British horseracing

"There's too much racing." That is the familiar cry heard from most people connected to British horseracing. With that in mind, a potential reduction to next year's fixture list should be met with approval. Though that has been the case in many quarters, a leaked British Horseracing Authority (BHA) proposal on this topic has also ruffled a few feathers. The Racing Post reported on Monday that the BHA, in consultation with its fixtures and funding group comprised by racing's stakeholders, is working on a proposal to reduce the 2023 fixture...

Ascot Racecourse has received a boost with the news that it has been selected by the British government to be part of the Events Research Programme (ERP) as restrictions continue to ease with regard to sporting events.  The announcement means that the racecourse will now be able to host 12,000 people daily during Royal Ascot, which begins its five-day run on Tuesday, June 15. With the final tier of government restrictions set to be lifted nationally on June 21, there had been fears that only 4,000 people would be allowed...

In conjunction with the sporting community, the British Horseracing Authority--as well as the Racecourse Association, Horsemen's Group, The Jockey Club and Professional Jockeys Association--will take part in a social media boycott beginning 9p.m. on Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 3. The action highlights the unchecked social media abuse and racism targeting sporting participants and was initially launched by English football's governing bodies last Saturday, with numerous other sport governing bodies, sponsors, partners, broadcasters and media outlets joining in. "I am grateful to everyone in the sport who takes part...

The 2020 Annual Update from the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG) was published on Monday. The report highlights the importance of capitalising on the current momentum within British racing to continue to work together for a more diverse and inclusive sport. Funded by the Racing Foundation, the DiRSG report also contains discussion of ethnic diversity within racing in light of the worldwide conversation about race and racism seen this year, highlights a number of important individual milestones as well as the launch of a wide variety of industry initiatives...