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Given Appointed To BHA Welfare Role

James Given will cease training at the end of the year to take up the role of Director of Equine Health and Welfare with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) from January.

Given qualified as a vet in 1990 and was assistant trainer to fellow vet Mark Johnston before starting training in his own right in 1998. Since then his stable has been represented by the G2 Flying Childers S. victrix Wunders Dream (Ire) and fellow group winners Dandino (GB), Trick Or Treat (GB), Summitville (GB), Jessica’s Dream (Ire), Lady Gloria (GB) and Indian Days (GB) as well as the classy stayer Hugs Dancer (GB).

Currently chair of the BHA’s Ethics Committee, he is also a member of the racing industry’s Horse Welfare Board and a trustee of the British Racing School.

Given, who will replace David Sykes in the role, said, “I am delighted to be joining the BHA and welcome the opportunity to strive for ever-improving welfare standards for racehorses. The current standards are world leading, but there is no time to rest on our laurels in a world demanding greater accountability. I look forward to working with colleagues across the industry, to show that racing is a compassionate sport that puts the welfare of horses at the centre of all we do. I know I am joining a team that shares and represents these ideals.”

He added, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a trainer and am eternally grateful to all the people who have helped me along this journey—to the owners, many who have become friends, and the outstanding people who have been part of my team, over many years of hard work. I am also grateful to all the horses, fast and slow, willing and less so, that it has been a privilege and a pleasure to look after.”

The BHA’s chief regulatory office Brant Dunshea commented, “We are extremely excited to welcome James to this role. He brings with him not only extensive clinical experience as a veterinarian, but also first-hand experience of training racehorses at the highest level. He has already been integral to the development of the industry’s welfare strategy through his involvement on the Horse Welfare Board, this will complement the equally important regulatory requirements of the role.

“We are delighted that James will be able to continue the excellent work of David Sykes who has made significant progress in his time at the BHA in modernising the equine health and welfare department and improving the quality of life of our horses. We are grateful to David for everything he has done on behalf of the sport.”

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Face Coverings Mandatory at British Race Fixtures

In an effort to further enhance existing COVID-19 control measures, all racecourse attendees at behind closed doors race fixtures will be required to wear a face covering at all times while at the beginning Monday, Oct. 26. Face coverings (i.e. non-medical face coverings) must be worn at the racecourse by all attendees who are not identified as needing certified/higher grade PPE (e.g. medical and cleaning staff).

Face coverings will be required in all indoor and outdoor areas of both the Green Zone and Owner Zone throughout the day. For more information on BHA’s COVID-19 protocols, click here.

Attendees must also continue to follow existing infection control requirements, including avoiding close contact and socially distancing in line with government guidance and BHA protocols.

“Our behind closed doors model and the vigilance of our participants and officials has enabled racing to return safely, with no evidence of transmission of Covid-19 on the racecourse,” said Dr. Jerry Hill, the BHA’s Chief Medical Adviser. “Even in the period since resumption, there has been a growing scientific consensus that, when used correctly, face coverings can help to reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets.

“They provide an additional layer of infection control which, used alongside other essential measures like frequent handwashing and strict social distancing, can help racing reduce our risk of transmission and safeguard our industry from the virus.

“With cases rising across the country and more areas subject to local lockdowns and restrictions, we believe that making face coverings compulsory for all attendees–except, of course, where exemptions apply–is a sensible and necessary precaution to bolster our existing protocols and help keep everyone safe”.

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BHA, Sky Sports Partner for ‘Step on Track’ Programme

Sky Sports Racing has partnered with the British Horseracing Authority ‘Step on Track’ Programme, which will take pace via ZOOM Oct. 26-30. Conceived by the BHA’s Careers in Racing team, the focus for the week will be to develop interest in the sport from groups currently under represented in horseracing. Aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds, the first ‘Step on Track’ comprises a week-long programme of talks involving high-profile names from across all areas of the horseracing industry.

Chief Executive of At The Races and Sky Sports Racing, Matthew Imi, said: “The programme of events that the Careers in Racing team have been able to put on during next week’s ‘Step on Track’ will provide participants with a broad range of career options they might want to consider and we are very grateful to all of our colleagues within the sport who are supporting us with their time and expertise. Along with organising work experience and mentoring, this is the sort of initiative which will help expose horseracing to those from ethnic minority backgrounds and allow them to explore career opportunities in racing, the UK’s second largest spectator sport.”

Added Zoe Elliott, Head of Careers Marketing and Recruitment at the BHA, “When anyone is thinking what they might want to do work wise, they really need to be able to ‘see it’ in order to understand that they can ‘be it’ so making career options and job roles visible–and having BAME ambassadors-is really important to careers in racing. We are very much looking forward to developing the Step on Track Programme over the next few years.”

For more information on the Step on Track Programme, click here.

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O’Brien Apologizes, BHA To Investigate Equine Mix-Up In Friday’s Fillies’ Mile

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has issued a public apology after a mix-up occurred in Friday's Fillies' Mile at Newmarket, reports the Racing Post. The Ballydoyle master's two entrants, Snowfall and Mother Earth, carried each other's numbers and intended jockeys.

Snowfall, reported to have finished third under James Doyle, actually finished eighth under William Buick.

“I contacted the BHA straight away and let them know what is after happening,” O'Brien told racingpost.com, adding that he made the call after watching the race on delay. “We have a team based in England these days because of the coronavirus restrictions, so the problem is the lads that are with the horses at home can't always go racing with them.”

“The BHA stewards have been made aware of a potential issue regarding the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket today which may have resulted in the incorrect rider and number cloths being carried by the two horses trained by Aidan O'Brien,” reads a statement from the British Horseracing Authority. “A stewards' inquiry will be held on the racecourse tomorrow to consider all of the relevant evidence and determine the course of events and what action needs to be taken.”