Thoroughbred professionals from around the globe gathered at Dalham Hall Stud at Newmarket last week to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the industry as part of the Godolphin Forum For Education.
Representatives from the United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, France, Dubai, Japan and Australia attended the three-day forum, which considered the areas of education and community engagement and development.
The strong theme that came out of the Forum was the universal nature of the challenges that are faced in the various countries across the world.
"We've been talking about the challenges and opportunities for racing across the world," British Horseracing Association chair Annamarie Phelps said.
"One of the biggest ones is around people. How do we first of all retain staff that we've already got, make sure that we are looking after them? Secondly, how do we attract future generations to be part of the sport across all of the many opportunities that are in horse racing."
"How do we attract future generations to be part of the sport across all of the many opportunities that are in horse racing." - Annamarie Phelps
Among the Australian representatives at the Forum was Thoroughbred Industry Careers CEO Lindy Maurice, who was also keen to highlight the importance of staff development.
"The way we look after our staff and the way we respect the future workforce is really important," she said
Champion trainer John Gosden addressed the Forum and emphasised the importance of open and honest discussion for the future benefit of the industry.
"There is nothing more relevant than what we are here for now. I think some of it is outmoded and we need to look carefully at that," he said.
John Gosden (left) emphasised the importance of open and honest discussion
The group came up with a number of strategies which it would like to see the industry implement within the next three years in order to leverage assets. To make the industry greater than the sum of its parts, and to attract, engage, inspire and retain the commitment of future generations.
"To bring our vision to life, we need to take concerted action. At our forum, we have started the development of three-year plans at national and global levels, setting out how we aim to work together," a statement from the forum read.
"These plans will be published early in 2020, but before then, a number of immediate actions have already been agreed, including the setting up of a global group to co-ordinate activities."
"A number of immediate actions have already been agreed, including the setting up of a global group to co-ordinate activities." - Forum Statement
"Perhaps the most important message that we wish to convey to you at this stage is that we have never felt more united in our determination to use education and development to enrich the lives of more people, and to engage them within our great industry. We urge you to join us, and to contribute your energy and assets to the achievement of our global vision and mission."
The group will provide an update in the progress of the implementation of the strategies by March, with a commitment to 'make sure that our efforts are sustained until our vision becomes reality'.
