Tag Archives: UK racing

New rule changes brought to UK racing will allow stewards to declare “a non-runner in any race beginning from the starting stalls.” The rule will be implemented from 1 May 2024 onwards, granting extended powers to race stewards to decide whether a participating horse has “been denied a fair start”. Granted by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), stewards will be …

British racing will undertake significant changes and customer-facing innovations following publication of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) 2024 Fixture List.  A key directive of the BHA and its stakeholders, the 2024 fixtures list will showcase new initiatives designed to grow racing, by engaging new audiences with the heritage sport. In a statement, the association noted: “The innovations introduced through the …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has added six job categories related to horseracing and breeding to the UK government’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL), which is overseen by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The independent Committee, tasked with advising the government on the migration of skilled workers, has been alerted by the BHA and stakeholders to a “shortfall of around 2,000 …

The senior leadership team of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has stated that it remains united with stakeholders to address UK racing’s pending challenges. The statement follows questions raised about a ‘lack of confidence in the regulatory body‘, following recent disputes with counterpart organisations over its handling of controversies and disciplinary actions taken. The summer schedule saw the BHA criticised …

A rift has emerged in UK racing over the solutions available for jockeys to make weight allowances, as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) publishes its response to the use of saunas.  In 2021, the BHA decided to close saunas at racetracks due to the COVID-19 pandemic – a decision the Authority states was made based on expert medical advice and …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will begin trials of anti-doping saliva and sweat testing as measures to be reviewed for British racing’s Anti-Doping Pilot Program. The trials will begin this month, which could see the BHA reinstall oral fluid/saliva testing as part of its Anti-Doping Program. The saliva testing pilot was suspended in September 2022, as BHA awaited a comprehensive …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the members of its ‘Judicial Panel’ to oversee disciplinary affairs, appeals, and licensing disputes.  The panel has been reformed following last year’s departure of Chair Brian Baker (CBE), who was succeeded by sports law expert Sarah Crowther KC. Crowther and the BHA have undertaken a comprehensive consultation with diverse stakeholders to change the …

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 …

Legacy online betting community OLBG has declared that it has achieved a major milestone by distributing over £1m to its users through free-to-enter tipster competitions. Since its inception in August 2003, the platform has awarded a staggering 76,953 prizes, with the most successful winners earning up to £9,115 each. With its growing community and platform, OLBG competitions cover a wide …

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 …