Representation

The Thoroughbred Group consists of members from the representative bodies within racing including the TBA, National Trainers Federation (NTF), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), and the National Association of Racing Staff (NARS). The group works to ensure that the interests in racing are protected through the return of revenue to prize money, a sustainable race programme for the horse population and by presenting a single voice for campaigning on issues of mutual interest.

The TBA is also represented on a number of BHA committees and working groups which cover flat and jump racing, fixtures, funding, bonus schemes, Brexit, taxation, education and training. 

The international thoroughbred breeding community also has a number of groups of which the TBA is a member. The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations (EFTBA), and the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF), gather periodically to discuss issues affecting the thoroughbred breeding industry. The International Collating Centre (ICC), an equine infectious disease surveillance service, is funded by member contributions from the ITBF. Horse health, horse movements and genomic studies have been recent topics of discussion for the conferences.

Thoroughbreds and the wider equine breeding sector are represented by the TBA on the British Horse Council (BHC), and the All Party Parliamentary Group for the horse. The BHC, formed in 2018, aims to build strong relationships and a better understanding of the collective challenges within the sector and become an instigator of positive change in equine health and welfare. For Government, the BHC also provides expertise and knowledge, participating in consultation to ensure the detail of any relevant legislation is also practical.  

A few examples of crucial and successful political lobbying campaigns the TBA were involved in include:

• Eligibility for Single Farm Payments and maintaining the Stud Farms’ rating allowance for breeders
• Lifting the trade restrictions with India
• Lobbying DEFRA ministers to ensure eligibility for CAP for stud farms under the recent reforms is retained
• Preventing withdrawal of the requirements for notifiable diseases CEM and EVA and safeguarding £30million of annual export trade
• Supporting the introduction of Tripartite Agreement, allowing the free movement of Thoroughbreds between the UK, Ireland and France to be maintained
• Supported the international efforts to convince the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to reverse a decision on the minimum time permitted for the transport of pregnant mares
• Co-funding Chinese Government Officials visit leading to the compiling and signing of the protocol for the live export of horses from the UK to China