The Jockey Club follows BHA by placing up to 400 staff on furlough leave

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The Jockey Club becomes latest major racing body to stand down staff by placing up to 400 employees on furlough leave

  • The historic Jockey Club has furloughed close to two thirds of its workforce
  • Those involved come from catering, marketing, sales and sponsorship 
  • The decision has been made with the long-term aim of protecting jobs

By Marcus Townend for the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

The Jockey Club, which should have been hosting the opening of the three-day Aintree Grand National meeting on Thursday, has become the latest major racing body to stand down staff.

Racemail understands the historic organisation, which was formed in 1750 and has 15 British racecourse, has furloughed up to 400 of its staff — close to two thirds of its workforce.

Those involved come from all parts of the business including catering, marketing, sales and sponsorship but the decision has been made with the long-term aim of protecting jobs.

The Jockey Club should have been hosting the three-day Aintree Grand National meeting

What does ‘furlough’ mean?

When an employee is placed on furlough they are temporarily put on a leave of absence and not paid, although they remain on the payroll, meaning that they do not lose their job.

This could be because there is no work for these employees, or that the company is not able to afford to pay them, because of the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

In the United Kingdom, the Government is offering to pay 80 per cent of a furloughed employee’s wages, up to £2,500 per month, until they are able to resume their job full time.

Staff have been retained who will make sure the Jockey Club’s tracks will be in a position to host action, albeit under restrictions, when the current shutdown finally ends.

The Jockey Club’s decision follows last week’s announcement that the British Horseracing Authority was standing down 80 per cent of its staff.

The news emerged on the day the charity Racing Welfare announced it was streamlining the application process for the provision of Covid-19 hardship grants for anyone working in the British horseracing and breeding industry.

The fortnightly grants — £150 for a single applicant and £210 for a family (£210) — are designed to help those who are in need of immediate financial assistance due to the outbreak to cover basic needs such as food, electricity and heating.

Meanwhile, Britain’s biggest betting operators have confirmed their plan to bet on Saturday’s Virtual Reality Grand National with any profits being donated to NHS Charities Together, the umbrella organisation which represents over 140 NHS charities.

The initiative has the backing of Betting and Gaming Council members including bet365, William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Ladbrokes, BetFred, Betway, BetVictor, JenningsBet and the Tote.

Starting prices will be fixed while bets will be restricted to £10 win or £10 each-way (£20) with bookmakers paying on the first five places.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: ‘This is a chance for the nation to come together and enjoy the Grand National experience in the absence of the real thing and to continue the tradition of having a fun flutter on the day.

‘It is only fitting that all bookmaker profits on the race should go to the NHS for the heroic work they are doing during these difficult times. Given the popularity of the Grand National, we hope that the virtual version helps raise a significant sum of money for this wonderful cause.’

 

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