Brant Dunshea

A new three-year workforce strategy, designed to improve recruitment, development and retention of people working within the racing and breeding industries, has been announced by the independently-chaired Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB). Titled Our People, Racing's Future, the strategy encompasses five main themes, starting with the recruitment of more people with suitable skills, the training and development of new and existing members of the workforce, and improving employment practices to help with retention of staff. The final two elements are inclusion and wellbeing, with an emphasis on mental and physical...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced on Thursday that its chair, Joe Saumarez Smith, has made the decision to step down from his role with immediate effect, having been advised by his oncologist that he has leptomeningeal metastases. Senior independent director David Jones, who has previously deputised for Saumarez Smith, has assumed the role as interim chair of the BHA ahead of the formal handover to incoming chair Lord Charles Allen on June 1. Saumarez Smith, who became chair of the BHA in June 2022, having previously been on the...

The 18 finalists for the 2025 renewal of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, were announced on Monday. Now in their 21st year, the awards recognise and reward the skill, passion and commitment of the extraordinary people working across the British racing and breeding industry. The finalists will now head to York Racecourse on Monday, February 24 for the last round of judging and the prestigious ceremony, where the six category winners and overall Employee of the Year will be crowned. Hosted by Rishi Persad, the ceremony will...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed on Tuesday that the appointment of a new chief executive officer will be announced in the new year to allow the newly appointed BHA chair, Lord Allen of Kensington, to play a role in the recruitment process. Upon the completion of Julie Harrington's term on Tuesday, December 31, the BHA's current chief regulatory officer Brant Dunshea will take on the role of acting CEO while the recruitment process is finalised. Dunshea joined the BHA in March 2015. He was promoted to the role of...

It was confirmed on Tuesday by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) that Alphonse Le Grande (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), first past the post in Saturday's Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket, has been disqualified after apprentice jockey Jamie Powell was found to have used his whip above the permitted level. The race has been awarded to the original runner-up, Manxman (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}). In a statement, the BHA said, "Following his ride on Alphonse Le Grande in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap on Saturday 12 October, apprentice jockey Jamie Powell was...

The British Horseracing Authority approved new guidelines, penalties and procedures regarding the use of the padded whip Tuesday. In Flat racing, the rules will be fully implemented Mar. 27, with a bedding-in period that begins Feb. 27. In Jump racing, the bedding-in period will commence Jan. 9 before being fully implemented Feb. 6. During the bedding-in period, jockeys will be asked to ride under the new rules, however, will not be subject to the new penalty framework. The core recommendations include: Use of the whip for encouragement to be limited...

The British Horseracing Authority on Thursday opened a 10-week open, public consultation on British racing's whip rules and penalities. The consultation, a recommendation of the industry's independently chaired Horse Welfare Board, aims to gather and assess the views of industry participants, stakeholders and wider audiences regarding the rules, use, and penalties for rule breaches. The first part of the consultation is an online questionnaire that will be available until Sept. 6 and is open to anyone. The second part of the consultation will involve detailed discussions with relevant parties and...