TBA's strategic projects to receive £360,000 Racing Foundation boost

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association has announced that education provision, equine welfare and environmental sustainability are among the key strategic projects that will receive over £360,000 from the industry's charitable grant issuing body, the Racing Foundation.

Awarded over a three-year period, the money will go towards improving the sector’s long-term viability, while also supporting people in the breeding industry and the horses in their care.

Funding will also be available for further development and delivery of 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 Entry to Stud Employment (E2SE) programme in 2022 will ensure 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 breeders, enthusiasts and students to improve their knowledge relating to thoroughbred horse care and breeding.

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 the 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, while 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.”

Racing Foundation chief executive Rob Hezel added: "The world is changing rapidly and horseracing and thoroughbred breeding do not operate in a vacuum. It is therefore encouraging to see the TBA developing their strategy in response to issues such as the environment and labour market shifts.

“The Racing Foundation funding will enable the TBA to develop their work in education, equine welfare and environmental sustainability, all key pillars of their forward-thinking strategy that focuses on supporting a sustainable thoroughbred breeding industry.”

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