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BHA/HRI Adjust Restrictions on Internationally-Trained Runners

Reciprocal arrangements on participation by runners trained in international jurisdictions were announced jointly by the British Horseracing Authority and Horse Racing Ireland on Monday. Beginning on Oct. 1, internationally-trained horses will be permitted to participate in all British races other than Class 5 and 6 handicaps/classified stakes on the Flat and Class 5 handicaps over Jumps. All such runners will be subject to the relevant government regulations. The same arrangements will also be introduced in Ireland on Oct. 1. The Irish Rules of Racing will continue to state that “a horse trained outside of Ireland, with a Flat handicap rating of less than 60 will not be qualified to run in an Irish Flat handicap.” All overseas runners in Ireland will also be required to adhere to Irish government guidelines and HRI protocols.

The UK Industry Racing Group determined that it is appropriate to relax these restrictions which were approved by the BHA board on Sept. 15. Going forward, the purpose of the new restrictions is intended to balance the importance of GB-trained horses being given an opportunity to run, especially in low-grade handicaps, with the requirement to improve the quality of racing and see the best possible horses compete, and encourage international competition. However, these restrictions will remain under constant review as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

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BHA Releases 2019 Financial Report

The British Horseracing Authority released a summary of its 2019 annual report and consolidated financial statements. BHA’s Chief Executive Nick Rust opted for the release of an abbreviated version of 2019 to augment the strategic report featured in the accounts. Audited accounts for last season show an operating loss of £767,000–over the budgeted-for deficit of £478,000–and is due, in part, to increased activity including the formation of the Horse Welfare Board. In the summary, Rust reflects on notable events during the year like the equine influenza outbreak, Brexit, the impact on the Levy of the Government’s Gambling Review of 2018 and the formation of the Horse Welfare Board. To view the 2019 accounts report, click here.

In an effort to mitigate a deficit stemming from Coronavirus in 2020, the BHA enacted fund-saving measures during the suspension of racing, including accessing employing government help schemes, pay cuts for BHA staff and Board, cost savings linked to efficiencies in the Fixture List and the negotiation of a rent freeze on the BHA’s head office. To view the BHA’s Coronavirus Recovery Plan, click here.

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UK Staff Declaration Process Changed

The process for how trainers declare staff to attend the racecourse using Racing Admin will change on Sept. 18, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Monday. There will be a new Declare Staff section on Racing admin which will include the staffmember’s:

Health status (green / amber / red)
Questionnaire status for that fixture (sent / completed / not sent)
Questionnaire Last Completed date (to help calculate a 7-day validity)

Also, the new area will give the ability to declare staff immediately after making a declaration to run, up until 1 p.m. on the day of declaration. The health screening questionnaires will be sent within 30 minutes of staff declarations (if less than 48 hours before the fixture.) There will be a live webinar at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 to explain the new features. For more information and to access the webinar info, please go to www.britishhorseracing.com.

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BHA Suspends Phoenix Thoroughbreds On Financial Grounds

The Racing Post reported Thursday that Phoenix Thoroughbreds has been suspended from racing in Britain. The British Horseracing Authority told the Post the group's racing accounts were frozen and the decision was made on the basis of finances rather than suitability.

Despite a declaration last month that it would no longer race in Great Britain, Phoenix did still have runners in the country, including Deja and Frankenstella running at York since the announcement. Runners for either Phoenix Thoroughbreds or Phoenix Ladies are not permitted “until further notice.”

French racing authorities have banned the ownership groups from racing in that country, and Australian racing authorities have launched investigations into Phoenix after the name of the group and its founder, Amer Abudlaziz Salman were implicated in connection with a cryptocurrency scam. Abdulaziz has denied allegations that he served as a money launderer for OneCoin.

The BHA released the following statement about the decision:

“Following Phoenix Thoroughbreds' recent decision to leave UK racing, the BHA can today confirm that effective as of Monday, September 7, Phoenix Thoroughbreds are no longer able to have runners in races in Great Britain until further notice. Any horse currently entered will not be permitted to be declared in its current ownership.

“The racing administration accounts of all registered ownership entities that involve Phoenix Thoroughbreds have been suspended.

“Whilst the BHA can confirm that they are in regular correspondence with Phoenix Thoroughbreds, having reviewed the information available to date, the BHA has taken the decision to suspend the relevant accounts meaning Phoenix Thoroughbreds are unable to make entries until further notice.”