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Ferguson Appointed To BHA Board

Noted bloodstock agent, former trainer and well-known industry figure John Ferguson has been appointed to the Board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the sport's governing and regulatory body. He is one of two Member-Nominated Directors as nominated by the TBA, ROA and NTF (acting on behalf of Licensed Personnel). Ferguson takes over from Luca Cumani, whose term on the BHA Board has ended.

Ferguson has held a wide variety of positions within the Thoroughbred industry. He served as stable staff and assistant to trainer Sir Michael Stoute and, on his own, trained 287 National Hunt winners (including top-level scorers Ruacana and Parlour Games). He has also been a racing manager, owner, breeder and bloodstock agent, most notably as advisor to Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin for 22 years from 1994-2017. He was also Chief Executive of Godolphin for a time.

In 2021, he established Natalma Bloodstock, a bloodstock investment company which has broodmares in Europe, the United States and Australia. He is also a member of the UK Jockey Club, US Jockey Club and has a Japan Racing Association owners licence.

Ferguson said: “Having had a career in horseracing that has been beyond my wildest dreams, working for some incredible people, I feel honoured and privileged to have been offered this role.

“Having worked as a member of stable staff and had my first novice hurdle winner at Hexham, through to breeding, owning and selling horses all over the world, I hope that I am able to well represent licensed personnel.

“It is now in our hands to shape horseracing into a sustainable and fabulous sport for future generations.”

Added BHA Chair Joe Saumarez: “We are delighted to welcome John to the Board. He brings with him extensive experience of the training and bloodstock industries, alongside his intimate knowledge of the industry's workings from his time as a senior leader in the sport.

“We are all extremely grateful to Luca Cumani for his service to the Board. It was a privilege to work with someone of his knowledge and distinction. His understanding of every aspect of the horse and their training was of great benefit to the Board and the sport.”

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Customs Change for Temporary Thoroughbred Movement into Britain

Following continued representations to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group, a change to customs procedure has been made which will facilitate movement of horses into Britain for breeding and racing.

A new, industry-specific, facilitation has now been agreed by HMRC to the Temporary Admission procedure, allowing intermediaries (such as a transporter or shipper) to apply for an authorisation enabling them to move Thoroughbreds under multiple ownerships, without the need for a financial guarantee. Previously, in the majority of cases, Thoroughbreds entering Great Britain on a temporary basis had to be accompanied by a financial guarantee, equivalent to 20% of its value. The change follows similar procedure enacted by the Irish Revenue for movements of Thoroughbreds into Ireland for racing earlier this year.

Julian Richmond-Watson, Chair of the Thoroughbred Industries Steering Group, said: “The Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group has been engaging and offering proactive solutions on this matter, which has been causing significant industry concern, in discussions with HM Treasury and HMRC.

“We are therefore very grateful to HMRC for this industry-specific facilitation which recognises both the financial value and importance of international movement of thoroughbreds, and the challenges which the requirement for a guarantee was posing to owners and breeders looking to run their horses or breed them in Great Britain.”

Following Brexit, The Group's overall objective is to secure a settled future framework in which there are reduced administrative burdens on the movement of Thoroughbreds.

“We are committed to improving the situation and delivering a lasting settlement under which movement of Thoroughbreds for international competition and breeding, underpinned by the highest standards of equine health and welfare, is realised,” added Richmond-Watson.

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LFT Requirement For Weighing Room Deferred

Edited Press Release

Recognising the difficulty some participants and officials have had in ordering Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs), the racing industry COVID-19 Group has temporarily deferred the requirement, announced earlier this week, to show a negative lateral flow test to gain entry to the Weighing Room, which was due to take effect at all fixtures from 5 January.

Existing requirements will remain in place, including the need for COVID status certification for all Weighing Room attendees at all fixtures. Anyone unable to provide evidence of vaccination status will continue to require proof of a negative PCR or LFT test.

This pause is to allow participants to secure a supply of tests and we encourage you to continue your efforts to do so. A new implementation date will be announced once LFT supply issues improve.

If you have been able to obtain tests, we recommend you start testing on a regular basis to protect your colleagues should you contract COVID-19. You should not attend a race meeting if you feel unwell in any way and should get a PCR test as soon as possible. Please be aware that the symptoms of Omicron can be very mild to start with. While vaccination with booster remains a key defence against severe illness and death, you may still contract and pass on the virus, hence the value in combining vaccination with regular testing.

On the racecourse, please wear masks and maintain social distancing where possible and as directed, and minimise the time you spend in indoor spaces.

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Observations: Daughter of Punctilious Debuts at Newmarket

12.40 Newmarket, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
CRYSTAL CAPRICE (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) represents the longstanding De Rothschild–Sir Michael Stoute connection which has fared so well with members of this March-foaled bay's family down the years. The dam Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a talented but perhaps underachieving listed winner, is a half to three heavyweight performers to have raced in these silks in Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Among her peers is Lady Derby and Lady Ritblat's Arion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), herself related to equine royalty as a granddaughter of the great Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

1.15 Newmarket, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
CARNIVAL GIRL (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is a daughter of the 2005 G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Punctilious (GB) (Danehill), which makes her a full-sister to the G3 Autumn S. winner and G1 2000 Guineas fourth Military March (GB). Godolphin's Charlie Appleby-trained bay encounters another in the Sir Evelyn de Rothschild silks in Crystal Estrella (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), another Stoute trainee from the immediate family of the first division's protagonist Crystal Caprice (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

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