The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Name

The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Legal name

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association

Website

https://thetba.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Breed Association Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (1152)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Racing Associations, Governance & Integrity Services (MPAEADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Breeding & Bloodstock (Stud Farms, Sales/Auctions) (MPAEADAH), Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab) (AFAEALAN)

Keywords

• Breed association services
• Thoroughbred breeding membership
• Equine education programmes
• Horse breed promotion
• Bloodstock industry advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Newmarket

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual and recurring membership fees providing access to member benefits, exclusive content, training resources, and industry representation. Membership software by ReadyMembership.
2. Event Fees: Fees charged for educational courses, training programmes, and industry events. Prices vary per event and delegate, with VAT applied at standard rate. Fees include tuition, materials, and refreshments where specified.
3. Publications and Products: Sale of publications, guides, and potentially other products through the website. Subject to separate purchase terms.
4. Donations: The organization is a registered charity (number 1134293) and accepts donations to support its mission. Donations are non-refundable.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) operates as a membership-based breed association that provides services, training, advocacy, and breed promotion schemes for the British Thoroughbred breeding industry. Its core offering combines annual membership subscriptions (Full and Essentials tiers) with industry-leading education (TB-Ed, Stud Farming Course, Entry to Stud Employment Programme), equine health services including veterinary research funding, and incentive schemes such as the Great British Bonus (up to £100,000 in bonuses) and the Elite NH Mares' Scheme (subsidised stallion nominations). The organisation also runs industry awards, networking events, and acts as the unified representative voice for British breeders with regulators and industry partners.

Product overview

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) operates as a membership-based breed association offering a portfolio of services including membership packages (Full and Essentials tiers), breeding incentive programmes (Great British Bonus Scheme, Elite NH Mares' Scheme), education and training (TB-Ed platform, Stud Farming Course, Entry to Stud Employment Programme), equine health services, industry awards, and events. The organisation does not offer a unified software platform but provides member services, advocacy, and industry coordination for British Thoroughbred breeding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TBA Full Membership Annual membership package providing access to expert-led courses, events, industry resources, advocacy services, breed promotion schemes, and equine health support for Thoroughbred breeders and bloodstock operations of all sizes.
• TBA Essentials (Associate) Subscription Associate subscription tier providing enthusiasts with access to TBA resources, content, and selected events without the full breeder membership benefits.
• Great British Bonus (GBB) Scheme Industry-wide prize scheme offering up to £100,000 in bonuses to owners, breeders, and connections of British-bred fillies and mares across Flat and National Hunt racing.
• Elite NH Mares' Scheme Scheme providing subsidised and free nominations to 23 eligible British-based stallions for owners of proven National Hunt broodmares, with grants of £4,000-£5,000 based on mare ratings.
• TB-Ed Education Platform Exclusive online courses covering key areas of Thoroughbred breeding, including stud farm administration and broodmare nutrition, taught by leading industry experts.
• Stud Farming Course Three-day annual residential course held at the British Racing School covering stud management topics with veterinary and industry experts; includes lunches, refreshments, dinner, and online course materials.
• Entry to Stud Employment Programme (E2SE) Training programme run with the National Stud providing a route for adults to enter the Thoroughbred breeding industry, including a 9-week residential training course and paid placements.
• TBA Insurance Services Third Party Liability Policy and Stud Employee Accident Benefit Scheme offered to TBA members.
• Industry Studies and Economic Impact Reports Economic Impact Studies (EIS) and GBRI Annual Reviews providing data on the Thoroughbred breeding industry for members and the wider public.

