Tag: British Horseracing Authority

Spectator Restrictions to Continue as UK Government Hits Pause on Reopening

After the UK Government announced that they would be taking a four-week pause on the country's progression out of COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, the UK Racing industry acknowledged the reasons for the delay, but expressed disappointment at the news. The COVID-19 roadmap out of lockdown had been due to switch to Stage 4 on June 21, but instead the current restrictions will continue, affecting major racing events like Coral-Eclipse Day at Sandown Park, and the Moet & Chandon July Festival at Newmarket.

Currently, the industry is working with the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) to secure a £21-million loan from the UK Government's winter survival fund, however, seeking additional support from the Sport Survival Package will now be considered. As it stands, most race meetings have a max of 4,000 spectators allowed, with Royal Ascot participating in the Events Research Programme (ERP), which allows 12,000 racegoers for the five-day stand.

Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said, “While it is disappointing that plans for the relaxation of restrictions and the further return of spectators have been delayed, we of course understand the principle that Government's decisions should be evidence-based and public health must come first.

“Many of our racegoers will be frustrated by this delay, but we are doing all we can to work with national and local authorities to maximise the number of people allowed to attend race-meetings in safety.”

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Dr. Jerry Hill Awarded MBE

Dr. Jerry Hill, chief medical adviser for the British Horseracing Authority, has been awarded an MBE for services to horse racing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following racing's suspension on Mar. 18, 2020, Dr. Hill worked tirelessly with colleagues across racing and medical professionals to develop protocols to help the sport chart a safe course through the pandemic and facilitate its resumption.

Dr. Hill's expertise was recognized by the DCMS when he was invited to agree guidance on the resumption of elite sports in the UK, and he took the lead on drafting stage three of the return, which was quickly agreed by the public health authorities and allowed the return of all elite sport in the UK from June 1, 2020.

Dr. Hill has compiled a noteworthy body of work on medical provision in British racing over the last six years, which has also included expansion of physiotherapy provision to all British race meetings; facilitating academic research into jockey nutrition and mental health and concussion protocols.

Annamarie Phelps, chair of the BHA, said, “This award recognises Dr Hill's remarkable achievements on behalf of the racing industry. Jerry's priority throughout the COVID crisis has always been to put the health of racing's participants, racegoers and the general population first. This has similarly been the case throughout his six years as BHA Chief Medical Adviser, during which the sport has made significant progress in the field of participant health and wellbeing.”

Hill said, “I am genuinely humbled by this award. British racing's response to the coronavirus pandemic has been a truly collaborative one, and the industry has shown what it can achieve when it pulls together. I believe that this award reflects the hard work and commitment of many people across the sport.”

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Welsh Racegoers To Return Next Week

With the news that spectators will be permitted to return to the races in Wales from Monday, racegoers are now able to attend courses across all three nations in Britain. Four-thousand spectators will be permitted at a fixture in Wales, with the first to take place under those guidelines at Chepstow on June 11. Spectators returned in England and Scotland on May 17; 4,000 spectators are currently permitted at a fixture in England, with Royal Ascot set to be a pilot event allowing 12,000.

The next phase in the UK Government's rollout, step four, is due to take place on June 21, though the government is not expected to confirm until June 14 whether it will proceed with step four or what that will entail for sporting events.

Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said, “I'm very positive about the ability of racing to take place safely as we've demonstrated throughout the long period of racing behind closed doors. I have been able to make that point directly to ministers and am delighted that Royal Ascot has been selected as a pilot event.

“We are now awaiting the government's review of social distancing rules, which need to be relaxed if we are to welcome back more spectators from 21 June. There is a lot of speculation in the media, but the government has told us no decision has yet been made. We are working closely alongside other elite sports to seek clarity from government at the earliest possible moment. There are a number of major sporting events shortly after 21 June, such as the Euros, Wimbledon, the Open Golf and the British Grand Prix.

“We thank all those owners and spectators attending racing at present for their patience in bearing with restrictions and look forward to the day when these can be safely removed.”

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UK: Jockey Plans To Appeal Seven-Day Ban For Ride Aboard Wayward 2-Year-Old

Jockey Jason Watson plans to appeal a seven-day ban handed down by British Horseracing Authority stewards for his ride aboard the 2-year-old Noisy Night at Nottingham on Tuesday, reports racingtv.com.

The Roger Charlton trainee veered sharply to the left after the start, and wound up nearly a dozen lengths behind the field early on.

Watson guided Noisy Night across the wire in second-last, beaten approximately 26 lengths.

A statement from the stewards acknowledged the slow start, but added that the ban was handed down because Watson: “had failed to ride the colt in such a way that he could be seen to ask Noisy Night for any form of effort or encouragement to get competitive or improve its position in the final stages of the race.”

Watson took to social media, replying: “I feel very victimized and unsure of the true intentions of the BHA. Today I done what any horseman would have done in the circumstances having been onboard a first time out 2 year old. My priority lies with the horses welfare.”

Trainer Charlton was contacted about the ride, and did not have a complaint.

Read more at racingtv.com.

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