Who we are – About us
We are the trade union for racing staff.
Our mission is to improve the economic and social wellbeing of our members.
We enhance our members’ status, pay and terms of conditions of employment. We watch over and promote and protect the common and individual interests of our members and regulate relations between members and employers.
We ensure the opportunity for education and training is available to all racing staff in order that they can achieve their full potential within their working lives and careers.
Our vision is for racing staff in the UK to be recognised as the best in the world and for this recognition to be reflected in status, pay and conditions — to organise our people to strive for a society that places equality, dignity and respect above all else.
Our history
2023
A reshuffle of the boards and governance at the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) sees a Commercial Committee formed. An advisory board formed of the Thoroughbred Group members (NARS, PJA, NTF, TBA, ROA), as well as the RCA (Racecourse Association), and Racecourse representatives of the Jockey Club, Arena Racing, Large Independents and Small Independents.
The ten around the table give advice and opinions for the BHA main board to make industry wide decisions for the best of the sport.
2022
The Horseman’s Group, that NARS is a stakeholder of rebrands as the Thoroughbred Group, representing the people in racing.
2021
NEP – The NARS Educational Programme is created, with a government decision on scrapping the Union Learning Fund, the association rebranded the education programme to bring it in house.
2017
The union renamed itself as the ‘National Association of Racing Staff.’
A Racecourse Inspections Programme was created, to work closer with all racecourses in helping to improve facilities at each venue for staff.
2012
George McGrath is elected as Chief Executive (Secretary).
Government funding was received via the Union Learning Fund for an Education Programme, to improve and deliver Education for the members.
2011
Following the successful negotiation with the BHA an increase in the prize money distribution for the association rose from 0.15% to 0.25%.
2009
The association affiliated with the Trades Union Congress.
2006
The association become a co member/stakeholder of the Horseman’s Group, the group combining the PJA (Professional Jockeys Association), NTF (National Trainers Federation), TBA (Thoroughbred Breeders Association) and the ROA (Racehorse Owners Association).
Bill Adams resigns as Secretary of the Association.
2001
The BHB amended the Rules of Racing. Order 194 governs the way prize money is distributed. This saw the Stable Lads Association receive 0.15% of prize money. This also abolished the annual subscriptions from members, meaning anyone registered on the Stable Employee Register would be an automatic member of the Association.
1994
The British Horseracing Board (BHB) agreed to make payments to the SLA for the purpose of assisting the Stable Lads Association in its welfare work.
1986
Bill Adams becomes Secretary of the Association.
1985
Viv Baldwin took on the role of acting Secretary.
1975
Many stable staff went on strike at Newmarket Racecourse, standing across the track and refusing to let horses down to the start. They went on strike for better working conditions, but the strike was met with hostility from trainers, jockeys and racegoers. At the time staff were members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU). It was settled but many strikers were not allowed to return to their jobs despite the settlement including a no victimisation clause. Some won cases at industrial tribunals.
The ‘Stables Lads Association’ was formed.
Disillusioned with the TGWU, many broke away to form the Stable Lads Association, the idea for which was Viv Baldwin’s, who enlisted John Oaksey and Jimmy Hill to help set it up. Tommy Delaney, a former jockey, became its first secretary in late 1975 until his passing in 1985.