Written by Administrator | 04 June 2010

Horse racing is growing significantly in Britain's economy. In 2005, the total economic impact of the British Racing was £2.5 billion (or €4.1b), combining direct, indirect and induced expenses. The expenditures included in this amount are £870 million (or €1.2b) direct expenses of the core racing industry, £180 million (or €259m) for off-course like travel, accommodation or betting papers and £1.8 billion (or €2.6m) for secondary expenses.

 

(*Statistics pertaining to horse racing were taken from the June 2006 report by Deloitte "Economic Impact of British Racing" on behalf of British Horse Racing Board.)

Equestrian Trade and Employment

Due to the varying definitions of the word 'employment' as well as the number of unpaid voluntary help, it is difficult to put figures to verify the employment rates in the horse industry. As previously mentioned regarding the structure of the industry, the trade consists of businesses that supply goods and services to the core such as wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers of horse and horse rider equipment, as well as feed and healthcare items.

Current estimation of active companies is over 4,300, consisting of 2,000 Saddlers and feed traders and 1,800 suppliers; all these offering around 20,000 full-time employments.

One good thing about the equestrian business is that it calls for specialist type of businesses that require skilled individuals with specific knowledge. Right now, 19,000 firms service the required specialist information, products and services providing full-time jobs to at least 28,500 employees. These firms include almost 100 equestrian magazines of specific services (Trainer Magazine), disciplines (British Dressage) and general equestrian activities (Horse and Rider). There are more than 1,200 livery yards, 2,000 studs, 1,100 riding schools and 2,500 farriers. There is also a wide assortment of specialist equipment along with service providers from mechanical simulators to photographers, journalists and dealers.

Horse Racing Employment

As compared with other sports where full time core employees mainly consist of playing, coaching and club admin staff, horse racing has a more extensive employment organizational structure and thus, more employees. There are trainers, breeders, jockeys, riders and administrative staff working part time and full time in the core industry.

The 400 thoroughbred breeders, 500 Trainers and 600 jockeys active in the horse racing industry provide full time jobs to 7,800 people. Adding other core employment groups such as racecourse operators, auctioneers and regulatory bodies, total part time and full time job equivalents (FTEs) reach 18,825 from the core alone. Secondary economic activities create additional jobs of 25,500 approximately (construction and betting jobs not included). Approximately 2,300 are employed in businesses directly related to the horse racing industry like vets, farriers and horse transportation.

The total number of direct full time employment for the three areas of the equestrian industry combined is 67,325 while there are about 100,000 to 200,000 indirect employments.

Total Horse Industry Employment

The figure above gives the horse industry a total employment of 167,000 to 267,000. In comparison, there are 381,000 jobs for sporting and recreational activities and 234,000 for hunting, agriculture and related activities, both of which overlap with the industry of horse racing to some extent.