British Horseracing Authority

The Feb. 8 appeal made by Hollie Doyle in regards to a six-day ban after improper use of the whip on Echo Brava (GB) (Proclamation {Ire}) at Kempton was denied by the British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel, the BHA announced on Monday. The six-day ban will stand. The Group 1-winning rider had chosen to appeal after feeling that the stewards' tone when conducting the original inquiry was objectionable.

   The following statement was issued by the tripartite group of the British Horseracing Authority, The Horsemen's Group and the Racecourse Association. It addresses the groups liaison with the Gambling Commission about the prospect of affordability checks and its potential impact on the industry. It also touches on the group's work around the Winter Survival Fund, other concerns related to the recovery from COVID and the Levy. Horse racing leaders have expressed their deep concern about the potential impact from the introduction of 'affordability' thresholds for online betting customers. The...

The British Horseracing Authority has acknowledged jockey Hollie Doyle's concerns regarding the handling of a recent stewards' inquiry and expressed their thanks to Doyle on Monday. During a BHA inquiry last month, Doyle indicated concern over the inquiry process itself. Doyle's inquiry dealt with improper use of the whip aboard Echo Brava (GB) (Proclamation {Ire}) at Kempton in January and resulted in a six-day ban. She opted to appeal, in part due to the stewards' tone when conducting the original inquiry. "It's important all parties involved in a stewards' inquiry...

Newbury Racecourse is in talks with the British Horseracing Authority to continue its role as a vaccination centre while simultaneously holding racing. Located in Berkshire, the venue is a COVID-19 vaccination centre and has the capacity to vaccinate 1,500 people daily. However, that service was halted on Wednesday, as that date marked a National Hunt card. Vaccinations will resume on Thursday, Jan. 21. The next fixture at the course in on Feb. 13. Newbury is not providing vaccinations seven days a week at this time. "The BHA supports the idea...

As part of a small handful of changes to its race programme unveiled by the British Horseracing Authority on Wednesday, the governing body published the auction value thresholds for its previously announced combined 2-year-old novice and maiden programme: -Band A: auction value of £50,000 - £80,000 or, if not sold at a sale, sire's auction median of <£60,000 (35 races) -Band B: £30,000 - £50,000 or sire's median of <£40,000 (65 races) -Band C: £15,001 - £30,000 or sire's median of <£25,000 (150 races) -Band D: £1 - £15,000 or...

British Horseracing Authority Chief Executive Nick Rust will be honoured with an OBE for his service to the sport of horse racing. Rust steps down from his post on Jan. 1. He has served in his position for nearly six years and dealt with a range of issues, including changes to the Levy, presiding over a review of buying/selling bloodstock, the increasingly important improvements to horse welfare, increasing diversity and inclusion in the sport of horse racing in the UK and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Jumps jockey Bob Champion was...

Following the increasing rate of spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, racing will continue without crowds in attendance after the UK Government's Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that approximately 75% of the UK will be moved into Tier 3 or Tier 4 restrictions beginning on Thursday. Every area where a racecourse is located in Great Britain falls under these new Tier 3/4 designations. Hancock made the announcement in the House of Commons. Spectators were allowed back to courses in early December in Tier 1 and 2 areas, but...

As there is currently an increased rate of transmission of COVID-19 in the UK, British racing leaders have agreed with the UK Government to impose more stringent racemeeting restrictions beginning on Jan. 1, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Tuesday. Under the new restrictions, no owners will be permitted to attend Tier 4 race meetings and essential staff only are allowed at meetings in Tier 4 areas. In addition, no owners living in Tier 4 will be permitted to attend race meetings in Tiers 1-3. These restrictions also apply to...

Seamus Mullins has been appointed as the new member representing the Horsemen's Group on British racing's independently chaired Horse Welfare Board. Mullins replaces James Given, who will take up his post as the British Horseracing Authority's new director of equine health and welfare at the beginning of next year. Given will remain on the Horse Welfare Board in his new capacity, replacing David Sykes. Mullins said, "I'm greatly looking forward to joining the Horse Welfare Board and working with the racing industry to implement the strategy published earlier this year....

A new stop race procedure, to take effect on Jan. 4, was revealed by the British Horseracing Authority on Monday. The revised procedure was developed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in conjunction with the Racecourse Association (RCA) and the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and have been made to ensure the procedure is as clear and safe as possible for riders, racecourse staff and for those on course. The changes are as follows: The stop race flag has been re-designed from yellow to orange and yellow quarters, to be as...

The UK Government will look into the timetable for reviewing the Horserace Betting Levy, and the news has been welcoming by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Not due for a review until 2024 under the current legislation, the Horserace Betting Levy is now on the table for next year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the funding issues of the industry, and the COVID-19 Recovery Plan, published in August, called for an urgent review as part of a wider initiative to restore industry finances. After the review was published, the...

After the announcement of regulatory integration between Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred racing in the UK last December, further integration steps were released in a joint statement by the British Horseracing Authority and Arabian Racing Organisation on Tuesday. A period of phased implementation by ARO began with the support of the Racing Foundation after the initial announcement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there were inevitable delays, however a series of interim measures are being introduced in 2021. Existing BHA licenced trainers will be permitted to train both Purebred Arabians and Thoroughbreds...