British Horseracing Authority

Raj Parker, a regulatory and sports law specialist, has been appointed to the Board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Parker will start his new role as an Independent Non-Executive Regulatory Director on Jan. 1, 2022, and will replace Sir Paul Stephenson, whose term expires on New Year's Eve. Currently, Parker is a senior advisor at the Financial Conduct Authority and has dealt with many investigations involving integrity issues. BHA Chair Annamarie Phelps said, "We are delighted to welcome Raj to the Board. His prodigious experience in regulatory matters and...

Saunas will be removed from all jockeys' quarters in Britain as part of a long-term programme to modernise weighing rooms that has been developed by a cross-industry group of jockeys, racehorses and the British Horseracing Authority. Weighing room saunas have been closed as part of Covid safety measures since the onset of the pandemic, and 88% of jockeys polled support their removal. Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA chief medical adviser, said, "Saunas have been out of operation throughout the pandemic, which has presented the opportunity for a wider discussion about their...

Several changes to the British Rules of Racing were confirmed by the British Horseracing Authority on Thursday. These changes, which will come into effect in the coming months, were approved by the BHA Board, following engagement with and feedback from participants and stakeholders. The changes are as follows: All horses entered to run in a race in Britain must be signed out of the human food chain via its passport by Jan. 1, 2022. The UK's equine influenza vaccination requirements were updated to bring them in line with other European...

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee has called on the UK Government to support the British Thoroughbred industry through securing a replacement to the Tripartite Agreement. In a report titled Moving Animals Across Borders, EFRA also called on government to work with the industry on digital solutions to expedite the movement of Thoroughbreds, and to investigate the causes and scale of illegal horse movements. The report, which comes after Thoroughbred industry figures presented evidence to the Select Committee earlier this year, is welcomed by the...

Trainer Johnny Farrelly has been found in breach of six offences under Regulation 4 and one under Regulation 6 of the BHA Safeguarding Regulations and has been permanently excluded from British racing, the British Horseracing Authority announced. The ruling follows five days of hearings in front of the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP), with the case referred by the BHA. Farrelly will not have the right to review until at least seven years have passed, with the exclusion beginning on Oct. 5, 2021. Farrelly, a former jockey, has indicated he will...

The 2022 UK fixture list was published by the British Horseracing Authority on behalf of the sport's tripartite governance structure of the BHA, racecourses and horsemen and women, on Monday. Comprised of 1,482 fixtures, the 2022 fixture list was developed by the industry's Fixtures and Funding Group, which contains cross-industry representation and was approved by all members of the group and the sport's tripartite executive committee. The list was presented to the BHA Board for approval on Sept. 9. The total fixtures for 2021 was 1,486. There were several significant...

The one-meeting per day protocol for jockeys will continue through 2022, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) confirmed on Wednesday. Initially introduced as part of measures designed to ensure racing's safe return behind closed doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the protocol has been extended after consultation with jockeys and other stakeholders. The move was approved by the BHA board and applies to jockeys under both codes to ride at only one meeting per day. Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the BHA, said, "Jockeys played...

National Hunt jockey Joe Colliver has been banned six months by the British Horseracing Authority after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine when riding at Wetherby on Feb. 23. Colliver admitted to taking cocaine the weekend before that meeting. Colliver's urine sample was found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in a quantity of 1,650ng/ml. The permitted level is 150ng/ml. Colliver's interim suspension began on Mar. 4, so his six-month suspension will be backdated and will expire on Sept. 3. Solicitor Rory Mac Niece, representing Colliver, said, "Mr....

Following the broadcasting of the BBC's programme Panorama: The Dark Side of Horse Racing on Monday evening, the British Horseracing Authority announced its support to investigate the images of horses being euthanized in situations which may have harmed their welfare. In addition, several leaders from the British racing industry including the BHA, as well as the Horse Welfare Board will be meeting to discuss further issues raised by the Panorama programme on Tuesday. The BHA will also be in contact with Horse Racing Ireland over the contents of the programme....

As English racing prepares for the return of full capacity crowds from Monday, racecourses have issued some guidance and a number of requests to racegoers, including being vaccinated against coronavirus and taking up the government's offer for free lateral flow tests before attending a racecourse. The British Horseracing Authority and the Racecourse Association will not yet be introducing a Covid-certification system, but are working with the department of culture, media and sports to put the framework in place in the event that such a measure is needed. The Scottish and...

The British Racing School has developed a support programme for horse racing businesses and charities interested in employing an individual under the government-funded Kickstart scheme. Kickstart provides funding to create new jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment which covers 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week for six months plus £1,500 per employee for setup costs. The BRS has launched a coordinated approach supported by the Racing Foundation and the Resume Foundation to help employers in racing...

The Weatherbys ePassport has gone live for the British and Irish Thoroughbred markets, with the first foal to be issued with its passport a colt by Calyx born on Feb. 14 at Julian Richmond-Watson's Lawn Stud. In the coming months, every Thoroughbred born in Britain and Ireland this year will receive its passport. The Weatherbys ePassport is a single, secure platform for all regulatory and legislative requirements relating to identification, health, welfare, movement and ownership. Elements of the Weatherbys ePassport are already in use in Britain, Ireland and other jurisdictions....