Quantifiable outcome

• Scheme has helped increase elite NH broodmares from ~150 to 300 in a decade
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WeatherbyscoreOthersIndustry body with which TBA shares member data for running various schemes including the Breeders Badge Scheme and Great British Bonus. Data sharing enables scheme administration and verification.
• RCA (Racecourse Association)coreOthersIndustry body partnered with for running the Breeders Badge Scheme and Great British Bonus. RCA supports prize money and racing incentive schemes for British-bred horses.
• British EBF (European breeders' Federation)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBritish EBF provides £2,000,000 to racing prize money in 2024 and supports the Junior NH Hurdle programme. Chairman Simon Sweeting leads strategic support for NH development initiatives.
• Goffs UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for NH Stallion Showcase during January Sales and new Pinhooking Forum. Managing Director Tim Kent supports engaging new audiences. Partnership for stallion events and industry forums.
• BHA (British Horseracing Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory partner for industry initiatives including Junior NH Hurdles development, Elite NH Mares' Scheme support, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy. TBA Trustee Simon Cox appointed as BHA Chairman.
• High-Quality Horse GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for the Elite NH Mares' Scheme, contributing to the increased £400,000 budget for 2026.
• National StudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Entry to Stud Employment Programme (E2SE), providing 9-week residential training course for adults entering the thoroughbred industry. Training Director Tabbi Smith oversees programme delivery.
• British Racing SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for the annual Stud Farming Course, providing facilities for the three-day educational programme covering stud management topics.
• IFAR (International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBA supports IFAR initiatives for retired racehorse aftercare. Dr Paull Khan of EMHF serves on IFAR Steering Group. Partnership for promoting second careers for thoroughbreds.
• EMHF (European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBA participates in EMHF discussions for thoroughbred recognition at Olympic level. Dr Paull Khan serves as Secretary-General.
• WBFSH (World Breeding Federation for Sports Horses)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in achieving recognition for thoroughbreds in Olympics and equestrian sports. Nadine Brandtner, General Manager, supported initiative for retired racehorse recognition.
• FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrancisco Lima, Director of Governance and Institutional Affairs, confirmed FEI support for thoroughbred recognition in Olympic starting lists and results.
• ISBC (International Stud Book Committee)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVice-Chair Simon Cooper confirmed support for thoroughbred recognition. 68 Approved Thoroughbred Stud Books supporting IFAR, WBFSH, and FEI initiatives.
• DeframinorOthersUK government department with which TBA maintains dialogue regarding African Horse Sickness regulations and import protocols following EU ban lift.
• APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency)minorOthersUK government agency with which TBA maintains close dialogue on equine health matters including African Horse Sickness protocols.
• TattersallscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for Flat Stallion Parade held ahead of the February Sale in Newmarket, where British-based stallions standing their first and second season are paraded.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Tattersalls: UK-based bloodstock auction house and partner venue for TBA's Flat Stallion Parade. Comparable as an equine sales venue collaborating with TBA on breeder events, though primarily focused on auctioneering rather than association services.
• Goffs (UK & Ireland): Bloodstock auction house hosting NH Stallion Showcase and Pinhooking Forum in partnership with TBA. Comparable as an equine sales and bloodstock service provider adjacent to TBA's breeder promotion mission.

Broad incumbents

• France Galop: The French governing body for Thoroughbred and trotter racing, combining regulatory, racing administration, and breeder representation functions. Comparable in scope but materially larger and broader than TBA's specialist breeder-only focus.
• The Jockey Club (UK): UK's largest commercial horse racing group, operating racecourses and stewarding horseracing alongside regulatory functions. Comparable as a major UK racing stakeholder but operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope than TBA.
• British Horseracing Authority (BHA): The regulatory authority for British horseracing and a key TBA partner. Comparable through its regulatory and policy role in British racing, though BHA's mandate is broader than TBA's breeder-specific focus.

Direct peers

• Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association: The Irish counterpart to TBA, representing Thoroughbred breeders in Ireland. Directly comparable as a national breed association offering membership services, education, breeding incentives, and advocacy for Thoroughbred breeders.
• Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TOBA - US): US national Thoroughbred breeders' association offering membership, advocacy, and breeder incentive programmes. Directly comparable in mission, services, and structure to TBA but serving the US market.
• Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Association: Australia's national breed association for Thoroughbred breeders, providing membership, education, advocacy, and services. Directly comparable as a national breed association in a major Thoroughbred jurisdiction.

Others

• Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB): The statutory body distributing levy funds from betting to support Thoroughbred racing, breeding, and associated welfare/education activities. Comparable as a key funding partner for breeding schemes and not as a direct competitor.
• Weatherbys: Provider of industry services including the General Stud Book and racing administration. Comparable as an industry body collaborating with TBA on scheme administration and breeder data.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-thoroughbred-breeders'-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association