Brant Dunshea

The British Horseracing Authority's chief executive Brant Dunshea has expressed his frustration that government ministers have determined there is to be no change in the rate of Levy. In a written statement Ian Murray, minister for creative industries, media and arts, said that due to the recent change in taxation in the gambling industry, "Government does not feel it is appropriate to pursue legislative changes to the rate of the horserace betting levy at this time." As a result, Dunshea has asked the government to look again at the introduction...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the launch of All in the Race, a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy designed to ensure British racing is an inclusive, safe and welcoming sport for everyone. Alongside the strategy, the BHA has also published a summary of new research into the experiences of ethnically and culturally diverse people working within the sport. Together, these publications set out a clear, evidence-based framework for action across the next three years. They aim to strengthen leadership, improve fairness and safety, widen opportunity, and ensure...

Hugo Palmer has been appointed as the new president of the National Trainers Federation (NTF), succeeding Nick Alexander, whose two-year term concluded at the Federation's Annual General Meeting in London on Monday. "I am honoured and delighted to take on this important role at a time when our industry continues to face a period of significant change and am encouraged by the discussions today on a positive way forward for the sport," said Palmer. It was also confirmed that Rebecca Menzies and Harry Eustace will serve as the NTF's next...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed the permanent appointment of Brant Dunshea as chief executive officer. Dunshea has been leading the BHA in an acting capacity since December 2024 following the departure of Julie Harrington. He has held several senior positions at British racing's governing and regulatory body since joining the organisation in March 2015, most recently as chief regulatory officer prior to being appointed acting CEO. The BHA board has also approved the appointment of David Jones as interim chair. This follows the resignation of Lord Charles Allen...

Ian Balding has been remembered by his daughter Clare as "fearless, funny and charming" as those around the world of racing paid tribute to the former champion trainer, whose death, at the age of 87, was announced by his family on Friday. On her Instagram account, the BBC broadcaster said, "My Dad was one of a kind. Fearless, funny and charming, he was an all-round sportsman, a great trainer and a beautiful horseman. He loved his dogs, his horses, and his family - probably in that order.  "He shared with...

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) held the 59th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA) at Le Méridien Paris Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France on Monday. During this year's Conference, there was a particular focus on racing betting, both in the legal and illegal markets, along with marketing and customer experience. Throughout the course of the day, 165 delegates from around 40 countries heard from leaders from around the globe on these pressing topics. "The International Conference has for many years provided a platform for all of us,...

Wednesday was a dark day for British racing. Racing cancelled across the land while the sport's leaders made an empassioned stand in the country's seat of power against a proposed rise in betting tax, warning of plenty more dark days to come.  There can be no denying the intent with which the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has set about alerting the government as to the very real threat to Britain's second-biggest spectator sport. The outcome of a proposed 'harmonisation' of betting taxes, which could see the tax on horserace betting...

In an extraordinary move by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), no race meetings will take place in Britain on Wednesday, September 10. The refusal to race is a protest at the British government's proposed tax rise on horserace betting, which, if approved, would bring it in line with betting on online gaming, pushing it up from 15 per cent to 21 per cent. This will be the first time that the sport has voluntarily refused to race in its modern history. The four meetings scheduled for that day will move...

Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), has revealed that the BHA is working to produce a set of "incredibly strict conditions" with Oisin Murphy following his conviction for drink-driving. Murphy, 29, was last week fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months having pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. Until the criminal proceedings were finalised, the BHA did not have the full details surrounding the case, according to Dunshea, who confirmed that conversations...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has urged the sport to collectively lobby the Government to back British racing and axe a proposal from the Treasury which could hit racing's finances to the tune of £66m in lost income. Those figures were published by the BHA for the first time on Wednesday, highlighting the potentially catastrophic consequences of the proposal to hike tax on horserace betting by bringing existing online betting duties into one single rate. At a time when affordability checks and the lack of a sustainable central funding model...

Brant Dunshea, acting CEO of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), has been elected vice-chair of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Authority (EMHF). Dunshea becomes one of three EMHF vice-chairs and will represent its member countries which are European and outside the European Union, with the others being the Channel Islands, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. He fills the vacancy created when former BHA CEO, Julie Harrington, left that organisation at the end of last year. Dunshea said, "I'm honoured to take on this role and look forward to working with new...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is expanding its equine anti-doping programme to include testing for evidence of gene doping, following extensive research into detection methods. In a significant move to protect the integrity of British racing and the welfare of thoroughbred racehorses, the testing will be incorporated immediately into the BHA's routine raceday and out of competition sampling processes. Gene doping includes the use of genetic or cellular manipulation of the horse's DNA, either directly via gene editing techniques or by the addition of genetic material into the cell by...