The Jockey Club has severed ties with the Racecourse Association (RCA) in yet another development highlighting the uncertain state of UK horse racing.
A statement posted on the organisation’s website yesterday confirmed that it will join Ascot in leaving the RCA at the end of 2026.
It follows the RCA’s governance review from March which was published on Saturday. The Jockey Club’s Chief Executive, Jim Mullen, did not pull any punches in his statement.
“While acknowledging the work that has taken place since March, we have consistently set out throughout the review that it needed to address not just the racecourse voting shares within the RCA, but the organisation’s role in representing racecourses politically through its 50% holding of member shares in the BHA,” he said.
“This review has addressed the RCA’s internal arrangements, but not the constitutional arrangements through which racecourses collectively exercise their influence over the governance of British racing.
“The RCA’s proposals fail to address our fundamental concern that the RCA can continue to act to stifle the necessary changes needed in the industry.”
The initial RCA review was instigated to prevent events like this after Ascot ditched its association with the group in May.
Yet the opposite has happened. The Jockey Club’s exit, along with the 15 racecourses it manages, spells further bad news for the sport and its governance.
The sport and the authorities behind it have come under a lot of scrutiny over the past year, key topics being:
- The November 2025 budget and increases in betting tax, with the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) #AxeTheRacingTax campaign and racing strike in September driving a wedge between it and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
- The continued development and launch of Racing Digital, a planned digital platform for the sport serving as a source of content, news and information. The removal of the programme’s Chair earlier this year cast more doubt over its future prospects.
- While racecourse attendances are up, there is general unease about the sport’s governance with racecourse ownership split between The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company (ARC), and independent tracks like Ascot.
The Jockey Club looks ahead
It seems, however, that The Jockey Club has some kind of plan in place for the future.
“In stepping away we remain committed to participating in decisions related to British Racing’s future,” Mullen remarked.
“We have therefore begun discussions with the British Horseracing Authority to explore the most appropriate framework for representing the interests of those within the industry who share a commitment to the long-term sustainability and quality of British racing.
“As set out, the BHA articles aim to ensure ‘as far as is practicable that the membership and structure [of the BHA] remains as representative of Racing as possible’.
“It is our intention to work with Ascot Racecourse and other likeminded industry partners to pursue a vision based on the long-term sustainability of the sport and we are in the early stages of establishing a new organisation to do this.”
For its part, the BHA – the regulatory body of British horse racing – has stated its intention to continue working with racecourses and relevant industry figures despite yet another blow.
That organisation itself is undergoing a period of transition, having recently appointed an incoming Chair in Simon Cox and a new Chief Executive in Brant Dunshea.
On The Jockey Club’s departure from the RCA, the BHA told SBC News: “The BHA will continue to liaise with the racecourses and other constituent bodies regarding the sport’s governance structure, and consider all proposals made.
“This engagement will include the incoming BHA Chair, who formally takes up the role from 1 October. Our priority will always be to ensure that British racing is in the best position to support ongoing efforts to strengthen and grow our industry.”
Wolverhampton races shines light on integrity
The news of The Jockey Club’s RCA exit also comes amid reports of potential foul play at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
Last Thursday, Iconic Times won a 7f handicap by a length under jockey Sean Dylan Bowen, having been backed in from 7/1 all the way to 2/1.
Industry outlet The Racing Post reported that every bookmaker on the course ran out of cash, with the win costing on-course operators a potential £50,000.
The incident shines a light on the lingering gap between on-course bookmakers and online bookmakers when it comes to betting monitoring.
After all, such hefty bets being made with every price change would almost certainly have been flagged on online platforms, though on-course bookies may have not noticed until it was too late – too late for their bottom lines that day at least.
