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Jockeys’ Guard Of Honour For The Queen On Derby Day

As part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Britain, Her Majesty The Queen will be given a guard of honour of 40 retired and current jockeys on her arrival at Epsom on Cazoo Derby Day.

The Derby meeting on June 3 and 4 falls within an extended bank holiday weekend which will feature countrywide celebrations to mark the Queen's 70th anniversary on the throne. Epsom Downs Racecourse will further honour the occasion by renaming the Queen's Stand as The Queen Elizabeth II Stand.

The Derby is the only one of the five British Classics which has not been won by The Queen. In 1977, the year of her Silver Jubilee, she won the Oaks and the St Leger with Dunfermline (GB) (Royal Palace {GB}). That filly's jockey Willie Carson, now 79 and himself a Classic-winning breeder, will be among the guard of honour on Derby day.

He said, “[The Queen] is the patron of racing. Without her we would be a little bit lost, because her patronage is a very valuable thing.

“It's not just the horseracing she enjoys, she enjoys the breeding side of it. She likes to know from trainers how the horse is behaving and its attitude, its temperament. She wants to know those things. That's what she's really interested in. The winning post is the end result and she enjoys that, of course, but she enjoys everything before you get to the winning post. That gives her the most pleasure.”

The Queen last had a runner in the Derby in 2011 when Carlton House finished third to Pour Moi (Ire). She has three homebreds remaining among the entries for this year's race–the G3 Solario S. winner Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), last week's Newmarket winner Educator (GB) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), and General Idea (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). A reigning monarch has won the Derby only once, when Minoru (Ire) triumphed in 1909 for King Edward VII.

Phil White, London regional director of The Jockey Club, said, “We are absolutely delighted that this year's Cazoo Derby will be a part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations and excited and proud to be able to take the opportunity to thank Her Majesty The Queen for her enormous contribution to horseracing over many, many years.”

He continued, “We know that The Queen intends to be with us on the day and to mark her arrival at the racecourse we will form a guard of honour of around 40 retired and current jockeys all dressed in Her Majesty's silks. We're also inviting members of the local community and some local charities to support the guard of honour as flag-bearers.

“Derby Day always has that spectacular carnival atmosphere and we're looking forward to a display from the Red Devils and a military band's performance of the National Anthem which will all add to a wonderful occasion.”

Included among the guard of honour will be Derby-winning jockeys Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori and John Reid, as well as Hayley Turner, who has ridden regularly in the Queen's silks.

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New COVID Protocols Begin Dec. 15

In accordance with the updated UK Government protocols for sports venues, the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) issued an outline of protocols that enter effect Wednesday, Dec. 15.

“Racing must continue to do all we can to protect the health and livelihoods of our people and maintain business continuity,” said Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA's Chief Medical Adviser. “These measures are considered essential to support this objective at a time where cases of the Omicron variant of the virus are increasing exponentially and other sports are facing COVID-related fixture cancellations.

All attendees at fixtures in England where attendance is likely to exceed 4,000 will require evidence of COVID status certification. This will apply to individuals 18 or over. To enter the racecourse, individuals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have completed a negative lateral flow or PCR test a maximum 48 hours out, unless medically exempt. Any individuals entering weighing rooms will be subject to the same conditions. Face masks will also be required in all outdoor settings, as well as indoor settings unless food or drink is being consumed.

For more information on the BHA's procedures (updated periodically), click here.

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British Racing Unites to Highlight Industry Conduct

Several stakeholder bodies of British horseracing have assumed a united front in regard to the conduct of those who work in the sport, while committing to take wide-ranging action to offer support and education to the industry.

In an excerpt from a joint statement issued Tuesday by The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Association of Racing Staff (NARS), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and Racecourse Association (RCA):

“It is essential that horseracing remains a progressive, modern industry when it comes to the conduct of our people. We must prioritize the wellbeing and development of our workforce, stand against discrimination of any kind in British racing, and invest in making racing a safe, fulfilling place to work…We must encourage a culture of openness and seek to support anyone who faces problems or has found themselves in difficulty. We must promote a culture of respect in how those involved in racing interact with one another and promote more diversity and inclusion at all levels of the industry.”

All groups will take part in a working party which will report to the industry People Board and will assist in promoting the positive elements of conduct within the industry, education, deterring poor behaviour and discrimination while empowering people to call out conduct which falls short. The group will be chaired by the BHA and include representatives from the BHA, NTF, NARS, PJA, RCA, ROA and TBA.

The working party and resultant action lead the effort to introduce a new industry Code of Conduct, which will introduced in Spring 2022. The Code of Conduct has been developed by the signatories, who are also signatories of British racing's Diversity and Inclusion industry commitment. Among the working party's chief objectives is to ensure that the new Code of Conduct is properly communicated in addition to the introduction of the sport's new Safeguarding policy and regulations, which are also close to being finalized.

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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.”