ROA weekly update

Dear Owners,

This week has seen considerable progress on the vital support being provided to sustain racing through this period. As this crisis continues, racing will have to help the most vulnerable in the sport to protect businesses, horses and the industry. As well as looking at Government support, I have been encouraged by racing’s willingness to work together and directly help its community.

This evening the Levy Board and Racing Foundation announced an new £22m financial support package to support those people, businesses and communities struggling with the effects of COVID-19. The emergency package, targeting those most in need, is a significant step towards helping to sustain this industry. Funds will be available for yards, jockeys, stable staff and racecourses among others as well as targeting the welfare of horses.

We understand that some owners, as the lifeblood of the industry, are struggling too. Within the package, the ROA have led the creation of a new industry scheme – the Racing Relief Fund – to meet the welfare needs of horses whose owners are suffering financial hardship. For us, it is important to try and provide some security to those horses who are most at risk as a direct result of COVID-19. We will be providing further details in due course.

As a sport, this emergency funding was needed quickly to help those most in need and I am proud that we are working to protect those that keep our sport alive. I would like to thank everyone, all of you for your continued support over the past month, as well as  the  trainers, who have worked so hard to try and ease costs and maintain the excellent care for horses in these most trying of times.

It gives me confidence that, as a community, everyone is working hard to make sure this industry, a sport we all love, survives and can be ready to get back on its feet as soon as possible. We are – as work continues - all looking forward to the day racing resumes.

There will be more challenges but rest assured we will keep working to support our industry and support you as owners.

As ever, if you have any question or would like to get in touch, we are available on [email protected]

Full guidance on COVID-19 and the package is available here.

I hope you all have a good weekend and keep safe.

Yours sincerely

 

Charlie Liverton

Chief Executive

Racehorse Owners Association