The Racing Foundation

The Racing Foundation is a United Kingdom-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting charitable causes within the horse racing and thoroughbred breeding industry. Registered with the Charity Commission under the number 1145297, it was established in 2012 following the sale of the Tote, a UK government-owned betting operation, with the principal aim of advancing charitable purposes related to the racing sector.

History and Purpose

The Foundation was founded with an endowment derived from the net proceeds of the Tote's sale. Its core mission is to foster sustainable development within the sport of horseracing by addressing key charitable issues across three main areas:

• Racing's people (including social welfare, training, and education)
• Equine welfare and science
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns

The organization works in partnership with major racing bodies, including the British Horseracing Authority, The Thoroughbred Group, and the Racecourse Association, who are its joint founding members.

Activities and Funding

The Racing Foundation invests its endowment funds to generate income that is then distributed through grants to charitable projects benefiting the horseracing and thoroughbred breeding industry. Since its inception, it has awarded over £39 million in grants.

The Foundation offers three types of grants:

• Small Grants: Up to £30,000 for projects aligned with its key strategic aims.
• Open Grants: Over £30,000, provided through a three-stage application process.
• Equine Research Grants: Annual grants for applied equine science research that delivers practical benefits to thoroughbred horseracing; funded projects are required to publish and publicize their findings.

The Foundation runs three funding rounds per year for most grants, supporting a range of charitable activities including staff development, community engagement, equine welfare research, and environmental initiatives within the industry.

Strategic Focus

The Racing Foundation’s strategic priorities aim to enhance the future sustainability of British horseracing by:

• Driving an industry-wide people strategy to attract, develop, and retain staff.
• Supporting equine welfare through research and practical initiatives.
• Promoting community engagement to broaden the sport’s reach and positive impact.
• Increasing awareness and action on environmental and emerging societal issues.

Governance and Financials

As a registered charity under English law, the Foundation operates with transparency and accountability. Its financial model relies on investment income and donations to fund charitable activities. Recent financial data indicates expenditures in the multimillion-pound range with investments held in the millions to sustain its grant-making capacity.

The Racing Foundation continues to be a key organization within the UK horseracing sector, leveraging partnerships and financial resources to create lasting legacies that benefit both the sport and the wider community.

[1] https://www.racingfoundation.co.uk/about/ [2] https://www.racingfoundation.co.uk [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/5024915 [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5024915/governing-document [5] https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/92852