Tag Archives: Nick Rust

Matt Hancock publicly defends Cheltenham Festival decision

SBC News Matt Hancock publicly defends Cheltenham Festival decision

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has publicly defended the decision to allow Cheltenham Festival to take place, reiterating that the government ‘took the right measures at the right time’. Speaking on a phone-in on LBC Radio, Hancock was asked by a Cheltenham resident whether the festival should have taken place and whether the government would be committing to a future inquiry …

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BHA backs Nick Rust amid concerns over leadership

SBC News BHA backs Nick Rust amid concerns over leadership

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has reaffirmed its ‘full and unequivocal support’ for CEO Nick Rust after a number of concerns over his leadership from trainers were reported in a Sunday Telegraph article. Back in January, Rust confirmed that he would be stepping down from the BHA after holding the position of CEO for six years. However, the Sunday Telegraph reported …

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Government and racing face criticism for Cheltenham 2020 go-ahead 

SBC News Government and racing face criticism for Cheltenham 2020 go-ahead 

UK racing is facing a media and political backlash for its decision to host the 2020 Cheltenham Festival in early March, as COVID-19 cases began to spread across the country. At Monday’s ‘UK Coronavirus Briefing’, Angela McLean – the government’s deputy Chief Medical Advisor – stated that an inquiry should be held post-lockdown on the ‘epidemiological consequences’ of UK sports maintaining …

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BHA extends racing suspension beyond end of April

SBC News BHA extends racing suspension beyond end of April

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that the suspension of racing will be extended, with a date for resumption yet to be decided. Racing was initially suspended on March 18 following the government’s decision to introduce the current lockdown measures which seek to protect essential emergency services and the health and safety of the public. But while a new …

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BHA outlines plans to resume racing ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’

SBC News BHA outlines plans to resume racing 'at the earliest possible opportunity'

British Horseracing Authority (BHA) CEO Nick Rust has emphasised that ‘racing will not be beaten’ by the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in the widespread cancellation of race meetings across the UK. Issuing a statement on the outbreak, senior executives from the BHA, Racecourse Association (RCA), National Trainers Federation (NTF) and the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) have published the details …

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BHA postpones UK racing until the end of April  

SBC News BHA postpones UK racing until the end of April  

Issuing a statement, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that all British horseracing will be suspended until the end of April. The BHA stated that after taking into account the government’s recent advice regarding the growing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the only option was to suspend all racing in order to ensure that safety measures are secured. Nick Rust, Chief …

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UK racing preparing to move behind closed doors

SBC News UK racing preparing to move behind closed doors

As the COVID-19 outbreak has continued to disrupt the sporting world, the racing industry has ramped up preparations for the sport to be held behind closed doors. Taking place later today, the sport’s tripartite leadership, including racecourses, participants and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), will discuss an approach recommended by the industry’s COVID-19 Steering Group. In a statement, the BHA …

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UK Racing urges industry to heed Government’s COVID-19 advice

SBC News UK Racing urges industry to heed Government's COVID-19 advice

British Racing’s COVID-19 Steering Group has urged the racing industry to heed the Government’s advice regarding the recent coronavirus outbreak, following the appropriate guidance published on Tuesday 3rd March. According to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), British racing has been in regular contact with DCMS and DEFRA over the past two weeks to keep them informed of the racing’s industry’s …

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BHA seeks new CEO as Rust confirms 2020 leadership departure

SBC News BHA seeks new CEO as Rust confirms 2020 leadership departure

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has begun its search for a new leader, after Nick Rust confirmed that he will end his Chief Executive tenure at the end of the year. A former Ladbrokes executive, Rust was appointed BHA CEO in November 2014, becoming British horseracing’s first leadership appointment from the betting sector. Upon taking charge of the BHA, Rust was …

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