BHA Chief Julie Harrington Condemns Grand National Protests

British Horseracing Authority [BHA] chief executive Julie Harrington has condemned the actions of protestors who delayed the Grand National and also announced a “painstaking” analysis will take place in a bid to  try and understand what caused three fatalities over the three days of the meeting.

The Sandy Thomson-trained Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal fall at the first fence in the race that was delayed by around 15 minutes after animal activists stormed the track. Two more horses were killed at the meeting.

In a statement released on Sunday, Harrington said, “Our thoughts are with everyone connected to the horses who suffered fatal injuries this week. No one will be more affected by this news than the trainers, owners and stable staff who have provided these horses with first-class care and attention throughout their lives..

“The BHA and Aintree racecourse will now analyse the races in painstaking detail, as is the case every year, to build on our existing data and help us understand what caused these incidents.”

She added, “British racing works tirelessly to improve the sport's safety record and reduce avoidable risk. Every incident is reviewed by the BHA alongside the racecourse and other bodies. As a sport we have for years shown great determination and commitment to improve welfare standards by taking measured scientific, evidence-based, regulatory and education-based steps.

“It is for this reason that the fatal injury rate in the sport has reduced by over 1/3 in the last 20 years, to 0.2% of runners.”

Merseyside Police said 118 people were arrested during the protests. The response of racegoers at Aintree was also hailed after they played a role in deterring those who protested the race but Thomson blamed the 15-minute delay for driving the ill-fated Hill Sixteen “hyper” before the showpiece event.

Davy Russell, whose Grand National mount Galvin exited the race at the first and later collided with a ladder that had been left on the side of the racetrack by protestors, said that the delay caused by the animal rights activists had a detrimental effect on the horses. 

Speaking on Luck On Sunday, Russell said, “I'm not sure that the people who protested yesterday realised the damage they were doing. The experience they were laying upon the horse was unnecessary, and the experience they were laying on the trainers and the jockeys.”

Commenting on the protests, Harrington said, “We respect the right of anyone to hold views about our sport but we robustly condemn the reckless and potentially harmful actions of a handful of people in disrupting the race at a time when horses were in the parade ring.

“Those involved in British racing are rightly proud of our sport and the role it plays in providing an unparalleled quality of life for horses bred for racing. Love and respect for horses is at the heart of everything we do.

“The Grand National is and always will be an iconic sporting event and the actions of a small number of people will do nothing to diminish its huge and enduring international appeal.”

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BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington Issues Statement Following Tragic Week

Following a difficult week for racing which saw four pass away–including Jess Whalley, who collapsed and died on scene at Michael Owen's Manor House Stable Tuesday morning, BHA's Chief Executive Julie Harrington issued the following statement on Saturday:

“This has been a tragic week for all of us in the racing community.

“Jess Whalley was a shining example of what makes British racing so special. She dedicated herself to providing outstanding care to horses and it was while doing this that her life was suddenly and tragically cut short. On behalf of all of us at the BHA, I extend my sympathies to all who knew and loved Jess.

“Likewise we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mazar Allauddin following his death on Wednesday. A superb horseman who also exemplified the values of British racing, Mazar had quickly established himself as a key part of the Robert Cowell team and his loss will be keenly felt.

“Both of these incidents are unspeakably tragic and there are no words to adequately describe the grief of losing a friend, colleague and loved one in such circumstances. The BHA along with colleagues at Racing Welfare, NARS and the IJF, have been working to provide support for staff affected by what took place at each yard.

“We also mourn the recent passing of John Spearing, who died peacefully at the age of 82 and Dave Morris, who left us following a long illness, aged 74. Our thoughts are with John and Dave's families and friends at this sad time.”

Jockeys at all British tracks will wear black armbands this weekend in tribute to Jess, Mazar, John and Dave.

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Guest Named Employee of the Year At TIE Awards

Sarah Guest, the yard manager for trainer John O'Shea, was named the Employee of the Year during the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin in ceremonies held Monday evening at York Racecourse. It was the first in-person event since 2020 and was held for the first time in Yorkshire.

Guest took home a cash prize of £10,000 and an additional £10,000 to be divided among her colleagues at the John O'Shea yard.

Earlier in the evening, Guest was also presented with the Leadership Award, carrying a £5,000 prize and a similar amount for the yard, meaning she and her coworkers each ended with £15,000 following the ceremony.

