Annamarie Phelps to Step Down as BHA Chair

British Horseracing Authority Chair, Annamarie Phelps, CBE, will not seek a second term in the role and will step down from the BHA Board at the conclusion of her term in May. Phelps will be replaced by BHA Independent Non-Executive Director, Joe Saumarez Smith. He will begin his new role once Phelp's term is up and will stay in that position until the end of his own term in September of 2023.

Annamarie Phelps said, “Following discussions with the Board of the BHA I have decided not to extend my time as BHA Chair beyond the end of the current term.

“This is a very important time for racing, with the recovery from the pandemic and the imminent publication of the Gambling Act Review White Paper both still very much on the sport's agenda. A significant review of the BHA is also underway, which will ensure that the BHA is future-proofed, efficient and has sufficient resource to serve racing's needs.

“We are at a key stage of discussions around a new governance structure that will provide clarity on the BHA's role as governing body and regulator.

“I am therefore delighted that I have been able to develop the following core principles with the BHA shareholders prior to my departure:

“Firstly, recognition that the BHA Board will maintain responsibility for both regulation and governance matters with an additional responsibility for leading the strategy for industry growth on behalf of our shareholders. That it will retain the same level of independent representation as at present, in line with governance best practice. Alongside this, we have agreed that the tripartite decision-making structure will be reviewed.

“There is much to do over the next three months to ensure these measures are fully and firmly in place for my successor before I step down, which I hope will provide a more appropriate, democratic and effective decision-making structure for the future.

“It has been a great privilege to lead the BHA during this challenging period for the sports sector, and to have recruited a fantastic CEO in Julie Harrington. I am immensely proud of what racing has achieved collectively in this time.

“I want to thank the amazing BHA team for navigating the pandemic and for keeping the show on the road behind the scenes, a role that is rarely acknowledged. It is a remarkable achievement that no fixtures were lost to Covid once British racing had become the first major sport to resume following the initial 2020 lockdown.

“We have also dealt successfully with some serious and complicated ethical and integrity matters that have set important precedents for the future, laid the foundations for greater diversity and inclusion across the sport, enhanced the industry's educational resources and safeguarding provisions and further increased our focus on the welfare of our horses and our people; all of which are essential to the sustainable health and prosperity of racing.

“I want to thank all those who have welcomed and supported me over the last three years, in particular those racecourses, trainers, owners, jockeys, stable staff and breeders who have shared their insight, aspirations and opinion, both here and overseas. I have loved the people, the racing and especially the horses.”

Joe Saumarez Smith said, “On behalf of the BHA Board, I would like to express my thanks to Annamarie, who has brought a broad perspective from other sports to the BHA Board table. During her time as Chair, she has laid the groundwork for significant change across the industry in a number of areas, and helped us navigate a series of challenging issues, not least the coronavirus pandemic and the BHA's own governance. The agreement of a number of core governance principles is potentially a defining moment for the industry. I look forward to continuing to work with Annamarie until the conclusion of her term.”

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Raj Parker Named to BHA Board

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 sports law will be a valuable asset to the Board and to the sport.

“We are also extremely grateful for the contribution made by Sir Paul Stephenson to the sport over his six years at the BHA. He has played a pivotal role in what has been a period of significant change when it comes to regulation and compliance within British racing. He is a person of utmost integrity who carries the respect and appreciation of everyone on the Board.”

Raj Parker added, “I'm extremely excited to be joining the Board of the BHA at this particular time, and becoming involved in the horseracing industry. I very much look forward to helping the Board with its commitment to effective regulation and integrity and to ensure that the sport continues to be clean, fair, and well governed.”

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Dr. Jerry Hill Awarded MBE

Dr. Jerry Hill, chief medical adviser for the British Horseracing Authority, has been awarded an MBE for services to horse racing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following racing's suspension on Mar. 18, 2020, Dr. Hill worked tirelessly with colleagues across racing and medical professionals to develop protocols to help the sport chart a safe course through the pandemic and facilitate its resumption.

Dr. Hill's expertise was recognized by the DCMS when he was invited to agree guidance on the resumption of elite sports in the UK, and he took the lead on drafting stage three of the return, which was quickly agreed by the public health authorities and allowed the return of all elite sport in the UK from June 1, 2020.

Dr. Hill has compiled a noteworthy body of work on medical provision in British racing over the last six years, which has also included expansion of physiotherapy provision to all British race meetings; facilitating academic research into jockey nutrition and mental health and concussion protocols.

Annamarie Phelps, chair of the BHA, said, “This award recognises Dr Hill's remarkable achievements on behalf of the racing industry. Jerry's priority throughout the COVID crisis has always been to put the health of racing's participants, racegoers and the general population first. This has similarly been the case throughout his six years as BHA Chief Medical Adviser, during which the sport has made significant progress in the field of participant health and wellbeing.”

Hill said, “I am genuinely humbled by this award. British racing's response to the coronavirus pandemic has been a truly collaborative one, and the industry has shown what it can achieve when it pulls together. I believe that this award reflects the hard work and commitment of many people across the sport.”

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UK Government to Examine Reform of Horserace Betty Levy and Gambling Reform

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 BHA Chair and Chief Executive Annamarie Phelps and Nick Rust, respectively, met with the Sports Minister in September, where the issue of re-examining the Levy was raised. The Levy returns 10% of the profits on racing made by betting companies to the sport. The BHA also engaged MPs with racing interests in their constituencies, who made their own representations to the Sports Minister.

“We welcome the announcement from the Minister that DCMS will examine in 2021 the timetable for reviewing the Levy,” said BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust. “Racing industry leaders agreed that there was an urgent case for reform as part of our plans to recover from COVID-19 and have presented a united front to government. As the Minister outlined in the House today, there are ongoing conversations between the BHA and government on Levy reform. We look forward to working with DCMS officials and ministers in 2021 to ensure that the Levy is sustainable and fit for the digital age.”

Also on Tuesday, the UK Government has launched a major and wide-ranging review of gambling laws, which the BHA also welcomes. They agree with the objectives of protecting vulnerable individuals from gambling-related harm, as well as accepting the need to ensure that gambling legislation is modernised for the digital age while reflecting the significant economic contribution that gambling and associated industries make to the UK.

Rust added, “Betting on horseracing is enjoyed by millions of people safely and responsibly, with a low prevalence for gambling related harm. Despite the low levels of problem gambling in the sport, racing promotes responsible gambling and is committed to working with the betting industry to further reduce risk. We will also work closely with our partners in the betting and racing industry to formulate our response to the consultation.

“We are pleased to hear that the review will be evidence-based and we look forward to proposals that are proportionate and focused on those at risk. We know the government is aware of the potential impact on related industries such as British racing and the 80,000 livelihoods it supports. The Minister, Nigel Huddleston, made clear in his address that the challenging conditions that sports find themselves in, and the importance of legitimate commercial relationships between sport and gambling, will be considered as part of the review

“Racing and betting’s unique, interdependent relationship has been recognised by government in many ways, including through the Horserace Betting Levy. British racing has laid the groundwork for the gambling consultation with an industry group meeting for several months. Detailed submissions and representations were also made to the recent Lords Special Inquiry, which highlighted the ‘special position’ of racing and betting.”

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