Horserace Betting Levy Board

In addition to the allocation approved by HBLB of £1.8m (2017: £1.55m), the Racing Foundation will again be supporting equine veterinary scientific research, providing £200,000 towards two of the major projects beginning this year.

Research priorities and scope

The Racing Foundation is interested in equine science research that has demonstrable practical benefits to Thoroughbred horseracing. Applicants submitting proposals through the Equine Grants System will be asked to indicate whether they wish their projects to be considered by the HBLB, the Foundation or both.  All applications will be subject to the normal HBLB review process.

SMALL PROJECT GRANTS                                          
Application deadline is 2pm on Monday 10 September 2018

This fund supports research focusing on specific issues of direct and immediate practical importance to the Thoroughbred.  The grants are open to individuals employed by veterinary schools, universities and research institutes, veterinary practitioners or elsewhere in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.  HBLB is particularly interested in receiving applications from clinicians, farriers and others involved directly in the care of horses in training yards.  Projects are limited to one year with costs limited to £10,000.  The application pack and form will appear in the ‘Advancing Veterinary Science and Education’ section on the HBLB website. This will be available from 23 April 2018.

EDUCATION AWARDS                                                
Application deadline is 2pm on Monday 18 June 2018

The different awards are as follows:

• Veterinary Research Training Scholarships offer 4-year funding to pursue a PhD programme in any scientific or veterinary field relevant to equines and particularly the racing, breeding or rearing of Thoroughbreds.

Research Training Scholarships are open to veterinary graduates or non-veterinary science graduates.   The requirements regarding the subject of the PhD will be the same for graduates in either discipline.

• Senior Equine Clinical Scholarships allow veterinary graduates with at least 2 years’ practical experience to train for a higher qualification, such as a European Diploma, over 4 years. The qualification must be in an equine field with particular relevance to the Thoroughbred.

Applications for both types of award must be made by the prospective supervisor within an eligible institution, such as a university veterinary school, other university department or research institute. Awards include a tax-free stipend to cover living costs and an expense allowance for research costs and other purposes directly relevant to the scholarship.

For full information and to apply, please download an application pack and form from the ‘Advancing Veterinary Science and Education’ section on www.hblb.org.uk. This will be available from 23 April 2018.

EQUINE POST DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP               
Application deadline is 2pm on Monday 18 June 2018

The HBLB is again inviting applications from recent veterinary PhD graduates for a post-doctoral fellowship. 

Introduced in 2016, the Equine Post Doctoral Fellowships are aimed at exceptional veterinary PhDs, with the skills and aptitude to develop a leading academic or clinical academic career in equine veterinary sciences. The area of research must be focused on Thoroughbred racing, breeding or rearing.  The fellowship will be tenable for three years. 

For full information and to apply, please download an application pack and form from the ‘Advancing Veterinary Science and Education’ section on www.hblb.org.uk. This will be available from 23 April 2018.

For further information please contact Annie Dodd, Grants Manager at the Levy Board, on:

020 7333 0043 or equine.grants@hblb.org.uk.

Notes for editors:

The Horserace Betting Levy Board is a statutory body operating in accordance with the provisions of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 (as amended). Its purpose is to assess and collect monetary contributions from bookmakers via a levy, which it distributes for the improvement of horseracing and breeds of horses, and for the advancement of veterinary science and education.

The outcomes of HBLB-funded work are published in peer reviewed scientific journals and lay summaries are available at racehorsehealth.hblb.org.uk.

The Racing Foundation was established in January 2012 to oversee the distribution of funds to charitable causes within racing following the sale of the Tote. The British Horseracing Authority, the Horsemen’s Group and Racecourse Association are the three joint Members of the charity, which is registered with the Charity Commission as a charity under the law of England and Wales (no. 1145297). Since inception, the Racing Foundation has granted just over £6 million and pledged a further £1.8 million to charities associated with the horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry in the UK, supporting work in social welfare, education, training and participation, horse welfare, equine science research, and heritage and culture.

The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is the only official body representing thoroughbred breeders in Great Britain. Membership is open to everyone with an interest in breeding Thoroughbreds, be it as an active breeder or an interested follower, in the UK, Europe and beyond.

The BEBF is the British division of the European Breeders Fund which was established in 1983 and is funded predominantly by contributions from stallion owners in member countries.  Over €100m has now been allocated to the European racing industry by the EBF. 

The HBLB’s agreed strategic research priorities are:

1. Improved prevention of current and emerging infectious diseases by the development of more effective vaccines, diagnostic tools, biosecurity and management strategies;
2. Improved training environment and racecourse design and surfaces, riding strategies, tack and equipment to enhance the safety, health and well-being of racehorses;
3. Improved methods of identification, management and prevention of musculoskeletal disease and injury in Thoroughbreds;
4. Improved male and female reproductive efficiency;
5. Identification of effective, appropriate and evidence-based methods to help the immediate post-racing transition of the racing Thoroughbred to new activities.

ENDS