Diversity in Racing Annual Update Published

British racing's 2019 annual update was published on Sunday. The annual update emphasizes the opportunities open in the sport, as well as sets the DiRSG's overall strategy and priorities for the next 12 to 18 months. The four focus areas for 2020 are:

• Raising awareness of the importance of diversity & inclusion across racing through industry-wide events and a digital awareness and engagement campaign
• Collate and evaluate cross-industry diversity data, publishing where possible, to build a clear evidence base for decisions; new methods for data collection will also be explored
• Look at ways to create a culture of inclusivity in racing through the development and publishing of best practice toolkits and case studies for the industry as well as aligning with wider campaigns such as Stonewall's Rainbow Laces
• Increase participation of female jockeys through further research into every stage of a female jockey's career and by improving facilities on racecourses.

Khadijah Mellah, Bryony Frost, Rachael Blackmore and Hollie Doyle and the reaction to research published by PhD student Vanessa Cashmore caught the attention of the main stream media this year and were utilized as evidence of how highlighting the breadth of talent in British racing can be used to attract new audiences and broaden the appeal of the sport. Also, the update tracked progress against British racing's first Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, published in 2018. Securing vital funding from Racing Foundation to assist in key enabling activity in 2020, supporting PhD research by David Letts on masculinity within racing and carrying out a full audit of female jockey facilities in conjunction with the RCA, BHA and PJA were all part of the Action Plan. The British Racing School's Di-Farrell Thomas, MEP Rory Palmer and trainers John Berry and Suzy Smith will join the Diversity in Racing Steering Group beginning in 2020.

“The Diversity in Racing Steering Group has made good progress since its formation in 2018 and the publishing of the action plan, and since I joined the BHA it has been useful to understand more about how the different parts of the industry feel about making racing a more inclusive sport,” said Rose Grissell, Head of Diversity and Inclusion for British racing. “Our focus now is on improving our evidence base, getting out to the industry and raising awareness of the benefits of having an inclusive sport. We aim to empower everyone in the industry to play their role in creating a sport which offers a big-hearted welcome for everyone. Without the funding recently received from the Racing Foundation the next stage of work would not have been possible, so our thanks must go to them.”