BHA

The British Horseracing Authority will this spring roll out a pilot programme to assess the use of saliva testing of jockeys on raceday to get near instant results for the presence of cocaine and other banned substances. The BHA is developing the pilot programme in conjunction with the Professional Jockeys Association. The programme would mean that any jockey testing positive could be stood down prior to race riding. Oral swabbing is highly cost effective, meaning that if successful the programme would result in a significant increase in raceday testing of...

The Feb. 8 appeal made by Hollie Doyle in regards to a six-day ban after improper use of the whip on Echo Brava (GB) (Proclamation {Ire}) at Kempton was denied by the British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel, the BHA announced on Monday. The six-day ban will stand. The Group 1-winning rider had chosen to appeal after feeling that the stewards' tone when conducting the original inquiry was objectionable.

Trainer Archie Watson's runners will not compete at racecourses for at least two weeks after a horse was found to be positive for Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) antibodies before an intended trip to France. Watson withdrew a trio of UK runners from races on Saturday and another runner from Southwell on Sunday. Horses infected with the virus are typically asymptomatic, but can display a fever, and conjunctivitis among other symptoms. "We recently had a horse undergo routine testing for transit to France as part of the new export testing protocols,"...

The British Horseracing Authority has acknowledged jockey Hollie Doyle's concerns regarding the handling of a recent stewards' inquiry and expressed their thanks to Doyle on Monday. During a BHA inquiry last month, Doyle indicated concern over the inquiry process itself. Doyle's inquiry dealt with improper use of the whip aboard Echo Brava (GB) (Proclamation {Ire}) at Kempton in January and resulted in a six-day ban. She opted to appeal, in part due to the stewards' tone when conducting the original inquiry. "It's important all parties involved in a stewards' inquiry...

Newbury Racecourse is in talks with the British Horseracing Authority to continue its role as a vaccination centre while simultaneously holding racing. Located in Berkshire, the venue is a COVID-19 vaccination centre and has the capacity to vaccinate 1,500 people daily. However, that service was halted on Wednesday, as that date marked a National Hunt card. Vaccinations will resume on Thursday, Jan. 21. The next fixture at the course in on Feb. 13. Newbury is not providing vaccinations seven days a week at this time. "The BHA supports the idea...

British Horseracing Authority Chief Executive Nick Rust will be honoured with an OBE for his service to the sport of horse racing. Rust steps down from his post on Jan. 1. He has served in his position for nearly six years and dealt with a range of issues, including changes to the Levy, presiding over a review of buying/selling bloodstock, the increasingly important improvements to horse welfare, increasing diversity and inclusion in the sport of horse racing in the UK and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Jumps jockey Bob Champion was...

The 2020 Annual Update from the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG) was published on Monday. The report highlights the importance of capitalising on the current momentum within British racing to continue to work together for a more diverse and inclusive sport. Funded by the Racing Foundation, the DiRSG report also contains discussion of ethnic diversity within racing in light of the worldwide conversation about race and racism seen this year, highlights a number of important individual milestones as well as the launch of a wide variety of industry initiatives...

A new stop race procedure, to take effect on Jan. 4, was revealed by the British Horseracing Authority on Monday. The revised procedure was developed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in conjunction with the Racecourse Association (RCA) and the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and have been made to ensure the procedure is as clear and safe as possible for riders, racecourse staff and for those on course. The changes are as follows: The stop race flag has been re-designed from yellow to orange and yellow quarters, to be as...

The UK Government will look into the timetable for reviewing the Horserace Betting Levy, and the news has been welcoming by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Not due for a review until 2024 under the current legislation, the Horserace Betting Levy is now on the table for next year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the funding issues of the industry, and the COVID-19 Recovery Plan, published in August, called for an urgent review as part of a wider initiative to restore industry finances. After the review was published, the...

A limited number of spectators will be allowed on certain English racecourses as of Dec. 2, the British Horseracing Authority announced. Spectators are permitted in some areas of England, according to the latest guidelines revealed by the UK government. Owners are able to attend fixtures across all three tiers, while regular spectators are allowed only in Tiers 1 and 2. Spectators and owners are both permitted in the Amber Zone (formerly the Owner Zone) at racecourses, but there will be specific areas reserved for owners only. Pre-registration is essential for...

The likely new arrangements pertaining to the movement of horses and people to and from the European Union from the UK beginning on Jan. 1 has been published for the British racing and breeding industries by the British Horseracing Authority. The information covers four key areas: Health Requirements-what checks your horse will require Customs & VAT requirements-what you will need to move horses Transport requirements-how to prepare for the transportation process Changes to free movement-what this means for movement of people A timeline for the requirements for horse movement has...

David Jones has been appointed to the British Horseracing Authority Board as a Regulatory Independent Non-Executive Director beginning on Jan. 1, the BHA announced on Monday. Jones replaces three-term BHA board member Andrew Merriam. Previously a racecourse Stewards' Panel Chair with a decade spent as a steward, as well as three years as a member of the Racecourse Committee at Kempton Park, Jones has also been a racehorse owner. In addition, he is a member of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)'s New Competition Board and has worked with...