Website www.weatherbys.co.uk Founded 1770 | Founder James Weatherby Number of employees c. 400 | |
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Industry Horse racing, Private Banking Products General Stud Book, Racing Calendar Divisions Weatherbys Ltd
Weatherbys Bank Headquarters Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England Parent organization Weatherbys Thoroughbred Holdings Limited | ||
Weatherbys is a privately owned English company, established 1770, and currently based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The company provides British horse racing with its central administration under contract to the British Horseracing Authority, acts as its bank and maintains the Thoroughbred breed register.
Contents
History
The first Mr Weatherby (James) was appointed to serve the Jockey Club as its Secretary in 1770. He was an able and entrepreneurial man and over the next 25 years laid strong foundations for the business.
He was assisted by his nephew, whose work on racehorse pedigrees dovetailed neatly with James’s racing work. In 1791, he promoted the publication of The General Stud Book, a definitive record of the pedigrees of approximately 400 horses which were seen as the foundation for all thoroughbred stock worldwide.
For 200 years, Weatherbys was based in London, but in the late 1960s migration to Wellingborough, in Northamptonshire, was undertaken, where they have been ever since.
For the majority of its history Weatherbys have been a family partnership, but in 1994 became a limited company. Weatherbys has its headquarters at Wellingborough with approximately 300 employees.
The seventh generation of the family runs the company today - an unbroken history of family ownership for 245 years.
Current operations
Weatherbys Ltd The founding company which today is primarily responsible for providing racing services to the (BHA), along with racecard production, pedigree research, printing, publishing, marketing and ticketing services to a range of clients. Also responsible for IT operations underpinning the whole Weatherbys organisation. 230 employees, all based at Wellingborough HQ.
Weatherbys GSB Ltd Incorporated in 2002 with responsibility for General Stud Book registrations, administration and publishing in Great Britain. 100% subsidiary of Weatherbys Ltd. 10 employees, all based at Wellingborough HQ.
The Point-to-Point Racing Company Ltd Incorporated in 1989 and originally acquired by Weatherbys Ltd in 2003. In 2010, half of the business was bought by the Point-to-Point Authority and this shared ownership (Weatherbys/PPA) remains in place. Provides publishing, administrative and editorial services to the sport of Point-to-point (steeplechase) horse racing in Great Britain. 3 employees, based at Wellingborough HQ.
Weatherbys Bank Ltd Incorporated in 1994 when Weatherbys secured its first banking licence from the Bank of England. Provides banking services both to those engaged in horse racing and increasingly to a wider audience. Authorised and regulated by the PRA and FCA. 100 employees, divided between Wellingborough HQ and Private Banking offices in central London and Edinburgh.
Arkle Finance Ltd Incorporated in 1997 to provide commercial asset finance services. 100% subsidiary of Weatherbys Bank Ltd. 30 employees based at Wellingborough HQ.
Weatherbys Hamilton LLP Constituted as a partnership in 2012, drawing together 50% involvement from Weatherbys Bank Ltd and 50% from individual partners, headed by Charles Hamilton. Providing brokerage services for bloodstock, property and liability insurance. Offices at Wellingborough, Dullingham, Swindon and London. 15 employees.
Weatherbys Ireland Ltd Incorporated in 1983 to provide laboratory and other commercial services, largely to the Irish equine industry. Recently diversified to provide extensive DNA and genomic testing services to agricultural stock from its Rank 1 ISAG laboratory in Ireland. 23 employees, all based at Johnstown, Co Kildare, Ireland.
Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd Incorporated in 2002 with responsibility for General Stud Book registrations, administration and publishing in Ireland. 100% subsidiary of Weatherbys Ltd. 12 employees, all based at Naas office in Ireland.