The UK Department for Business and Trade's UK Sports Economy Trade Mission launched at a Welcome Reception hosted by His Majesty's Consul General in Los Angeles, Emily Cloke, on Wednesday evening. The event was held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, California.
Led in partnership with Ascot Racecourse, Great British Racing International, The Jockey Club and UK Tote Group, the trade mission represents the first time the British racing industry has collaborated on a large-scale international event with the support of Government demonstrating the value of racing to the UK economy driving exports and inward-investment.
Julie Harrington, CEO of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) spoke to an audience of 150 global representatives from across the industry including racehorse owners, breeders, bloodstock agents, racecourses, investors and wider sports-related companies such as UK Tote Group's Chairman, John Williamson and Chief Executive, Alex Frost.
The 13-strong trade delegation of UK-based companies taking part in the mission include Control Risks, Dizplai, Duralock, GVS EQ, International Venue Management (IVM), Keyflow, Shires Equestrian, STATSports, The Racing Manager, Total Performance Data (TPD), TurfTrax, Two Circles and Weatherbys. The USA sports market is expected to be worth £83 billion in 2023, with a pipeline of major international sporting events over the next decade including the World Cup, Rugby World Cup and the LA Summer Olympics, where the UK can add major value.
The delegation will attend the second edition of the World Tote Association (WoTA) Forum, which UK Tote Group co-chairs alongside ATG, on Nov. 2 at Le Méridien Pasadena Arcadia Hotel. The final two days of the programme will be spent at the 40th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships from Nov. 3-4, where the delegation will have access to a dedicated networking area within Santa Anita Park.
Minister for Exports Lord Offord said, “The UK is home to some fantastic businesses across the sports industry, so I am delighted we are partnering with major industry players on the first horse racing trade mission at the Breeders' Cup.
“The racing industry supports 20,000 jobs in the UK directly, and the Breeders' Cup gives us the opportunity to showcase the UK's expertise on a global stage, helping to create exciting export and investment opportunities.”
Julie Harrington, Chief Executive, BHA added, “I'm delighted to be involved in this landmark trade mission representing the British racing industry at the Breeders' Cup. Whether it be through premium international race meetings where our best horses compete, or the transfer of quality young bloodstock between our nations, the American market has been, and continues to be, important for British racing and we hope the trade mission will be an important step in attracting further US investment into Britain.”
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