Horseracing Industry PhD – helping inform key industry issues with quality research

The PhD will be structured as a PhD by papers, this is a combination of published and unpublished work organised into papers/manuscripts. The focus will be on quantitative analysis providing capability in an area where the horseracing industry is weak. Whilst there is in many areas no shortage of data, an ability to truly mine, assess and interpret this has been lacking. The subjects will be selected by the University of Liverpool in conjunction with the Racing Foundation, ensuring that the research is focused on subjects that are relevant to the horseracing industry.
The Horseracing Industry Conference run by the University and the Racing Foundation is January this year, based on THIMBA projects highlighted that potential of research on key industry issues.
The following list highlights some of the subject areas that could be considered. The list is not exhaustive nor is it specific in terms of detailing the precise research that could be performed, it is envisaged that this would come out of a dialogue between the University and the Racing Foundation. The initial list of broad areas is:
• Customer Demand projects, building on initial attendance and betting analysis by UoL:
o Race programme structure
o Prize money balance/allocation
o Horses in Training
• Diversity/Inclusivity related subjects, focus on priorities from the industry:
o Sports engagement (urban areas, other sports comparisons)
o Stable staff
o Jockeys (build on initial MBA study)
o Ownership
o Attendance
• Stable Staff related issues:
o Recruitment and retention (data required, identified by 2017 MBA project)
o Efficacy of recruitment activities/campaigns
o Working practices in yards (data tbd)
• Equine Welfare related issues (non-veterinary, e.g. Course by course faller analysis).

It is planned that the selection of the research subjects would depend on their significance to the industry, the ability of targeted quantitative analysis to add value/insight and the potential for the study to drive evidence-based decision-making. Given the duration of the PhD study being between 3-6 years (the longer period for a part-time student) subjects will be selected during the duration of the PhD. The initial feedback from the Racing Foundation has determined that the first research paper should be in the area of diversity within the horseracing industry.

The deadline for applications is Friday 19 October at 5pm.

Application queries should be submitted to the University of Liverpool, Management School Research team – [Email Address Removed]