Inaugural Syndicate Manager Conference A Huge Success

50 syndicate managers gathered at Warwick Racecourse onJanuary 22nd for the inaugural Syndicate Managers Conference. Event included speakers from the BHA, RCA, Great British Racing, The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Co., The ROA and Retraining Of Racehorses in first event if its kind

The conference was the brainchild of Racecourse Syndicates Association (RSA) Chair, Dan Abraham. It was open to not just RSA Members but all commercial syndicate and racing club managers operating in the UK. Racing industry professionals and businesses attended to network with the delegates and speakers from key industry stakeholders presented on areas relevant to syndicates and racing clubs.

The day opened with Harry Williams, Head of Participant Services at the BHA reporting on the progress that is being made with the licensing of syndicators plus the progress of Racing Digital which will be rolled out in the coming months to replace the racing admin platform used by owners and trainers.  Harry highlighted particular areas of the new platform that will benefit syndicate managers.

Next up was a two-person presentation from the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA).Chief Executive, Louise Norman, who led with a report on the progress that the ROA has made since she moved into her current role and how the ROA is working in collaboration with the RSA to build confidence that the ROA is representing syndicate and racing club member interests in the same way as for single owners.  Kate Freeman then spoke on the ROA’s work in improving owner relations and their plans for future development and improvement in this area.

It’s great to be working collaboratively with the RSA to support all owners involved in British racing and looking forward to 2025 and building the unified Owners’s voice https://t.co/mdYI5sWdD0

— Racehorse Owners Association (@RacehorseOwners) January 22, 2025

Event organiser and RSA Committee Member Phil Boyle of BG Racing Syndicates noted:

“During an excellent lunch from the Warwick catering team it was great to see the room buzzing with syndicate managers, speakers and other industry representatives, networking and sharing their experiences, ideas and concerns.”

 After lunch came a very speedy RSA AGM led by Dan Abraham, Dan then stayed to lead a panel discussion with Rebecca Davies from Arena Racecourses, Nadia Powell from Jockey Club Racecourses and Tabby Killingworth from the Racecourse Association.  After the initial discussion, several questions from the floor were answered and suggestions from the delegates were taken away for further consideration.

Thank you to @RSAsyndicates and @DanAbraham01 for inviting me to be part of yesterday’s Conference.

Was great to meet and chat with many syndicate managers and discuss how we can work together to continually improve the racecourse experience across @arenaracingco pic.twitter.com/yeNom4gwO6

— Rebecca Davies (@RebDav12) January 23, 2025

Henry Taylor from Weatherbys Bank was next. A number of syndicate managers have expressed frustration over the demands that have been placed on them and their members by the bank in recent months and it was great to see that Henry was willing to brave a potentially hostile crowd to explain the bank’s position and to answer questions from the delegates.

Davina Grewal from the ROA presented details of the ROA VAT solution and the conference was concluded with a presentation from David Catlow, Managing Director of Retraining of Racecourses (ROR), reporting on the work being carried out by ROR and key areas where syndicate managers could play their part in improving the traceability and welfare of retired racehorses.

It was testimony to the success of the event that many of the attendees remained in the room at the conclusion of the conference to continue networking and discussing the various areas highlighted by the various presenters.

Dan Abraham, RSA Chairman said in his closing remarks:

“A Syndicate Manager Conference was long overdue. Many thanks to Warwick Racecourse for their excellent hosting, our delegates for attending and being such great participants and, of course, our brilliant speakers for giving their time and expertise. As in many industries, progress often stalls where there are a number of conflicting stakeholders – we believe that getting together and discussing key issues in person can only be a step in the right direction for racing”