Horseracing

Matt Hancock MP has called on the government to address ‘loopholes’ in the UK’s horse racing betting levy, warning that the British racing scene could fall behind other countries.  As reported by the Racing Post, the former DCMS minister and ex-Health Secretary made the remarks while addressing parliament yesterday, and identified what he believed were two major areas for change. …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has disclosed that it has received over 2,000 responses to its online questionnaire on horse whip practices. The update follows the closure of the initial phase of UK racing’s review of the use of foam-padded whips during races and the improvement of equine welfare.  Feedback submitted by industry stakeholders including riders, breeders, owners and the …

UK racing will maintain its COVID-safety approach, limiting professional jockeys to riding only one meeting per day.  The decision was announced by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) following consultation with riders, trainers and further safety stakeholders. A limit on jockey runs was introduced during 2020 as part of a series of initial measures designed …

1account has recruited racing prodigy Tom Marquand as new brand ambassador, promoting the importance of maintaining digital IDs safety to users and wider business. Recognised as UK racing’s hottest prospects, Marquand rode 147 winners during the 2020 season and secured two Group-1 wins on Addeybb and a first Classic victory on board Galileo Chrome in the St Leger at Doncaster. …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that a new ‘Bloodstock Industry Code of Practice’ will be incorporated into the rules of UK racing as of 16 August. The Code has been developed by the newly established Bloodstock Industry Forum (BIF), which was tasked with updating the rules and practices on the buying and selling of horse bloodstock rights – …

UK and Ireland horse racing fixtures have secured breakthrough coverage for the Indian market via a new media rights distribution deal struck between Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC).  The ground-breaking deal will see the heritage RCTC racetrack enable its visitors to watch and bet on fixtures broadcast by RMG of 34 UK racecourses and …

North American horse racing content provider XB Net has signed a new distribution deal with French operator ZEturf. The agreement will see XB Net deliver its live pictures, data, and multifaceted betting services from a network of over 60 North American tracks, providing ZEturf with a steady stream of rapid-cycling content for new and existing customers. Emmanuel De Rohan Chabot, Founder of ZEturf, …

Virgin Bet has secured a sponsorship agreement with the Ayr Gold Cup, along with the naming rights to the three-day Ayr Gold Cup Festival, which runs from 16 to 18 September. The highlight of ITV Racing’s live television coverage on the day, the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup will be run on 18 September. In addition to the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup, the sportsbook …

Sports betting operator Unibet has expanded its existing official sponsorship of the upcoming Qatar Goodwood Festival. Unibet will sponsor a further three races at next week’s premier meeting, taking the betting brand’s number of sponsored races at the festival to a total of 12. As part of the partnership, the operator has added three Group 2’s; the Unibet Lennox Stakes, …

The content of a BBC Panorama investigation has prompted the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to call an ‘urgent’ meeting with the independently-chaired Horse Welfare Board, along with other industry leaders. Furthermore, the BHA will also contact colleagues at Horse Racing Ireland after the Monday night Panorama programme, entitled ‘The Dark Side of Horse Racing’, broadcast covert footage filmed inside one …