British Horseracing Authority

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has launched Racing2Learn, a new online e-learning platform within the racing and Thoroughbred breeding industries. The platform, developed in collaboration with 1st4Sport Qualifications, provides a range of flexible eLearning courses and is free for a limited period. Areas covered include: Horse care; Racehorse welfare; Safeguarding. Certificates may be achieved which have continuous professional development (CPD) points applied by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. "Racing2Learn adds an important new feature to the existing comprehensive programme of training and education in...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA)'s cross-industry Veterinary Committee--in conjunction with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)--approved to relaxing Equine Influenza vaccination requirements temporarily due to Cornonavirus outbreak. The move has been made in order to assist trainers, owners and vets in tackling the logistical challenges caused by the pandemic. During the remainder of 2020, horses will be required to have received an approved equine influenza vaccination within the last 12 months, instead of the existing nine-month period. The change to the policy is for 2020 only. The 12-month policy was...

A COVID-19 response plan for the UK racing industry was published on Monday by the industry group coordinating the response and liaising with the UK government. The purpose of the operational plan is to protect the health of British racing's people, horses, and businesses during the pandemic and have a blueprint in place for the earliest possible resumption of racing and a strong recovery once racing has begun again. It also outlines the range of activities, led by the industry's COVID-19 Group, to meet the challenges presented by the pandemic....

On the day that the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced that 80% of its workforce has been furloughed, it also issued an update to racing's stakeholders on its plans towards resuming racing on May 1. An initial return to action is likely to see racing remaining behind closed doors in anticipation of any easing of COVID-19 restriction measures likely to happen progressively. The group working on resumption plans is being led by the BHA's Brant Dunshea and includes representatives from the Racecourse Association, National Trainers Federation and Racehorse Owners Association....

The board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has taken measures to stand down almost 80% of its staff to cut costs to the racing industry by up to £1 million a month during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those employees being stood down will be able to draw on the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme while the remaining staff continue to work on a plan for the resumption of racing at the earliest date possible. The current shutdown, which was announced on March 18, is set to run until the end...

The British Horseracing Authority will release an overarching plan for the sport of horse racing early next week, but in the meantime on Thursday it issued updates on a few areas: Apprentice agreements: changes to apprentice and conditional jockey and trainer agreements on the split of income and expenses, set to come into effect on Mar. 28, will be delayed. Whip consultation: a consultation by the Horse Welfare Board has been delayed to allow for a focus on the COVID-19 response. Early closing races: early closing deadlines have been temporarily...

Following the temporary shutdown of racing in the UK on Monday due to the coronavirus, industry leaders from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Racecourse Association (RCA), National Trainers Federation (NTF) and the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) met Thursday morning to work on an assessment of immediate needs and identify funding available from government and industry sources as a priority. This is a change in the industry's coronavirus plan from allowing racing to continue behind closed doors. The BHA is also liaising with key departments in the government to ensure they...

Britain on Tuesday joined France, Germany, Italy and Spain in cancelling racing altogether in the midst of coronavirus, its shutdown set to last until the end of April. Today's meetings at Wetherby and Taunton will be the last before the cancellation takes effect. The British Horseracing Authority had announced on Monday that racing would take place behind closed doors until the end of March, but the picture changed when just hours later Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a tightening of protocols including mass gatherings. "This is a national emergency the...

British racing will be staged at least until the end of March behind closed doors beginning on Tuesday as a precaution against the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, with limits on numbers of essential personnel. Scottish racecourse Kelso had implemented a closed-door policy on its own accord for its Monday meeting to align with the advice of the Scottish government, and England and Wales will now follow suit. The widely expected announcement from the BHA brings British racing in line with protocols put in place by Ireland and Germany. Italy has cancelled...

Monday's meeting at Kelso Racecourse in Scotland will be contested behind closed doors, following the Scottish government's advice to delay the spread of coronavirus by cancelling mass gatherings. All Irish racing is closed to the public until Mar. 29, and France Galop put a similar measure in place on Friday, while Osarus postponed his breeze-up sale by five weeks. Britain has not yet barred spectators from any race meetings. The British Horseracing Authority issued a statement on Friday that read, "British racing continues to be in close contact with the...

The British Horseracing Authority will conduct breath testing of riders at British racecourses from Feb. 17 in a move away from the practice of having an external supplier conduct the testing. From Mar. 1, new rules will come into effect allowing a more flexible approach to breath testing. Chris Watts, Head of Integrity at the BHA, said, "This is an important and positive step in our testing procedures and will allow us to adopt a smarter and more cost-effective approach to testing. It will allow us to test more frequently...

The British Horseracing Authority is prepared to act--if the need arises--regarding any potential coronavirus impact on fixtures, including the Cheltenham Festival. BHA chief executive Nick Rust has confirmed an industry steering group is in place to consider the implications of the virus. Rust, speaking on a Betfair podcast, said, "We have an industry group in place that has been and continues to work on the potential impact of the coronavirus on the horse racing industry as a whole. "The BHA executive met with the team at Cheltenham Racecourse on Monday...