watched online here.
The Racing Product agenda item commenced with Racing League founder Jeremy Wray discussing the importance of trying new ideas within the sport of racing and calling for more data and more technology to capture the next generation of racing fans. He said that while we haven’t managed to engage millennials or Gen Z with the sport yet, there is hope and time to win them back. Wray cited ITV’s new six-part primetime docuseries, that focuses on jump racing, as crucial to address racing’s “massive existential crisis.”
Vikram Banerjee is Director of Business Operations at the England and Wales Cricket Board. Instrumental in the delivery of cricket’s modernised format, The Hundred, Vikram talked about breaking down perceptions of cricket as elitist and how the ECB broadened cricket’s appeal and engaged families with young children.
Equine Breeding: Past, Present and Future was the first session after lunch. Vice-Chair and Veterinary Chair of the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation Dr Des Leadon delivered an educational keynote talk on the history of thoroughbred breeding and the integrity of the breed. In keeping with the conference structure of considering the wider sporting landscape, breeding specialists James Crabtree and Fred Barrelet then explored equine breeding techniques in the non-thoroughbred, reflecting on outcomes in other equestrian disciplines.
Ruth Dancer is the Director of White Griffin who delivered the racing industry’s sustainability assessment results and recommendations in 2022. She delivered a keynote talk at this year’s conference. After giving an update and insight into best practice across various industry sectors, Dancer posed the question: Where are you in your journey? Subsequently encouraging delegates to educate themselves, get started, and talk about what they’re doing and celebrate every single sustainability win.
Football followed Dancer’s talk. Ben Fisher, Environmental Sustainability Officer of the English Football League, talked about the power of sport to engage communities in the area of environmental sustainability, its connection to social aim, and the opportunity to use sustainability to leverage fan buy-in.
The final item of the day was the industry leadership panel. Its aim was to offer all delegates the opportunity to quiz racing’s decision makers in an open forum. Keynote address David Jones was joined by Claire Sheppard (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Chief Executive), Charlie Liverton (Chief Executive of the Racehorse Owners Association), Dale Gibson (interim CEO of the Professional Jockeys Association), Jemma Marshall (President of the National Association of Stable staff), Neil Hayward (Chair the Industry People Boar) and David Armstrong (Racecourse Association Chief Executive) joined Rishi Persad onstage to answer questions from the audience. The discussion included data, training and retaining the industry’s workforce and community engagement for racecourses. This session, alongside other select keynote talks, is available to watch online here.
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For support in delivering a low-impact event in the British racing industry, please contact Rhi Lee-Jones via the submission form
All are welcome to join us for a day of learning, challenge and debate.
From carbon footprint and the stewardship of acreage, to the management of water and waste, York Racecourse have embedded sustainability into their operations for the past five years. In 2023, they launched their environmental strategy Green Knavesmire 300, recognising what has been achieved to date and committing to ambitious plans for the future. Amy, who has been with York Racecourse for the last 14 years, is the lynchpin of coordinating the strategy and ensuring management buy-in for its successful delivery.
Jemma is Chairperson to the NARS Lambourn Regional Committee having bought the committee together in 2019 and in 2020 was elected President to the National Association of Stable Staff. Starting full time for Gary Moore at the age of 18, Jemma rode as an amateur before applying for her apprentice license where she rode 73 winners. Since then, has worked for Charlie Appleby, Owen Burrows and is currently Head travelling person for Tom Ward in Lambourn.
Olly has developed his skills and experience across a variety of roles in both racing and thoroughbred breeding. He has worked across several stud farms, including Meon Valley and Little Avondale Stud in New Zealand. A Leeds University graduate, Olly has a particular interest in pedigrees, form analysis and marketing which ultimately led him into broodmare ownership and racing syndication.
Sam Fleet is the co-founder and CEO of JockeyCam Ltd, a company which provides live wearable, safety-approved cameras for jockeys to give viewers a unique perspective of horseracing.
He has worked for more than 20 years in media and has a deep understanding of the horseracing industry, with experience of the requirements needed to bring innovations and concepts to reality within the sport, both in the UK and overseas.
He’s also a company director of award-winning Equine Productions which since its formation alongside co-founders Nathan Horrocks and Dave James in 2012 has produced video content for the horseracing industry, with a continued commitment to promote the sport to a wider audience.
John is the Lead Stud Vet and a Clinical Director at Fyrnwy Equine Clinic, the veterinary practice that he joined following graduation in 2007.
John is a member of the stud medicine team responsible for Shade Oak Stud and oversees the veterinary management of the stallions at Stallion AI Services. John has extensive experience of artificial insemination using fresh, chilled and frozen semen, along with embryo transfer.
John is a FEI permitted treating vet, as well as a racecourse veterinary surgeon and is often on duty at Haydock and Uttoxeter racecourses.
John is a member of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's Veterinary Committee and Equine Welfare Working Group, he also acts as the TBA representative on the BHA Veterinary Committee. John is also actively involved with the teaching of stud medicine through the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).
Kirstin is the Sustainability and Corporate Social Values Manager for The Jockey Club, delivering significant reductions in energy consumption and improvements in waste management for more than 10 years. With a background in maths and operational research, data has been a fundamental tool in encouraging and demonstrating the achievements. Kirstin launched the award-winning employee engagement programme ‘Going Green’ in 2012 and believes involving as many people as possible is key to making an impact.
David was appointed to the BHA Board in January 2021. He is the BHA’s Senior Independent Director (SID) and chairs the Commercial Committee. He also chairs the Audit Committee and is a member of the Rules Committee, Integrity Advisory Committee, Nominations Committee, and People and Remuneration Committee. David is the Board’s Diversity & Inclusion Champion.
David has an in-depth knowledge of the racing industry and its racing regulation from his 10 years as a BHA Steward and three years as a member of the Racecourse Committee at Kempton Park, as well as through his ownership of racehorses. He has undertaken important project work on behalf of the sport in recent years, including chairing the Whip Steering Group.
He is Chair of Gloucestershire Country Cricket Club and was a member of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s New Competition Board which created The Hundred. In this capacity he has worked extensively with the Director of the Women’s Professional Game.
Dale started work in 1984 with William Hastings Bass, following a year learning the ropes, he signed apprentice forms in September 1985. A successful period ensued, including winning the Stewards Cup, Newbury Spring Cup, and Irish November Handicap whilst an Apprentice. Dale also rode five winners for Queen Elizabeth. Having ridden his claim out in November 1990, Dale freelanced in the south, ahead of a permanent move north in 1994. A productive initial spell riding for legendary trainer Mick Easterby was cut short in 1996 by a bad fall. Dale had 24 days in hospital but retuned to the saddle five months later with a winner. A chance reunion with Easterby in 2000 saw them combine to win the highly competitive Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon to reignite their partnership once again, which successfully lasted until 2009, when Dale retired at York – also the venue of his first ever ride. Dale started work for the PJA in 2010 as Industry Liaison Officer, progressing to Racing Director and is currently in his second spell as Interim CEO. A keen Arsenal, cricket fan and player, Dale was also a dual county Table Tennis champion at school and co-founded the Leger Legends race at Doncaster, which he also won in 2014, raising over £1,300,000 for racing charities to date.
Charlie Liverton has been the CEO of the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) since 2016, having previously spent seven years at Neptune Investment Management. Prior to this he held positions as a Global Account Manager at GESeaCo Services Limited and was a Bloodstock Insurance Broker with Crawley Warren. Charlie was also pupil assistant trainer to Major Dick Hern and Richard Hannon, as well as working for one of the leading vets in Lambourn, Mike O’Gorman, and in the bloodstock department of Tattersalls.
