British Horseracing Authority

Premier Racedays, an undertaking by British Racing to market and promote racing's best racedays, will launch with the New Year's Day fixture at Cheltenham, the first of some 170 such programs to be staged in 2024. Premier Racedays is part of a two-year series of changes with the aim of growing British racing by 'increasing engagement among new and existing customers, improving revenues across all areas of the industry, promoting investment in the sport through the recruitment and retention of owners, and encouraging the best horses to be bred, trained...

An updated version of the Safeguarding and Human Welfare Strategy was published by the British Horseracing Authority on Wednesday. The Strategy, covering a four-year period, seeks to protect and promote the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in the sport. These objectives are supported by a comprehensive action plan, which includes:   Enhanced safeguarding and human welfare education for industry leaders, employers and employees, with specific training around sexual abuse and misconduct Refining reporting mechanisms, simplifying the existing referral processes and ensuring appropriate support for those reporting allegations Improving how...

Mixedwave (Ire) (Gentlewave {Ire}), a winner at Market Rasen last week, has become the first horse disqualified under the new whip regulations in 7,903 races through Nov. 26, 2023, according to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Ridden by Alex Edwards, the Pam Sly trainee was struck 16 times, nine above the permitted number of strikes. Edwards has been suspended for 24 days from Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 6.  Edwards was found to have used his whip "without giving his mount time to respond from approaching the third-last flight." The...

A survey for trainers and stable staff, commissioned by the Industry People Board, has been launched by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). The aim is to improve recruitment, skills, and retention of staff in the British racing industry. The appropriate racing industry staff will shortly be contacted by Public Perspectives to give their views on the survey, which is funded by the Racing Foundation, and delivered in partnership with the BHA, the National Trainers Federation (NTF) and the National Association of Racing Staff (NARS). The survey will also provide feedback...

The G3 Horris Hill S. and the G3 St Simon S. have both been rescheduled for early November, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed on Friday. Both races were set to take place at Newbury on Oct. 28. That meeting was abandoned. The St Simon will now be staged on Friday, Nov. 3 at Newmarket, with the Horris Hill taking place at that venue the day after. Original entries for both races have been cancelled and entries for these replacement races will now close at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 31....

Ascot Racecourse will host the 20th anniversary celebration of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, set to be held on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin will host the festivities for the first time since 2020. The awards, sponsored by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and by Godolphin, honours and celebrates the skill, passion and dedication of the remarkable individuals who care for the horses. There are six award categories--Leadership Award, Dedication Award, Rider/Racing Groom Award, Stud Staff Award, Community Award (in recognition of Rory MacDonald), and David Nicholson...

The 57th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, focused this year on safeguarding equine welfare and exploring shifts in societal expectations and the sport's response around the world, took place on Oct. 2 at Saint-Cloud racetrack in Paris. Organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the day-long conference emphasized horse racing in a changing society, safeguarding equine welfare and explore shifts in societal expectations and the racing industry's response around the world. "Today we continued what has been a chief mission throughout the life of the Federation: equine welfare,"...

Ahead of next week's Royal Ascot meeting, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will not take part in a nationally televised debate with Animal Rising, the organisation announced on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, animal activist group Animal Rising reportedly stated at a Wednesday press conference they would "pause" their protest activity this summer if UK racing's leaders took part in such a debate. BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said, "At a press conference today, Animal Rising said they will cease their protest activity this summer if British racing agrees to...

Wide-spread innovative changes to the 2024 UK fixture list based on several core principles have been approved by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Board. Part of British racing's cross industry strategy, the principles will be tested over a two-year period and represent an important first step in delivering a more substantive racing product. The core principles unanimously agreed upon by the BHA Board are as follows: A "Premier" racing tier with higher prize-money and more competitive top-quality racing featuring the best horses A two-hour "shop window" on most Saturday afternoons...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Friday confirmed the appointment of two new Independent Non-Executive Directors to the BHA Board. Kyrsten Halley will serve a three-year term, which began on May 1. She fills the vacancy created by Joe Saumarez Smith, whose term as BHA Chair was extended through May 31, 2025. Tara Warren will begin her initial three-year term on Dec. 1 and replaces current Independent Non-Executive Director Laura Whyte, following the completion of her maximum nine-year term. Halley currently serves as Marketing Director for the British-based food manufacturer,...

Chester regular Marwan Koukash has been removed as a registered owner by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) due to being declared bankrupt, according to published reports. The 69-year-old Palestinian won the Chester Cup four times with his runners between 2008 and 2018. His record at the track stands at 97 winners. Holding a PhD in electrical engineering, the businessman owned the Salford City Reds rugby team at one time, as well as a string of hotels among his various interests. The bankruptcy petition was filed in June of 2022 and...

Eight Industry People Board (IPB) members and an IPB Programme Director were confirmed by the IPB Board Chair Neil Hayward on Wednesday. Initiated and funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) and the Racing Foundation, the Board's aim is to deliver an industry-wide people strategy. The Board consists of the following individuals: Rob Hezel, Chief Executive, The Racing Foundation Daniel Kübler, Racehorse Trainer, Kübler Racing George McGrath, Chief Executive, National Association of Racing Staff Neil Robertson, Chief Executive, National Skills Academy for Rail Tom Scudamore, former professional Jump jockey...