Britain

Noted bloodstock agent, former trainer and well-known industry figure John Ferguson has been appointed to the Board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the sport's governing and regulatory body. He is one of two Member-Nominated Directors as nominated by the TBA, ROA and NTF (acting on behalf of Licensed Personnel). Ferguson takes over from Luca Cumani, whose term on the BHA Board has ended. Ferguson has held a wide variety of positions within the Thoroughbred industry. He served as stable staff and assistant to trainer Sir Michael Stoute and, on...

Following continued representations to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group, a change to customs procedure has been made which will facilitate movement of horses into Britain for breeding and racing. A new, industry-specific, facilitation has now been agreed by HMRC to the Temporary Admission procedure, allowing intermediaries (such as a transporter or shipper) to apply for an authorisation enabling them to move Thoroughbreds under multiple ownerships, without the need for a financial guarantee. Previously, in the majority of cases, Thoroughbreds entering Great Britain...

Edited Press Release Recognising the difficulty some participants and officials have had in ordering Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs), the racing industry COVID-19 Group has temporarily deferred the requirement, announced earlier this week, to show a negative lateral flow test to gain entry to the Weighing Room, which was due to take effect at all fixtures from 5 January. Existing requirements will remain in place, including the need for COVID status certification for all Weighing Room attendees at all fixtures. Anyone unable to provide evidence of vaccination status will continue to...

12.40 Newmarket, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, f, 7fT CRYSTAL CAPRICE (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) represents the longstanding De Rothschild--Sir Michael Stoute connection which has fared so well with members of this March-foaled bay's family down the years. The dam Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a talented but perhaps underachieving listed winner, is a half to three heavyweight performers to have raced in these silks in Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Among her peers is Lady Derby and Lady...

3.15 Redcar, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, f, 7f 219y (AWT) WORLD WITHOUT LOVE (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) makes her debut on the card at the Northern seaside venue for her owner-breeder Mascalls Stud and trainer Mark Johnston, who has achieved so much with her half-brothers Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}) and half-sister Alba Rose (GB) (Muhaarar (GB}). The dam Reckoning (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) already looked a top producer before the G1 Gold Cup victory of Subjectivist and G2 Jockey Club S. and G2 Princess of...

An outbreak of the neurological form of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) has been reported in Valencia, Spain, the Irish Equine Centre (IEC) announced via a statement on Twitter Monday. The virus was discovered at an FEI competition, and the FEI Veterinary Department is collaborating with the Spanish authorities. Additional veterinarians have been brought in to assist with the 160 horses quarantined on site. The IEC statement read in part, "Currently 84 horses are showing clinical signs, 11 are being treated in external clinics and four have died. Horses that left...

Nominations for the 2020 UK Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards are now open. The awards recognise and reward the outstanding skills, commitment and contribution of over 10,000 stud and stable staff in England, Scotland and Wales. In this challenging year, the 2021 awards will particularly look to recognise the challenges faced by stud and stable staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The finalists will be judged, most likely remotely, on Feb. 22. After the winners are selected, there will be a virtual awards ceremony, and a celebratory event is slated...