British Horseracing Authority

Jumps jockey Robbie Dunne, who was banned for 18 months-three of which were suspended--due to conduct prejudicial to racing for his harassment and bullying of fellow rider Bryony Frost, has appealed the decision. The 36-year-old rider denied all but one of the charges brought against him by an independent British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary panel. Originally, Dunne had seven days to lodge his appeal from the time the written reasons for the verdict were published on Jan. 6, but an application for an extension to Jan. 20 was granted by...

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...

Treble British champion jockey Oisin Murphy has temporarily relinquished his licence while he seeks medical help following two positive tests for alcohol on the racecourse during 2021 and a breach of Covid protocols during the previous season.  The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) issued a statement on Murphy's behalf on Thursday which read, "On returning from abroad last September in 2020 I failed to follow the Covid protocol set out by the BHA. In breaking these rules, and attempting to mislead the BHA, I've let my governing body down, along with...

Tom Byrne has been appointed head of racing and betting for the British Horseracing Authority, a revised role that replaces head of racing and racecourses. That position was previously held by Paul Johnson, who commences his role as chief executive of the National Trainers Federation in January. Byrne joins the BHA after four years with the Horserace Betting Levy Board as operations manager. He previously held roles with GBI Racing and Racing Post. He will begin in the role in February and oversee the management and development of the BHA's...

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...

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee has called on the UK Government to support the British Thoroughbred industry through securing a replacement to the Tripartite Agreement. In a report titled Moving Animals Across Borders, EFRA also called on government to work with the industry on digital solutions to expedite the movement of Thoroughbreds, and to investigate the causes and scale of illegal horse movements. The report, which comes after Thoroughbred industry figures presented evidence to the Select Committee earlier this year, is welcomed by the...

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...