British Horseracing Authority

Stratford's popular hunter chase meeting scheduled for Friday, May 29 has been abandoned as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) implements further precautionary measures following a continued rise in reported equine influenza cases in the non-thoroughbred population. The BHA announced on Monday that, from Wednesday this week, only horses from licensed training yards will be permitted to enter racecourse property on a raceday, with all hunter chase races abandoned and other equine activities - including ex-racehorse parades, petting farms and pony rides as part of family fun day entertainment - cancelled....

The National Hunt meeting scheduled for Plumpton on Sunday has been abandoned by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as a "precautionary measure", after a confirmed case of equine influenza at a livery yard adjacent to the racecourse. The BHA said the discovery of equine flu and EHV-4 was in an unvaccinated non-thoroughbred horse based at the yard. Equine flu is highly contagious respiratory disease and can be airborne over reasonable distances and transmitted indirectly to horses, including via people. Racing in Britain was brought to a halt for six days...

Jockey Billy Loughnane has had his 21-day ban reduced to 14 days after the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) "obtained further evidence from parties present at the start" following the Southwell race in question. Loughnane had ridden Beelzebub (Dark Angel) in the day's final race on March 26, with the horse receiving a kick and deemed lame prior to the start. The jockey then rode Beelzebub back from the start, against the instructions of the Southwell vet. His ban was set to last from April 9-April 30. The statement read, "Having...

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...

High Value Developmental Races on the Flat will continue this season, with 76 races programmed to strengthen the British racing and breeding industry. The novice and maiden races are run with enhanced prize-money to support domestic breeding and encourage the purchase and racing of young talent in Britain. The programme of high value races is possible thanks to the support of British Stallion Studs (European Breeders' Fund), Darley, Juddmonte and Tattersalls, who combine with the BHA Development Fund to provide financial support for the initiative. The first High Value Developmental...

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...

Lord Charles Allen has resigned as chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) after just six months in the role, having been unable to achieve the governance change that he proposed when taking up his post on September 1. Lord Allen was first nominated as chair in November 2024, but the start of his tenure was delayed as the BHA said that he wished to "continue meeting stakeholders to better inform his vision for the sport". Three months later than was originally planned, Lord Allen stepped into his position at...

In one of his first public appearances since becoming chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in September, Lord Allen admitted that there is no "single silver bullet" to ease the significant challenges facing the sport. In a question-and-answer session with broadcaster Lydia Hislop following the 254th Gimcrack Dinner at York racecourse, Lord Allen, whose appointment to the BHA was announced in November 2024, spoke of his desire for the BHA to be a "world-leading authority". Addressing a gathering of around 200 guests on Tuesday evening, he said, "I used...

A new industry-wide plan to shape British racing's sustainable future was unveiled by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Thursday. Supported by the Racing Foundation and developed by the BHA, the new environmental plan is part of racing's wider industry strategy work to secure a sustainable future for our horses, people, businesses and communities. Implemented over an initial five-year period, the delivery of the strategy will be rooted in science and take an evidence-based approach, so that meaningful progress is made in four key areas: Reducing carbon emissions - through...

Stewards will be able to declare a horse a non-runner in any race without starting stalls if they deem that contender has been denied a fair start after a rule change was made by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Beginning next Wednesday, the rule change brings both NH and Flat together. There was already a similar rule in place since last May for horses jumping from the starting stalls. Stewards will be able to deem a horse a non-runner if they believe the horse did not get a fair start...

A number of changes to the upcoming 2025/2026 National Hunt programme, including a minimum rating requirement for Grade 1 novice and juvenile hurdles, were announced by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Thursday. Horses will only be allowed to run in the top-level contests should they have achieved a rating of 110 or higher, either through a published handicap mark or as assessed by the BHA handicapper to have to raced to that level in at least one hurdle run. There is also an increase in the number of weight-for-age...

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...