British Racing Launches Group to Tackle Behavior Issues

British racing Dec. 14 launched a plan to address behavioral issues in the sport in the wake of the Robbie Dunne bullying case.

At its heart will be a dedicated cross-racing working party to ensure the sport "remains a progressive, modern industry when it comes to the conduct of our people."

The British Horseracing Authority, National Trainers Federation, Professional Jockeys Association, National Association of Racing Staff, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, and Racecourse Association issued a joint statement detailing their commitment to taking wide-ranging action in offering support and education to racing's participants around behavior.

The proposals, which come just days after Dunne was banned for 18 months for bullying and harassing fellow rider Bryony Frost, include a new code of conduct which is "properly communicated, explained, and understood and that achieves its objectives of raising standards of behavior" and an action plan underpinned by research into positive changes from other industries.

The joint statement read: "British racing is a diverse industry where individuals of varying identities and from a wide range of backgrounds work and compete side by side. It is a sport characterized by the shared values of camaraderie and conscientiousness which come hand in hand with working in an elite sport alongside equine athletes.

"It is essential that horse racing remains a progressive, modern industry when it comes to the conduct of our people. We must prioritize the well-being and development of our workforce, stand against discrimination of any kind in British racing, and invest in making racing a safe, fulfilling place to work."

People will also be encouraged to highlight behavior, which falls below expectations, while representatives from the bodies involved will form the new group.

Another of its aims is to finalize and introduce a new code of conduct by the spring.

"Great progress has already been made by the industry in terms of improving standards around training, education, employment practices, well-being, safeguarding, and career development, with the entire sport involved in making racing a better place to work," the statement added.

"However, there is always more that can and must be done. We must encourage a culture of openness and seek to support anyone who faces problems or has found themselves in difficulty.

"We must promote a culture of respect in how those involved in racing interact with one another and promote more diversity and inclusion at all levels of the industry.

"The signatories to this statement, therefore, today publicly commit to further improve standards, education, and training around industry conduct, through the formation of a dedicated cross-industry working party."