BHA

Every person entering a UK weighing room on a raceday will be required to present on arrival evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT) beginning on Jan. 5, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday. This mandate dovetails with the requirements introduced on Dec. 15, and is in response to the continued increase in COVID-19 cases. The LFT should be completed on each day of racing prior to travelling. Proper evidence of a negative LFT must be demonstrated either via the NHS App, or an NH text message or...

In accordance with the updated UK Government protocols for sports venues, the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) issued an outline of protocols that enter effect Wednesday, Dec. 15. "Racing must continue to do all we can to protect the health and livelihoods of our people and maintain business continuity," said Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA's Chief Medical Adviser. "These measures are considered essential to support this objective at a time where cases of the Omicron variant of the virus are increasing exponentially and other sports are facing COVID-related fixture cancellations. All...

Several stakeholder bodies of British horseracing have assumed a united front in regard to the conduct of those who work in the sport, while committing to take wide-ranging action to offer support and education to the industry. In an excerpt from a joint statement issued Tuesday by The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Association of Racing Staff (NARS), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and Racecourse Association (RCA): "It is essential that horseracing remains a progressive, modern industry when it...

Jockey Robbie Dunne has been suspended from riding for 18 months, three of which were suspended, for conduct prejudicial to racing for his harassment and bullying of fellow rider Bryony Frost as the British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel handed down their verdict on Thursday morning. Dunne's suspension begins immediately and he has seven days to appeal. Charged with seven counts in total, Dunne was found in breach of four counts prejudicial to horseracing--rule (J) 19--and three of violent and threatening behavior, with only one charge denied. The three-person panel, chaired...

An initial assessment of British racing's progress on environmental sustainability, initiated and funded by the Racing Foundation, has been commissioned by British racing's leaders. The aim is to build a clearer overall picture of current environmental activities and expertise across racing and breeding-establishing what's already being done, where there's potential to go further, and how this could be achieved. It will also identify the key sustainability issues, risks, and opportunities for racing. The scoping assessment is likely to cover several areas of environmental sustainability, including CO2 emissions, decarbonisation and renewable...

The shortlists for six awards of the upcoming 2022 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards were revealed on Monday. Sponsored by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in association with the Racing Post and Racing TV, the awards recognise and reward the outstanding skills, commitment and contribution of over 10,000 stud and stable staff in England, Scotland and Wales. The 2022 awards will carry total prizemony of £128,500, with as much as £30,000 available to a single yard or stud. The finalists will be announced early next...

Raj Parker, a regulatory and sports law specialist, has been appointed to the Board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Parker will start his new role as an Independent Non-Executive Regulatory Director on Jan. 1, 2022, and will replace Sir Paul Stephenson, whose term expires on New Year's Eve. Currently, Parker is a senior advisor at the Financial Conduct Authority and has dealt with many investigations involving integrity issues. BHA Chair Annamarie Phelps said, "We are delighted to welcome Raj to the Board. His prodigious experience in regulatory matters and...

Saunas will be removed from all jockeys' quarters in Britain as part of a long-term programme to modernise weighing rooms that has been developed by a cross-industry group of jockeys, racehorses and the British Horseracing Authority. Weighing room saunas have been closed as part of Covid safety measures since the onset of the pandemic, and 88% of jockeys polled support their removal. Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA chief medical adviser, said, "Saunas have been out of operation throughout the pandemic, which has presented the opportunity for a wider discussion about their...

Several changes to the British Rules of Racing were confirmed by the British Horseracing Authority on Thursday. These changes, which will come into effect in the coming months, were approved by the BHA Board, following engagement with and feedback from participants and stakeholders. The changes are as follows: All horses entered to run in a race in Britain must be signed out of the human food chain via its passport by Jan. 1, 2022. The UK's equine influenza vaccination requirements were updated to bring them in line with other European...

Trainer Johnny Farrelly has been found in breach of six offences under Regulation 4 and one under Regulation 6 of the BHA Safeguarding Regulations and has been permanently excluded from British racing, the British Horseracing Authority announced. The ruling follows five days of hearings in front of the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP), with the case referred by the BHA. Farrelly will not have the right to review until at least seven years have passed, with the exclusion beginning on Oct. 5, 2021. Farrelly, a former jockey, has indicated he will...

Jockey Benoit de la Sayette, who had been suspended after returning a positive test for cocaine in the spring, could return to the saddle in October after attending a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel on Thursday. De la Sayette was given a six-month ban backdated to April. A rising star for the John and Thady Gosden yard after riding Haqeeqy (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) to a win in the Lincoln at Doncaster, a video circulated on social media of De la Sayette allegedly at a party in the presence...

The 2022 UK fixture list was published by the British Horseracing Authority on behalf of the sport's tripartite governance structure of the BHA, racecourses and horsemen and women, on Monday. Comprised of 1,482 fixtures, the 2022 fixture list was developed by the industry's Fixtures and Funding Group, which contains cross-industry representation and was approved by all members of the group and the sport's tripartite executive committee. The list was presented to the BHA Board for approval on Sept. 9. The total fixtures for 2021 was 1,486. There were several significant...