Jockey Club announces groundbreaking sustainability project for British racing
The Jockey Club has announced a pioneering collaboration with carbon and natural capital specialists, Trinity AgTech and biodiversity consultants YourPact to measure the environmental impact of five of its sites across England.
The pilot project is the first of its kind in British racing and will measure carbon emissions, carbon capture and removal and biodiversity at Newmarket’s training grounds and racecourses, The National Stud and Haydock Park and Market Rasen racecourses.
Gathering multi-site and independently verified data is a crucial step in providing objective, robust insights which will help The Jockey Club develop their environmental sustainability strategy and ensure positive environmental impact is a central consideration when reinvesting its profits back into racing.
“Sandy”, Trinity AgTech’s award-winning technology platform, will be used to create a biodiversity score for each of the sites which will help to assess the current levels of biodiversity and understand how future projects, such as creating wildflower areas, can not only provide essential habitats for wildlife but also increase carbon removal.
The project has been funded by The Racing Foundation via the inaugural Green Award at the RCA’s Showcase Awards in 2022, won by The Jockey Club for their “Going Green” Programme.
The Racing Foundation are working closely with The Jockey Club to target environmental action in the horseracing industry as part of their continued focus on this key area, with both parties committed to supporting research and projects which can be used to improve the sustainability of the entire industry through research and knowledge exchange.
Commenting on the collaboration, Kirstin McEvoy, Sustainability Manager at The Jockey Club, said,
"Preserving the environment for future generations is a core part of The Jockey Club’s mission to build a more sustainable future for British racing.
“We have to have a positive impact on the world around us both today and in the future and partnering with YourPact and Trinity AgTech is another significant step in enhancing our responsible environmental stewardship.
“We are committed to using the latest technology to do this and this exciting project will also enable us to share the findings with other racecourses and spread the benefit across the industry.”
Bethan Pugh, Director of YourPact, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "Our mission at YourPact is to provide environmental solutions for organisations, particularly focusing on biodiversity and carbon removal projects. We are thrilled to work with The Jockey Club and Trinity AgTech and to support them with the tools and expertise needed to achieve their goals."
Anna Woodley, Managing Director of Business Development at Trinity AgTech, added, "We are delighted to be part of this pivotal project, which emphasises the potential of technology to drive sustainability in land-based industries. The horseracing industry has a huge amount of potential when it comes to land-based environmental solutions, and we are thrilled that Sandy can help The Jockey Club with accurate measurement and insights relating to its natural capital."
The collaborative effort marks a significant milestone in the move towards sustainable practices within the sports and entertainment industries. The project demonstrates the power of technology and partnership in addressing environmental challenges and driving positive change in the UK.