Diversity in Racing

For a window on the diversity of the British Turf, you've probably come to the right place. White, male, middle-aged, straight: all boxes checked there, I think. But if that is very much the stereotype, then at least the authorities here have acknowledged as much; and there is a corporate determination to do something about it. Nor is this merely some perfunctory response to the incendiary confluence, around the world, of a looming economic recession and the protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd. Even in 2017, admittedly, action...

He grew up on the racetrack, mainly at the old Latonia, spending many a morning and afternoon there with his father Daryl, who worked as a jockey agent, an exercise rider and a racing official. And everywhere he went, Deshawn Parker saw people just like him. Young, Black and eager to make a name for themselves in the sport. It was the '70s and the '80s and at whatever track you went to, the majority of backstretch workers were African Americans. Today, they make up a small fraction of a...

As many people in the United States and around the world question their personal views on diversity and racial inclusion, we decided to look inwardly on our industry, and we found it wanting. So we asked a tough question to several industry members: How do we make racing at its highest level more diverse? DORA DELGADO, Executive VP and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup The key to diversifying any business is to take a hard look at the data and a hard look at the social and economic roadblocks...

As a dark-skinned native of Puerto Rico trying to break into U.S. racing in the early Sixties against a largely white rider colony in New York, Angel Cordero Jr. may have faced more racism than anybody working in racing today. It happened to him inside and outside of the sport. More than 50 years later, much has changed in racing and Cordero said he was proud of the strides Hispanic jockeys have made. At most tracks, they dominate the riders' standings. But Cordero said there remains a problem for the...

As many people in the United States and around the world question their personal views on diversity and racial inclusion, we decided to look inwardly on our industry, and we found it wanting. So we asked a tough question to several industry members: How do we make racing at its highest level more diverse? ERIC GUSTAVSON, President of Spendthrift Farm As we all know, diversity comes in many shapes and sizes. And the question, 'how do we make racing at its highest level more diverse?' is locked and loaded for...

 TIM WICKES  I have three sons and one daughter, and I would like to think that it will be as easy for her as it will be for them, but I know it won't be. In this industry, Linda Rice is the unicorn of trainers as the most decorated female trainer in history. Julie Krone was the unicorn of her generation as a jockey, and the same goes for Georgeanne Hale as the first woman to serve as a racing secretary at a major North American racetrack. I'm embarrassed by...

KITTY TAYLOR, Warrendale Sales I think most of the time, folks don't want to see others people's points of view and/or they can't see them due to their life experiences. I was listening to NPR yesterday, and they were discussing the discontinuation of Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's and Cream of Wheat because of their use of African American imagery. I had never thought of the subtle messaging that just those small daily images make on our views of others. To that point, until we in racing can become more self-aware,...

ALICIA HUGHES, Director of NTRA Communications  As a person of color in this sport, this is a topic that is extremely personal. This is my life. When you talk about what racing can do to be more diverse, in my mind, racing needs to start by acknowledging the issue of a lack of diversity in positions of power and influence. That is something that we have yet to do. I have pulled transcripts from symposiums and round tables, but there has been no discussion. The issue of the lack of...

As many people in the United States and around the world question their personal views on diversity and racial inclusion, we decided to look inwardly on our industry, and we found it wanting. So we asked a tough question to several industry members- How do we make racing at its highest level more diverse? JASON WILSON, President and COO of Equibase  I am keenly aware that I am the only African-American in the executive ranks of horse racing. I used to joke that Equibase's advertising meeting was the most diverse...