“Sarah is a richly deserving winner of this prestigious award and, despite the high quality of the finalists brought forward to this evening's ceremony, she was a stand-out selection to be named the Employee of the Year,” said Nick Luck, chair of the judging panel. “There can be no doubting the importance of Sarah to the John O'Shea operation, which was demonstrated to greatest effect during 2022 when John O'Shea was unwell. Sarah is a shining example of the sort of hard work and dedication that keeps yards up and down the country running, and we as an industry can be rightly proud of her dedication to ensuring the well-being of her colleagues and the horses in her care.”

The £30,000 awared to Guest and her colleagues was part of a total of £128,500 offered by Godolphin. The ceremonies were hosted by Francesca Cumani and were organised by the British Horseracing Authority in conjunction with Racing Post and Racing TV.

Prime Minister Sunak Pays Tribute

In a message, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recognised the hard work and dedication of those who work in the Thoroughbred industry across Britain.

Sunak, whose Richmond Parliamentary constituency includes Middleham training centre and Catterick Racecourse, said: “I am delighted that the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards are taking place in Yorkshire for the first time.

“From my visits to Middleham, and Catterick Raceourse, both in my constituency, I have seen the sheer hard work, grit and dedication of all in British racing for the horses in their care.

“Tonight's finalists exemplify all that is best about British racing and breeding–an industry which does so much for communities across our country, generates over £4 billion for our economy, and showcases Britain on the global stage.

“I want to see British racing and breeding stay at the front of this global race in the years ahead.

“I wish the best of luck and congratulations to all of tonight's finalists.

“Though, if I may be a bit partisan, I do hope that Becky Smith can do the double for Middleham after Paddy Trainor's victory last year!”

TIEA Finalists (winners in bold italic type)

David Nicholson Newcomer

Amy Grieve – Rose Dobbin

Ryan Kavanagh – Amy Murphy

Stephanie Wing – George Scott Racing

Leadership

Becky Smith – Micky Hammond

Jessica O'Keefe – Venetia Williams

Sarah Guest – John O'Shea

Rider/Groom

Amy Vickers – Harry and Roger Charlton

Emma Tully – Susan Corbett-Girsonfield Stud & Racing

Rita Gillies – Lucinda Russell

Stud Staff

Andrew Rawlin – Blue Diamond Stud

Bethan Byrne – Godolphin Management Co Ltd

Davina Burrows – Deerfield Farm

Dedication

Claire Ricks – Marco Botti

David Crofts – Marcus Tregoning

Patrick McConville – Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd

The Community Award (In recognition of the wonderful work Rory MacDonald achieved at The British Racing School)

Gay Kelleway – For her work supporting Ukraine

Jo Foster – Community racehorse visits

Margo Walsh – The Jockey Club

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Additional Changes To UK Flat Programme Announced By BHA FPC

Following ratification by the European Pattern Committee (EPC), there are several additional changes to the UK 2023 Flat Pattern and listed race programme, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Flat Pattern Committee (FPC) announced on Wednesday.

The following races have been repositioned or relocated within the existing programme to help achieve a better spread of black-type opportunities in the relevant age and distance categories in 2023:

  • Listed Abingdon S. (10f, 3yo, f, early June), previously run at Newbury, will now take place at Goodwood on Sunday, June 11 and be run as the Listed Agnes Keyser S. (10f, 3yo, f) with a prize fund of £70,000
  • Listed Tapster S. (1m 3f 218y, 4yo+) will also be run at Goodwood on Sunday, June 11, rather than in late May, and will also offer prizemoney of £70,000, to mirror that of the Agnes Keyser
  • Listed Cathedral S. (6f, 3yo+) at Salisbury will move to Saturday, May 27 (previously mid-June)
  • Listed Stonehenge S. (8f, 2yo) at Salisbury will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 16 (a race which was otherwise due to be run in early September in 2023)

 

These adjustments follow the reduction of Group 3 and listed races announced earlier this year.

BHA Director of International Racing and Racing Development, Ruth Quinn, said, “The tactical adjustments announced today will help see that races are spaced more appropriately–providing a more balanced spread and volume of opportunities for connections at optimal times in the calendar, and supporting the shorter-term objectives of enhancing the competitiveness of Pattern and listed contests in 2023.

“On behalf of the FPC, I would like to thank Goodwood and Salisbury–and other racecourses with whom we work closely through these processes–for their support and cooperation with implementing these adjustments and with the industry's ongoing efforts to refine and strengthen the British Pattern.”

Edward Arkell, Director of Racing at Goodwood, said, “Goodwood is delighted to be hosting The Weatherbys Digital Solutions Agnes Keyser S. on the same card as the William Hill Tapster S. to provide a high class Sunday in June.

“We are grateful for Weatherbys sponsorship and the support of the Flat Pattern Committee in allocating us this race as part of Goodwood's continued commitment to the top end of British racing.”

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