Sports Economy Breeders Cup Trade Mission

Applications open

The UK’s Department for Business and Trade are pleased to offer UK headquartered companies the opportunity to take part in the 2023 Sports Economy Breeders Cup Trade Mission.

Overview

US investors represent a key opportunity for British horseracing. American owners and trainers are strongly engaged in British sales and bloodstock, the number of horses purchased annually by US investors at British bloodstock sales has increased twofold since 2015.

The UK horseracing industry also has a strong track record of fan engagement that has been raised by key stakeholders in the US as an area of strong interest for them. The Sports Economy Team at DBT has been working with key players across the British Horseracing industry including Great British Racing International (GBRI), the Jockey Club, the British Horseracing Authority and the Tote Group to promote the sport and support businesses that are working in or around the industry.

Our trade mission will take companies from UK headquartered companies to the Los Angeles for a programme of activity around the Breeders Cup, the annual series of Grade 1 thoroughbred horse races.

Programme

Wednesday 1 November 

• Participants arrive in LA

• Evening Welcome Reception hosted by UK Government

• Event will be attended by key UK and US horse racing stakeholders and international guests

Thursday 2 November

• Site visits

• Opportunity to attend the second World Tote Association Forum. Full details and registration are available at https://wota-forum.events/. 

• Opportunity for independently arranged meetings 

Friday 3 November

• Morning track work
• 1-2-1 meetings between UK businesses and US target stakeholders
• Optional bespoke meetings arranged for businesses with key target stakeholders
• Attendees may wish to attend the Friday of the Breeders' Cup at their own expense

Saturday 4 November

• Breeders’ Cup programme – access to dedicated networking and hospitality area

What companies are we looking for?

• Horseracing industry businesses
• Fan engagement businesses
• Sport technology business
• Sport sustainability businesses

Who is our target audience when in the US?

• Businesses involved in horse racing
• Potential investors/sponsors/partnerships
• US/International media
• Racecourses interested in emulating the model of British success (Keeneland interested in the Jockey Club model)

We look forward to working with you on an informative and engaging Trade Mission that will allow you to connect directly with potential clients and partners.

Please note that travel and accommodation costs will be at the companies’ expense.

The Department for Business and Trade will provide for costs associated with stakeholder meetings, attendance at reception events and the Saturday of the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita on 4th November.

Only 1 representative from each individual company will be able to attend, with a maximum of 10 companies included in the Trade Mission. The selection of those 10 companies will be to the sole discretion of the Department for Business and Trade.

Programme elements listed may change dependent on outside factors.

By applying to take part in the Trade Mission you agree to inform the Department for Business and Trade of any future market export success in the United States of America.

Dates:  Wednesday 1 November 2023 to Saturday 4 November 2023

Where: Los Angeles, California, USA

Email:  sports@trade.gov.uk

Applications close: 31 July 2023

Applications are only open to UK headquartered companies.

Population: 339.6 million

Size: About 40 times the size of the UK

Capital: Washington D.C.

The United States was the UK’s largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2022 (ONS: 2022).