Horseracing Industry People Board Secures $1M in Funding

The Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB) in the UK announced that it has secured a total of £759,000 (approximately $1 million) in funding from the Racing Foundation and Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB). The money would help the former group’s workforce-related initiatives for 2025.

The Funding Will Support HIPB’s Workforce Strategy

According to the announcement, the HIPB would receive funding grants of £489,929 and £269,438 from the Racing Foundation and the HBLB respectively.

The HIPB noted that the funding approval comes shortly after the publication of its Our People, Racing’s Future strategy, which seeks to attract and retain skilled workers across the British racing and breeding sectors. The funding would help the organization support this initiative, among other activities.

The Money Will Fuel a Variety of Programs

The HIPB elaborated that the money would fuel several programs, including its substance misuse pilot, which seeks to pilot pilot drug and alcohol testing, education and support in training yards and studs. These efforts are being led by the National Trainers Federation, National Association of Racing Staff and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

In addition to that, the funding would support the HIPB’s mentoring training and qualification pilot, an inaugural initiative that seeks to standardize existing programs and set up industry standards in mentoring.

Another initiative includes a workforce analysis and forecast that will provide the HIPB with a better understanding of the skill levels across the industry, allowing it to more accurately identify and predict development opportunities and recruitment priorities.

Some funding will be directed toward the Racing Home project, which seeks to improve the working lives of parents, careers and women within the industry. The HIPB will also continue to fund its JETS jockey coaching program, which is a collaboration with the Jockeys Education & Training Scheme (JETS), British Racing School and the Racing Staff Development Programme.

The HIBP Will Enhance Its Team

In addition to the listed initiatives, the funding from the Racing Foundation and the HBLB will allow the HIPB to enhance its team and recruit new experts into key positions. The company’s enhanced team will be led by the newly appointed program director Jon Pett, who will step into the office in May and will oversee the organization’s three-year plan.

Pett will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of certain facets of the HIPB’s strategy, including:

• Expanding vocational training to equip new entrants into the industry with essential skills
• Reviewing and redesigning the trainer license course
• Developing a rider development pathway
• Strengthening mental and physical wellbeing support services
• Creating and embedding clearer, more consistent employment standards
• Analyzing and building data sets to inform ongoing decision-making

The HIPB added that the latest funding is part of an overall £4.2 million contribution to wider people-related activity across the UK racing and breeding sectors in 2025.

HIPB Thanked the Racing Foundation and the HBLB for Their Help

Representatives commented on the matter, with HIPB chair Julia Tyson thanking the Racing Foundation and the HBLB for their commitment to supporting the racing sector.

This is a significant additional investment in racing’s people, which will allow us to deliver new activity and accelerate work already underway, with an immediate focus on supporting those in horse-facing roles.

Julia Tyson, chair, HIPB

Tyson also welcomed Pett on board, praising his deep experience in sports and program management.

Tansy Challis, CEO of the Racing Foundation, was likewise pleased with the opportunity to support the HIPB’s initiatives, saying that they align with the foundation’s commitment to the industry’s sustainability.

Alan Delmonte, CEO of the HBLB, added that the board has supported the HIPB since its inception and will continue to do so during the implementation phase of its workforce strategy.