BHA | Horse Racing Free Tips

United Approach to Levy Reform Agreed Upon by BHA/Industry

A united approach regarding Levy reform has been agreed upon by the British Horseracing Authority and other industry leaders. Involved parties, among them racecourses, horsemen and the BHA met at the BHA Members Committee meeting last week and agreed upon the creation of a new steering group with regards to Levy reform which would analise all the options available as the COVID-19 pandemic continues alongside the economic downturn. Joe Saumarez-Smith will chair the new group which meets this week. The group will work alongside the BHA’s Public Affairs team. Other group members include Nevin Truesdale and Martin Cruddace, from the Jockey Club and ARC, and Charlie Parker and Philip Freedman, present and past Chairs of The Horsemen’s Group. Will Lambe and Richard Wayman will be the BHA Executive’s representatives.

“I am pleased that industry leaders have agreed on a united approach to government and the support this has had from trainers, breeders and racecourse groups,” said BHA Chairwoman Annamarie Phelps. “Now more than ever, racing needs to talk with one voice to government.

“Both I and other BHA Board colleagues have been having constructive conversations with industry colleagues over the past few weeks. As a governing body, it is vital we listen to the views of those whose livelihoods are dependent on a prosperous and sustainable industry.

“The Prime Minister promised that the Chancellor would prepare a package of support for sport. We have sent government at their request a new assessment of the impact of COVID on the finances of racing, including the potential mitigating impact of reform to the Levy, and making clear that the return of the public to racecourses is essential. Further proposals on the Levy are now being developed, supported by Nick Rust and his team.

“It is vital that we work through the appropriate channels, recognising racing’s close relationship with the betting industry. Pursuing alternative routes risks dividing racing into competing factions.”

Added Joe Saumarez-Smith, “There have already been extensive discussions recently about the various options for reforming the Levy. The Levy Steering Group has the full support of the representative bodies in racing and will now draw on the expertise of stakeholders across the industry, who will work with me and the BHA executive team to try and reach a united view of the industry on this crucial area of funding of the sport.”

The post United Approach to Levy Reform Agreed Upon by BHA/Industry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

GAIN Provides Update on Contaminant Investigation

After a weekend of intensive testing of GAIN’s equine feed ranges, batches and individual ingredients, progress has been made in the investigation into the presence of Zilpaterol in the contaminated feeds, the company announced late on Monday evening. The synthetic beta-agonist Zilpaterol, approved for use as a performance-enhancer in some beef production systems outside the EU, was found in some positive tests on horses that had consumed GAIN products in France last week. GAIN stressed that Zilpaterol has never formed part of any formulation in any GAIN animal nutrition ranges. They supply a large amount of trainers in Britain and Ireland.

GAIN said in a statement, “We have made significant progress in our investigation and are working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), who are the regulatory body responsible for the feed sector in Ireland. Following consultation with DAFM, we have re-commenced equine feed production and will be in contact with our customers regarding resumption of feed supply.

“We continue to ask our equine customers to refrain from feeding their current stock of GAIN Equine products to their animals. We again apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed.”

France Galop tested all of the O’Brien Arc weekend runners on Friday, as they had also utilised GAIN products, with Aidan, Joseph and Donnach O’Brien eventually withdrawing all of their horses entered on Arc Sunday when those tests came back positive. Down Under, Racing Victoria has also conducted tests for Zilpaterol on Aidan and Joseph O’Brien’s horses. The results are pending.

The British Horseracing Authority issued advice to trainers who have used GAIN’s equine feed ranges on Tuesday. An elective testing system-carried out by the BHA’s analytical laboratory, LGC– has been set up by the BHA.

“We anticipate that the sample analysis may take up to three working days to complete, though every effort will be made, within reason and depending on the volume of tests, to return results in time for any races in which horses are entered,” a spokesperson for the BHA told the Irish Field.

The post GAIN Provides Update on Contaminant Investigation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

CIR Launches ‘Step On Track’ Program

Careers in Racing (CiR), the careers marketing arm of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), announced the launch of a new program designed to introduce young people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to the horseracing industry. Step On Track, which has been developed in response to the lack of BAME representation within several areas of British racing, aims to engage young people from ethnic minorities with the sport, as well as highlighting career opportunities. The program will take place during Black History Month in the October half term (Oct. 26-30) and will include talks from inspirational racing figures, activities and the opportunity to go racing as a group at an appropriate point in the future. Upon completion of the course, the candidates will receive ongoing mentoring and guidance, as well as assistance in finding work experience placements within the industry.

The scheme will initially be open for between 6-12 people by way of a pilot, with the aim of increasing participation in future schemes. Candidates for the pilot event are being sourced in part through racing’s links with community groups such as Ebony Horse Club, Urban Equestrian, Gloucester City Riding Club and Park Palace Ponies.

Zoe Elliott, Head of Careers Marketing and Recruitment at the BHA said: “The proportion of BAME representation is an area which many sports are considering at present whether that be at participant, executive or leadership level. Racing is committed to striving to be a diverse and fully inclusive industry, but many are aware that young people from ethnic minorities may not have easily available access to learn about the sport of horseracing. We hope that Step On Track will be a positive initial step to showcase racing both as a sport and as an industry to young people who may not have encountered it before, with the longer term aim of growing the scheme to become a permanent part of our wider program of existing careers marketing activity.”

For more information, contact info@careersinracing.com.

The post CIR Launches ‘Step On Track’ Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

UK Jockeys Benefit Addition to Elite Traveller Exemption Protocols

Following a submission to Public Health England, there is now an addition to the British Horseracing Authority’s Elite Traveller Exemption (ETE) protocols for elite sportspeople and essential support staff, which is effective immediately. The ETE applies for frequent travellers for competition in a country not covered by the travel corridor exemption, thus jockeys, trainers and stable staff who make frequent trips abroad for competition at COVID-19 secure venues in non-exempt countries may choose to register for a “Frequent Private Traveller” (FPT) option. This ruling will directly benefit the jockeys, trainers and stable staff who will be engaged at the two-day G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 3-4.

The FPT programme requires weekly testing and daily post-travel monitoring with the BHA Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Jerry Hill, individuals who travel to compete at international venues on day-trips and via private transport will be exempt from the full period of self-isolation on their return. Following their return to the UK, all personnel participating in this programme must self-isolate for seven days and are only exempt from this condition to train or compete. For the new FPT option to apply, individuals must register with Dr. Hill at least four days before their first trip abroad.

Individuals who travel under this scheme will be monitored for a minimum of 21 days and will include:

Weekly COVID-19 test organised through BHA Medical Department funded by the applicant with the first test result returned prior to initial trip abroad. A minimum of three tests will be required under this scheme with two taking place after any trip.
Daily reporting of symptoms and temperature to the BHA CMA in the seven days after return from travel. Reporting will require the download of the BHA Smartabase Athlete Ap to allow reporting automatically via a smartphone.

The above protocols are in addition to the existing racecourse requirements for behind closed doors racing in Britain. Any positive tests will require immediate self-isolation for 10 days pending further investigation. For the full travel restriction details, go to www.britishhorseracing.com.

The post UK Jockeys Benefit Addition to Elite Traveller Exemption Protocols appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post