Diversity in Racing Steering Group

British racing launches a new campaign--All In The Race-with the goal of improving diversity and inclusivity in the sport. The All In The Race campaign has been led by the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG). Highlighting the campaign is a 1-minute video, featuring jockeys, trainers, racing staff and members of racing staff working in yards, racecourse personnel, figures from the racing media and administration of the sport, as well as racegoers and members of Ebony Horse Club. "With so many other brilliant people, initiatives and organisations across the sport,...

Nine further racing organisation's have signed up to British racing's unified industry commitment to improve diversity and inclusion across the sport. The Diversity in Racing Steering Group revealed on Monday in its 2021 Annual Update that Arena Racing Company, The Jockey Club, The British Racing School, The National Horseracing College, The Scottish Racing Academy, The Racing Foundation, Racing Welfare, The Pony Racing Authority and Racing to School and Racing Together have joined the eight key stakeholder organisations who were the founding signatories of the commitment. Susannah Gill, chair of the...

The 2020 Annual Update from the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG) was published on Monday. The report highlights the importance of capitalising on the current momentum within British racing to continue to work together for a more diverse and inclusive sport. Funded by the Racing Foundation, the DiRSG report also contains discussion of ethnic diversity within racing in light of the worldwide conversation about race and racism seen this year, highlights a number of important individual milestones as well as the launch of a wide variety of industry initiatives...

'Racing is Everyone's Sport' campaign was announced by Great British Racing on Monday. The goal of the initiative is to encourage and welcome LGBT+ participation in racing and bring the racing community together to champion lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. Former jockey Victoria Smith and trainer Mick Appleby are involved with the initiative and have shared their personal experiences. "This year has been challenging for all [during the coronavirus pandemic]--however research demonstrates that minority groups have been disproportionately affected during the crisis," said Diversity in Racing Steering Group David...

Racing With Pride, the LGBT+ network for British racing, was launched by the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG), the British Horseracing Authority announced on Monday. The network is designed for British racing's industry members and fans who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBT+) as well as allies of the LGBT+ community who want to demonstrate their support, regardless of their own identity. The goals of Racing With Pride is as follows: Support: offer a safe space for LGBT+ people and allies...

Susannah Gill has been appointed the new Chairwoman of the Diversity in Racing Steering Group, replacing British Horseracing Authority CEO Nick Rust who is leaving his BHA role at the end of the year, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday. Gill, a member of the DiRSG since it began in 2017,  was previously the director of external affairs and board member for Arena Racing Company. Prior to that, she was the Betfair Head of Public Affairs. Currently, Gill is a Trustee of the Racing Foundation and National Horseracing College...

The Diversity in Racing Steering Group's (DiRSG) dedicated LGBT+ sub-group launched a new e-learning module to improve LGBT+ awareness and inclusion within British racing. The module has been included in the mandatory licensing courses at the British Racing School and National Horseracing College. The module, available for free via Racing2Learn, is accessible to anyone involved in the industry. The LGBT+ dedicated sub-group was developed following research which indicated many individuals who identified as a sexual minority did not feel comfortable 'coming out' at work, despite largely positive attitudes towards sexual...

Southwell will host an all-female card on International Women's Day, Mar. 8. The eight races, held in conjunction with the sport's Diversity in Racing Steering Group, the British Horseracing Authority, Women in Racing and Great British Racing, will be split evenly between Flat and National Hunt racing. "It's great that Southwell are celebrating International Women's Day with an all-female racecard," said Southwell native and jockey Hayley Turner, who became the second female jockey to ride a Royal Ascot winner last year. We ride against and at the same level as...