British Racing Launches New Campaign to Address Welfare Concerns

A new communications campaign, HorsePWR, has been launched by British racing, designed to share and promote the facts around welfare in horseracing.

HorsePWR will have its own dedicated website to provide information about the sport and the thoroughbred, the lives they lead and the high welfare and safety standards within racing. The website also explores the areas that racing has committed to improve, from reducing risk on and off the racecourse to better supporting horses when they leave the sport.

The campaign has been led by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Great British Racing (GBR) and racing's Horse Welfare Board (HWB), with additional funding provided by the Jockey Club.

Kinross-based National Hunt trainer Lucinda Russell said of HorsePWR, “This is just what racing needs. We must provide the facts, help educate and confront the tough questions head on. The facts matter. We understand our responsibility and respect our horses and we want to make sure the public know this too.

“It's good to see us taking a new approach, showing pride in the lives we give our horses and challenging and correcting inaccurate information which is put into the public domain by those who are opposed to the sport.”

Robin Mounsey, BHA head of communications and HWB member, added, “The HorsePWR campaign sees the sport take a new approach when it comes to talking about welfare. It is about being up-front, open and transparent. It is about tackling head-on the elements of the sport that we know are areas of concern and providing information to educate and reassure.

“Those who work in the sport are rightly proud of our record and standards when it comes to welfare. This campaign provides a platform to allow those connected with the sport to share their pride. It will be aimed at racing's current and potential fans, seeking to ensure that future generations of racing followers are not lost to the sport due to negative perceptions around the welfare issues which are tackled by this campaign.”

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Footballer Ashley Barnes Banned By BHA

Ashley Barnes, a Norwich City striker, was banned for failing to cooperate in an ongoing investigation by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) this month, Sky Sports reported on Friday.

Barnes, 34, was put on the exclusion list maintained by the racing body, alongside his father-in-law John Higgins. The duo are not allowed on an property licensed by the BHA. Previously a registered owner in Britain, Barnes celebrated a winner with Manor Park (GB) (Medicean {GB}) at Newton Abbot in 2021.

“The BHA can confirm that the Ashley Barnes listed as an excluded person on our website is the professional footballer Ashley Barnes,” a BHA spokesperson told the Daily Mirror. “Mr Barnes has been excluded due to a failure to cooperate with a BHA investigation. As that investigation is ongoing, the BHA will make no further comment.”

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Racing Together Community Day Aims for Record Numbers

Racing Together, the industry's community engagement partnership, will host the 2024 community day on Wednesday, May 8 to coincide with the Boodles May Festival at Chester Racecourse, the organisation announced on Monday via press release.

British horseracing's national day of employee volunteering, the effort is supported by various charity and commercial partners with a focus on horseracing and bloodstock groups to give back as a team to their communities. Activities range from staff volunteering at local care homes to renovating stables, and picking up litter or collecting for local food banks.

In 2023, a record 75-plus groups took part with over 700 hours hours of manpower donated, an effort which included Tattersalls and Goffs as well as trainers nationwide, insurance brokers and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

“It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the social impact of racing and have some fun while doing it. We have already had lots of sign-ups and activity ideas for this year, so we are optimistic in beating the 75 organisations that were involved last year,” said Alex Shaw, the community engagement manager at Racing Together. “Assessing local need and getting people mobilized is the hallmark of this day; we also encourage colleagues unable to commit their time in early May to book in an activity which suits their calendars and to still be part of this industry-wide initiative.”

Anyone who would like to sign up is encouraged to visit the website or send in an email for more information.

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Ghiani Cops 34-Day Ban Due To Breaking The Whip Rules

Marco Ghiani, the champion apprentice in the UK in 2021, has been handed a 34-day ban by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA)'s Whip Review Committee.

Ghiani broke the whip rules for the fifth time in the last six months. A total of nine days of his ban have been deferred for a period of six months, and he will also need to complete a two-day training course. The rider already has a win at Royal Ascot to his credit with Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), and is also a group-winning rider. Previously suspended for six months due to a cocaine positive, the rider was aboard group winners Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the G3 Prix de Meautry and Roberto Escobarr (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Italian St Leger.

Also receiving a lengthy ban is apprentice Tommie Jakes, who has to serve a 24-day ban. Eight of his days have been deferred for six months, and he too, will need to complete a two-day training course.

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