Kindred has extended its partnership with Women in Racing on the Racing Home programme, which aims to educate stakeholders within the racing industry about motherhood and parenthood. 

Racing Home has now launched an online educational portal as well as a rehabilitation programme and a podcast series to further support working parents. This offers guidance to mothers returning to riding post-pregnancy, as well as a series of podcasts hosted by equine vet, Naomi Mellor.

Henrik Tjärnström, Chief Executive Officer of Kindred Group, stated: “The aims of the Racing Home platform are closely aligned to Kindred’s sustainability strategy and our ambition to achieve a 50:50 gender split in senior management. 

“It is important for us to offer our employees a positive working/family-balance, with a supportive workplace as we truly believe that is how our employees perform their best. We are proud to partner with Women in Racing on the Racing Home initiative to support working parents in the industry further.”

The firm also reported that working parents can face ‘significant challenges’, as it looks to supply employees and those who are self-employed within the racing industry easy access to information about rights and entitlements.

This information would be regarding pregnancy, maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, flexible working, self-employment and statutory pay, with a particular focus on women and those thinking about starting a family.

“Women in Racing are incredibly proud to be working with Kindred Group and to launch our initiatives of the Racing Home project,” added Tallulah Lewis, Women in Racing Chair. “The work we have been undertaking has identified some serious challenges faced by mothers and parents working in the horseracing industry. 

“Two years of research and webinars have led to Women in Racing in tandem with Simply Racing and the industry stakeholders developing meaningful solutions that will positively impact the working lives of many. We are convinced that these initiatives will bring significant positive change to many peoples lives.”