UK Racing has hailed the success of the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG) which this year launched its #ALLINTHERACE campaign.
In a bid to improve diversity, inclusion and equality standards for racing stakeholders, the DIE campaign was supported by over 30 racing organisations in helping DiRSG’s research and education directives.
The group’s comments featured in its ‘Review on 2022’, in which it also noted a series of ‘positive developments and industry firsts’ changing the face of UK racing.
On the track, Hollie Doyle set a new record for a female jockey in a British championship season, finishing an impressive second to William Buick.
Susannah Gill, Chair of the Diversity in Racing Steering Group, said: “2022 has proved to be another year of progress, with a notable highlight for the Diversity in Racing Steering Group being the launch of the first-ever diversity media campaign for British racing, All in the Race (#ALLINTHERACE) which will continue to be the central message for our work, supported by stakeholders across the sport.”
Further racing achievements saw Ashleigh Wicheard, travelling assistant for Neil Mulholland, win the Magnolia Cup charity race during Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Wicheard’s win hit global headlines, as the jockey led her fellow riders in a taking of the knee prior to the race to promote equality in sports.
Off track, Brian Finch was appointed chair of Epsom Downs Racecourse, the first Black person to hold such a senior position within the sport.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Code of Conduct came into force, with the aim of promoting respect and a fairer, more inclusive sport for all participants.
Racing DIE initiatives have been strengthened as diversity and inclusion is now taught specifically on jockey licensing courses to the next generation of racing’s workforce.
The Racing Foundation will continue to fund the DiRSG which, in turn, will continue its founding mandate to ‘create an inclusive sport’, reflective of British society.
In 2023, the DiRSG will launch and support the new initiatives of the Riding a Dream Academy, Racing Pathway, The Pony Racing Authority, Careers in Racing, Racing to School, Autism in Racing and National Racehorse Week.
