British Horse Racing Launches Diversity Plan

British horse racing has published its first diversity and inclusion action plan, which aims to improve representation across all aspects of the sport.

The plan was published by the sport’s Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG), which said parts of the sport were “out of kilter with modern British society”.

The body, which contains 16 individuals from the racing industry, was set up last year after a report highlighted prejudice and barriers limiting the development of women in racing.

The Action Plan covers eight core areas, which it believes can be addressed to promote greater inclusion in British racing. The report contains a series of recommendations across these eight areas which it is hoped will lead to short and long-term benefits to help British racing better reflect the diversity of wider society in the sport’s governance, participants, racegoers and fans.

Central to the recommendations is a focus on reaching new, culturally and ethnically diverse audiences through the sport’s marketing and promotion, and ensuring the next generation of racing fans have the opportunity to interact with horses, in particular in urban environments.

In order to assist the industry-wide engagement and coordination required for the delivery of the Plan, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that it will be recruiting for a new head of diversity and inclusion. This role will be responsible for working with the DiRSG and the sport’s stakeholders to ensure that the momentum behind this report is maintained and the recommendations are implemented.

Among the proposals are:

• Taking action to reduce the gender pay gap in horse racing
• Striving for at least 30% of board members across racing to be women by 2021
• Publishing a safeguarding policy to protect anyone involved in racing from abuse and establish clear channels for abusive behaviour to be reported
• Working with campaigns like ‘rainbow laces’ to create an environment where everyone in racing can be open about their sexuality

Governing body, the British Horseracing Authority, is endorsing the plan and says it wants to put the issue at the heart of British racing.

It also intends to carry out research aimed at understanding how the sport can attract diverse audiences more effectively.

Horse racing estimates it employs 85,000 people around Great Britain and measures its contribution to the economy at over £3bn.

Nick Rust, BHA chief executive and DiRSG chair, said: “The publication of this Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan is a moment we hope all in the sport will welcome. We have a collective responsibility to ensure the sport is as diverse and inclusive as possible and this plan seeks to ensure we have a focused approach to making that happen in the months and years ahead.

“At a time when we need to be attracting the best talent and growing our sport there is a clear commercial, as well as moral case, for making sure British Racing is a sport where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential and where fans of all communities feel welcome.”

Josh Apiafi, DiRSG member, added: “Every member of the Diversity in Racing Steering Group brings experience, expertise and energy to the discussion on diversity and inclusion. We want to support the excellent work already going on in the sport while helping to provide new ideas which can be developed and delivered on a collaborative basis, requiring commitment from everyone in the sport.”