The Jockey Club faced complaints of sexist behaviour, bullying, racism and homophobia, leaked internal document reveals
The Jockey Club was accused of sexist behaviour, bullying, racism and homophobia, a document claimed.
A note sent to senior staff outlined an investigation into a number of issues raised by workers.
The 270-year-old organisation, which has the Queen as its patron and runs Aintree and Cheltenham, is overseen by a board of stewards.
They were sent an email in December from head of HR Linda Bowles detailing some of the past complaints allegedly investigated and rejected for lack of evidence.
The slide was part of a wider address on diversity and inclusion within the Jockey Club.
The 270-year-old organisation, which has the Queen (pictured with club steward Julia Budd at Epsom last year) as its patron and runs Aintree and Cheltenham, is overseen by a board of stewards
'Where we were in 2017-18', seen by the Times, spoke of 'a number of grievances and investigations into allegations of sexist, racist, homophobic and/or bullying behaviour'.
It said there was 'evidence that in some teams people were using language and making jokes that were inappropriate'.
Baroness Harding is on the board of stewards and heads the NHS Test and Trace system
And it added there had been 'strong anecdotal evidence to suggest LGBTQ+ employees were unwilling to ''come out'' for fear of impact on their career'.
The document also mentioned 'a specific grievance that named senior managers, committee members and external partners which would have been very bad PR if it had gone to tribunal'.
Ms Bowles added 'on investigation there was no evidence to support the specific allegations' but was 'a clear need for education and training'.
An insider told the Times the complaint was from a female executive about an alleged sexual harassment by a senior male in the club in 2018.
The man has since denied the claim. But sources have insisted there are problems within the culture at the organisation, which makes £200million a year.
The Jockey Club said: 'Over the last ten years there have been a very small number of formal complaints raised by our employees around the UK and each has been thoroughly investigated.
'We always take appropriate action to address any concerns and learn any lessons for the future.'
Three months ago the club's group chief executive Delia Bushell stepped down over allegations of bullying and racist comments.
The 48-year-old tendered her resignation after an independent barrister found she had a case to answer for gross misconduct - allegations she claims are not true.
It was found to be 'untenable' for the former BT Sport and Sky executive to stay in her role, the organisation's board said.
But Bushell, who was one of 19 witnesses who interviewed as part of the review, claimed she was herself subject to 'unmerited, dishonourable, bullying behaviour'.
The Jockey Club's group chief executive Delia Bushell accused the organisation of a 'deeply unpleasant stitch-up' after she stepped down over allegations of bullying and racist comments
In her resignation letter, Ms Bushell said the jockey club has not paid attention to 'serious complaints against senior men' - which it denies.
She said the review was not completed in a fair way and believes her testimony - and that of her witnesses - was 'largely disregarded or discredited'.
The Jockey Club said its barrister was impartial and the inquiry was independent.
The former BT Sport and Sky executive was one of the most powerful figures in British race horsing after she took over the organisation last year.
The Jockey Club said an independent barrister had submitted a detailed report to a sub-committee of the board.
That sub-committee, which includes Tory peer Dido Harding – who is in charge of the NHS Test and Trace system – decided there was a basis for disciplinary action against Ms Bushell including on the grounds of gross misconduct.
In a statement, the Jockey Club said: 'The Board of The Jockey Club announces today that Delia Bushell is to stand down as Group Chief Executive with immediate effect.
'This follows the completion of an independent review into a wide range of allegations about her conduct, which the Board concluded made it untenable for her to continue in the role.
Bushell tendered her resignation after an independent barrister found she had a case to answer for gross misconduct - allegations she claims are not true. Pictured: Ms Bushell at an Inspiring Women in Sport event
'As part of this review, an independent barrister interviewed 19 witnesses including Delia. He submitted a detailed report to a sub-committee of the Board comprising Dido Harding, Julia Budd and Justin Dowley on Sunday 23rd August in which he concluded that there was evidence to support a number of the allegations of misconduct including bullying behaviour towards colleagues, inappropriate racist comments and sharing offensive materials.
'The sub-committee of the Board agreed with his conclusion and decided that there was a basis for disciplinary action against Delia including on the grounds of gross misconduct.'
It added: 'This recommendation was accepted by the full Board of The Jockey Club.'
Nevin Truesdale has been appointed as acting group chief executive, the club said.
Bushell is also a non-executive director of the England and Wales Cricket Board and sits on the advisory board of the Telegraph Media Group.
She previously made it clear she wanted to modernise the Jockey Club by bringing a more commercial edge to the racing body, diversifying revenue streams and cutting costs.
Speaking about the club in March, she said: 'Because it has been so large and so successful for so long, it probably felt that it hasn't needed to draw a broader and more diverse audience.'