The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is working with all stakeholders to ensure that owners can return to England and Scotland’s racecourses from Monday 29 March – in line with government rules on easing national restrictions. Since January public attendance to racecourses has been restricted, following the announcement of the UK’s winter lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. …
Read More »
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has raised direct concerns with the DCMS about further ‘enhanced affordability checks’ being imposed on bookmakers. Reported by the Racing Post, local racing delegates of Sunak’s Richmond North Yorkshire constituency wrote to the Chancellor opposing a consultation proposal being reviewed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Forming part of the government’s ongoing review of …
Read More »
The Daily Mail has reported that the UK racing industry has been dealt another ‘hammer blow’ after the government has refused to review the duties and timetable of the Betting levy. The newspaper cited a letter from DCMS sports minister Nigel Huddleston, who claims that he has ‘made it clear’ that a review of levy terms will not form any …
Read More »
Nick Rust, the British Horseracing Authority’s Chief Executive, will receive an OBE for his services to the sport of horse racing. Having served in his position for nearly six years, Rust will officially step down as chief executive from 1 January. During his tenure, Rust has dealt with various challenges including the changes to the Levy, overseeing the review of …
Read More »
Champion jockey Hollie Doyle has won ‘The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year’ award, having been recognised as a pioneer on course to become the face of global horseracing. In her third year on the pro-racing circuit, Doyle (24) secured a record-breaking 135 wins from 900 races (15% strike rate), ranked as the fifth-best jockey by GB Racing – the …
Read More »
UK racing will maintain the tightest control on spectators reattending its racetrack and hospitality venues, following the government’s announcement that it will lift lockdown restrictions across England from 3 December. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) welcomed the decision by the government to allow ‘limited crowds’ to return to tier-1 and tier-2 sporting venues, having been in lockdown since 1 June. …
Read More »
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has pledged £300 million to safeguard professional sports’ immediate future, as confirmed in its ‘Sport Winter Survival Package’. Emergency funds will be made available to sports governing bodies to distribute to clubs and organisations that have been affected by the ongoing COVID pandemic. Sports England will oversee the allocation of funds, …
Read More »
UK racing has launched its first ‘community directory’ to highlight the work of key stakeholders that are leading projects and directives to improve the sport’s health, welfare, education, participation and community involvement. Backed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the directory has been developed by sports charity Racing Together in collaboration with The Racing Foundation and thoroughbred news source Godolphin. …
Read More »
UK sports have avoided a hammer blow as the government confirms that ‘elite sports can continue behind closed doors’ during the looming month of lockdown restrictions sanctioned across England. However, despite relief at avoiding a blanket cancellation of sports calendar, UK bodies remain sceptical as to how the government will ensure COVID-19 safeguards and further financial support for impacted wider …
Read More »
UK racing has announced the launch of a ‘Racehorse Relief Fund’, managed by the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) in support of stud owners, trainers and UK stables mitigating the financial hardships brought on by the ongoing global COVID-19 crisis. The ROA’s fund has been granted approval by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to serve as a relief programme for UK …
Read More »
SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry