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 – …
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The Horse Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has agreed to terms on a £21.5 million loan secured from the British government as part of the Sport Winter Survival Package (SWSP). The loan has been issued as UK racing has suffered severe financial consequences as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, having lost around £400 million in racecourse revenue, whilst participants experienced …
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The issue of spectator attendance at British racetracks has been raised in parliament, as calls for an increase in venue capacity from leading industry figures and organisations continue to mount. Raised during a debate regarding the Events Research Programme, MPs discussed the success of pilot events in helping inform decisions about the safe relaxation of social distancing measures. Questioning sports …
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UK horse racing industry leaders have confirmed that the sector’s representatives will ‘continue to press hard’ to receive the 10,000 capacity limit enjoyed by seated stadiums, as the government pushes ‘Freedom Day’ back until 19 July. The delay in the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions was announced yesterday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson – having originally been scheduled for 21 June …
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The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that it will join other sporting organisations in this weekend’s social media boycott to highlight awareness of online racism and abuse. Horse racing will join the boycott from 9pm today (30 April), following a commemoration for Lorma Brooke, the amateur jockey who passed away of injuries from a racing accident this month, and …
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Nick Rust OBE, the former Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), has been confirmed as the new Chairman of the Starting Price Regulatory Commission (SPRC). The SPRC issued a statement to UK racing stakeholders, confirming that Rust would replace Lord Bernard Donoughue, who ended his 16-year tenure as SPRC chairmanship on 6 April. Lord Donoughue backed Rust’s appointment, …
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The reluctance of many horse racing bodies to take on more debt has led to the sport receiving only half of the £40 million originally earmarked by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). According to the Racing Post, racetracks have been unwilling to take on more debt due to the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, instead …
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Horse racing will receive a much needed financial boost as part of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) latest tranche of funding. As a result of the DCMS’ latest round of sports funding, horse racing will receive £21 million in loans, committed to the Horse Betting Levy Board (HBLB). This funding ‘will ensure essential race day integrity …
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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 …
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Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of British Cycling, has been selected as the new head of the British Racing Authority, effective as of 4 January 2021. In addition to working for British Cycling, Harrington is also a former member of the BHA Board and was a senior executive with Northern Racing for eight years, having also served as the Managing Director …
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