Tag Archives: BHA

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has notified stakeholders that Chair Joe Saumarez Smith has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will start treatment later this month.  The board of the BHA have agreed that they would like Saumarez Smith to continue in his role as Chair for as long as he is happy to do so. Saumarez Smith has accepted …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has taken the first steps on the road to securing a ‘brighter and more prosperous future’ for the sport, Joe Saumarez Smith, Chair of the Board, has detailed. Following what has been described as ‘months of extensive consultation’, a significant development for British racing was made on Tuesday as the BHA Board voted unanimously for …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has responded to the conclusion of the investigation into the ‘toxic behaviour’ of licensed trainer Robyn Brisland and member of staff William Degnan.  The trainer of the Danebury Racing Stables in Hampshire, Brisland has been ordered to appoint a staff member to oversee safety procedures at his yard due to a ‘toxic work culture’. Following …

British racing appointed eight new Board members and a Programme Director to plan and deliver an industry wide people strategy. The new hires were confirmed by Chair of British racing’s Industry People Board, Neil Hayward.  Initiated and funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) and the Racing Foundation, the Industry People Board will lead the development of racing’s long-term …

The BHA has announced that the Racing Together Community Day is making a return on 25 May 2023. The annual event is racing’s national day of volunteering in support of local communities when those involved in the sport are invited to give their time for good causes. John Blake, CEO of Racing Together, commented: “We’re pleased to announce this year’s …

PM Rishi Sunak praised the vital contribution of horseracing to the British economy at yesterday’s ‘Godolphin 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards’. The awards ceremony, which recognises the work of individuals across Britain’s racing and breeding industries, was celebrated yesterday evening at York Racecourse. Via video message, PM Sunak highlighted the diverse range of work created by UK racing which contributes …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has pledged to boost the prize funding of over 60 ‘development races’ during 2023. The commitment has been made by the BHA and breeding farms Darley and Juddmonte to enhance prize money for horses at the beginning of their careers and forms part of the BHA’s long-term sustainability programme for UK racing. In total 63 …

Danny Brock has been disqualified from racing for 15 years following reports of a betting conspiracy after he purposely stopped his horses during races. The jockey, who rode on the Flat circuit from 2009 to 2021, has been found guilty of engaging in corrupt and fraudulent practices during three races in December 2018 and March 2019. The BHA said in …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced several adjustments to the rules regarding the use of the whip in the sport. Concluded at a recent Board Meeting, the regulation which stated that the whip can only be used in the backhand position has now been disregarded. This has been replaced by an amendment to reduce the amount of times it …