British Horseracing Authority

A cross-industry working party has been established to agree an action plan that will pave the way for improving the culture of respect in British racing. In the wake of the Bryony Frost/Robbie Dunne case, in which Dunne was banned from riding for 18 months for prolonged bullying and intimidation of Frost, racing's major stakeholder bodies issued a statement last month reiterating their commitment to take wide-ranging action to offer support and education to industry participants around behaviours. The representatives of the culture of respect working party, which will meet...

The Whip Consultation Steering Group is discussing possible recommendations stemming from the three-month consultation period last summer, the British Horseracing Authority said in an update on the whip consultation project on Thursday. This stage of the project has been slightly delayed due to Covid complications, and is now expected to be completed towards the end of winter, with the proposals scheduled to be considered by the BHA board in April. After a period of adjustments, the full report and recommendations is to be published in May, with any new rules...

The British Horseracing Authority is defending and moving to clarify its decision to raise the minimum and maximum weights for jockeys by two pounds in place of the three-pound Covid weight allowance, a decision that has received criticism from some members of the riding colony. In a statement released on Wednesday, the BHA said, "In light of comments made in relation to the two-pound riding weight increase announced yesterday, the BHA would like to clarify a few areas in relation to the policy and consultation. "The three-pound Covid allowance was...

Raceday Covid restrictions-like face coverings and Covid Status Certification-are set to be eased in England from Jan. 27. Face coverings on racecourses will be strongly encouraged but not enforced, while the courses will drop the government-mandated Covid Status Certification requirement that applied to race meetings with over 4,000 attendees. Restrictions will still be applied in the weighing rooms, where a negative lateral flow test is required for entry and social distancing is enforced. Those rules will be re-evaluated no later than Feb. 14. British Horseracing Authority Chief Medical Adviser Dr...

Jockeys riding in Britain will receive a general weight increase of two pounds for most races. The change is permanent and replaces the three-pound Covid allowance that was instituted at the start of the pandemic when weighing-room saunas were closed; therefore, the minimum weight will be one-pound less than what it has been throughout the pandemic. Saunas have since been permanently closed. The minimum weight for flat races has been raised to 8st 2lbs, while the new minimum jump weight is 10st 2lbs. These changes come into effect for flat...

Jumps jockey Robbie Dunne, who was banned for 18 months-three of which were suspended--due to conduct prejudicial to racing for his harassment and bullying of fellow rider Bryony Frost, has appealed the decision. The 36-year-old rider denied all but one of the charges brought against him by an independent British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary panel. Originally, Dunne had seven days to lodge his appeal from the time the written reasons for the verdict were published on Jan. 6, but an application for an extension to Jan. 20 was granted by...

Every person entering a UK weighing room on a raceday will be required to present on arrival evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT) beginning on Jan. 5, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday. This mandate dovetails with the requirements introduced on Dec. 15, and is in response to the continued increase in COVID-19 cases. The LFT should be completed on each day of racing prior to travelling. Proper evidence of a negative LFT must be demonstrated either via the NHS App, or an NH text message or...

Treble British champion jockey Oisin Murphy has temporarily relinquished his licence while he seeks medical help following two positive tests for alcohol on the racecourse during 2021 and a breach of Covid protocols during the previous season.  The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) issued a statement on Murphy's behalf on Thursday which read, "On returning from abroad last September in 2020 I failed to follow the Covid protocol set out by the BHA. In breaking these rules, and attempting to mislead the BHA, I've let my governing body down, along with...

Tom Byrne has been appointed head of racing and betting for the British Horseracing Authority, a revised role that replaces head of racing and racecourses. That position was previously held by Paul Johnson, who commences his role as chief executive of the National Trainers Federation in January. Byrne joins the BHA after four years with the Horserace Betting Levy Board as operations manager. He previously held roles with GBI Racing and Racing Post. He will begin in the role in February and oversee the management and development of the BHA's...

Jockey Robbie Dunne has been suspended from riding for 18 months, three of which were suspended, for conduct prejudicial to racing for his harassment and bullying of fellow rider Bryony Frost as the British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel handed down their verdict on Thursday morning. Dunne's suspension begins immediately and he has seven days to appeal. Charged with seven counts in total, Dunne was found in breach of four counts prejudicial to horseracing--rule (J) 19--and three of violent and threatening behavior, with only one charge denied. The three-person panel, chaired...

An initial assessment of British racing's progress on environmental sustainability, initiated and funded by the Racing Foundation, has been commissioned by British racing's leaders. The aim is to build a clearer overall picture of current environmental activities and expertise across racing and breeding-establishing what's already being done, where there's potential to go further, and how this could be achieved. It will also identify the key sustainability issues, risks, and opportunities for racing. The scoping assessment is likely to cover several areas of environmental sustainability, including CO2 emissions, decarbonisation and renewable...

The shortlists for six awards of the upcoming 2022 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards were revealed on Monday. Sponsored by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in association with the Racing Post and Racing TV, the awards recognise and reward the outstanding skills, commitment and contribution of over 10,000 stud and stable staff in England, Scotland and Wales. The 2022 awards will carry total prizemony of £128,500, with as much as £30,000 available to a single yard or stud. The finalists will be announced early next...