Johnny Farrelly Excluded From British Racing

Trainer Johnny Farrelly has been found in breach of six offences under Regulation 4 and one under Regulation 6 of the BHA Safeguarding Regulations and has been permanently excluded from British racing, the British Horseracing Authority announced. The ruling follows five days of hearings in front of the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP), with the case referred by the BHA. Farrelly will not have the right to review until at least seven years have passed, with the exclusion beginning on Oct. 5, 2021. Farrelly, a former jockey, has indicated he will appeal the ruling. As part of their ruling, the NSP have agreed that the finding of exclusion against the trainer may be publicised, but there can be no further disclosure of the details of the case. The BHA and all parties are bound by the NSP's rules around disclosure.

Tim Naylor, Director of Integrity and Regulation for the BHA, said, “Everyone who works in British racing must be willing to call out and stand up to any behaviours which fall short of the values of openness, inclusivity and respect on which our sport is built.

“We are extremely grateful to the people who came forward in this case to highlight the concerns which eventually led to today's finding. It was as a result of the brave actions of these people, reporting concerns via the sport's confidential RaceWISE reporting line, that we have been able to successfully bring this case to a conclusion.

“This was a lengthy and complex investigation which called deeply on the expertise of the sport's dedicated safeguarding unit, who deserve great praise. It also utilised the independent expertise of the National Safeguarding Panel to ensure that any verdict was provided by a fully independent, specialised arbitration process.

“We cannot comment further on the details of the case as they are confidential and we are bound by the NSP's rules around disclosure.”

Farrelly responded to the news with a statement on his behalf through the National Trainers Federation which read: “I intend to appeal against today's findings and will therefore make no further comment about the hearing. I would also like it to be known that a police investigation concluded with no charges in relation to my conduct.”