British Horseracing Authority | Horse Racing Free Tips

De La Sayette Informed of Cocaine Positive By PJA, Suspended By BHA

Benoit de la Sayett has returned a positive test for cocaine, the Professional Jockeys Association announced on Tuesday morning. The British Horseracing Authority has subsequently suspended De La Sayette until the end of the disciplinary process.

The 18-year-old apprentice jockey to John and Thady Gosden was shown in a video on social media in late March allegedly in the presence of the drug at a party after winning the Unibet Lincoln H. at Doncaster aboard Haqeeqy (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) on Mar. 27. At that time, the PJA defended the young rider and denying the allegation that he “did not and does not take cocaine.”

After the video surfaced, the BHA tested De La Sayett for cocaine metabolites on Mar. 31. His urine sample was negative, but his hair sample was positive for metabolites of the drug. De La Sayette was notified of the positive hair sample by the BHA on Apr. 17, the PJA said. The Frenchman has now admitted to taking the drug and to not being as forthcoming to those advising him, but maintains that the video was from October 2019 and that he did not take the drug then or after winning the Lincoln.

De La Sayette opted not to ride at Brighton where he had mounts on Saturday and has not accepted any more rides in the interim. He is fully co-operating with the BHA's disciplinary process.

De la Sayette said in a statement issued by the PJA, “I cannot apologise enough for my actions, both in respect of taking cocaine and of misleading those around me. Earlier this year I moved back home to live with my parents in order to take myself away from an environment where it was present.

“There are no excuses and I am sorry for letting down my family, the team at Clarehaven Stables, Mr. Gosden and my colleagues in the weighing room.”

PJA Chief Executive Paul Struthers added, “Benoit is a very young man who only turned 18 in December 2020. He has made mistakes but the PJA will continue to support him throughout the process.”

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Amateur Rider Lorna Brooke Passes Away

Amateur rider Lorna Brooke passed away on Sunday after falling at Taunton earlier this month, the Injured Jockeys Fund announced on Monday morning. Brooke, 37, fell from Orchestrated (Ire) (Mahler {GB}), owned and trained by her mother, Lady Susan Brooke.

“It is with deep sadness that we have to share the tragic news that Lorna Brooke passed away yesterday,” the IJF statement said. “Her family thank everyone for their kindness in the last few weeks, particularly the staff at Southmead Hospital who were so professional. They will be having a private funeral and will hold a celebration of Lorna's life once Covid restrictions allow.”

Brooke's biggest win as a rider was aboard Moonlone Lane (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) at 25-1 in the Ladies Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse for trainer Paul Stafford in 2015.Overall, she celebrated 17 winners in Great Britain and Ireland since 2001/2002.

“We are deeply saddened to learn the tragic news of Lorna Brooke's passing,” the British Horseracing Authority said in a statement. “The entire racing community is in mourning today and our thoughts are with Lorna's family and friends.

“We ask for the privacy of Lorna's family to be respected at this time and we await the opportunity to celebrate her young life when restrictions allow.”

The Chief Executive of the BHA, Julie Harrington, said, “Everybody at the BHA is devastated by this news. Lorna was a much-loved member of our sport, in which she and her family are steeped.

“Lorna demonstrated many of the qualities that make British racing so special. She was a proud competitor and somebody who was driven by an abundance of love not only for the sport but for the horses she competed with.

“My thoughts, along with everybody else who loves racing, are with Lorna's family, friends and colleagues at this dreadful time.”

The Racecourse Association said in a statement, “The Racecourse Association is deeply saddened by the tragic news of Lorna Brooke's death as a result of injuries sustained following a fall whilst race-riding at Taunton Racecourse on Thursday, Apr. 8.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Lorna's family and friends during this time. The RCA is in contact with Taunton Racecourse and relevant authorities, offering our support as required. All racecourses racing today will observe a period of silence and display black armbands as a mark of respect to Lorna's memory.”

The Professional Jockeys Association added in a statement, “This is a devastating reminder of the dangers our brave men and women face and our thoughts and prayers are with Lorna's family, friends and colleagues. Lorna was an incredibly hard working, popular member of the weighing room and whilst her licence was as an amateur jockey, she was a professional in every other sense. We have lost one of our own and she will be sorely missed.”

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British Horseracing Authority Plans Increased Regulation Of Racing Syndicates

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is publishing plans to strengthen the regulation of shared racehorse ownership following an industry-wide consultation completed in the autumn of 2020.

The consultation, which formed part of one of the nine key goals for British racing's recovery plan, examined the current risks and opportunities of shared ownership and how they might be addressed through enhanced regulation and improved administration.

The industry plan for shared ownership, which has been developed through consideration of the consultation feedback and further engagement with stakeholders, details 10 key measures to be introduced as part of a phased implementation plan over the next 12 months. These can be read in full below.

The measures are designed to support public confidence in Syndicates and Racing Clubs and provide a solid foundation for the continued growth of shared ownership.

Key measures within the plans include strengthening the existing Code of Conduct for Syndicates, which was originally introduced in February 2017. The Code requires that all Syndicates which advertise publicly or charge a management fee must provide Syndicate members with a contract that covers specified areas.

These areas will be extended in addition to the BHA increasing its auditing of these contracts. As part of the registration process, and then through on-going spot-checks, the BHA will annually review a proportion of contracts to ensure and monitor compliance with the Code. A Code of Conduct will also be introduced for Racing Clubs.

The BHA will also require that Syndicators disclose the percentage shares held by each member of the Syndicate. Syndicate members will be able to view their own recorded shareholdings through the BHA's Racing Administration system from early 2022.

The plans also build on the existing regulation of shared ownerships which already includes the registration of all individuals who wish to manage, promote or administer a Syndicate or Racing Club. Further information will be sought as part of the registration process to better understand the financial arrangements of each entity and, in the case of a Syndicate receiving a significant amount of prize-money, Syndicators will be asked to outline how and when this will be paid to Syndicate members.

Plans will be developed and tested with Syndicators and Club Managers, which will help ensure the processes and systems that support implementation of the measures are effective, facilitate BHA regulation and simplify ownership administration.

Throughout implementation, each phase will be communicated in advance to all stakeholders with clear lead in times, in addition to help and support for Syndicators and Club Managers in understanding and adapting to the changes.

Richard Wayman, BHA Chief Operating Officer, said: “It is vital for the future of our sport that we are able to attract and retain racehorse owners. Syndicates and Racing Clubs clearly have a pivotal role to play in those efforts.

“The consultation responses confirmed that the sport has many extremely well-run Syndicates and Racing Clubs who give their members exemplary levels of service. It is crucial that the public can continue to have confidence in Syndicates and Racing Clubs, which these measures have been designed to support.

“My thanks go to all of those who took part in the consultation and took the time to offer the feedback which has been central in devising this important package of measures.”

Charlie Liverton, Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) Chief Executive, said: “Racehorse owners contribute over £30m a month to the rural economy and whether they are sole owners, in a Partnership with friends and family, or part of a Syndicate, their retention is critical to the future of the sport.

“Shared ownership in horse racing is thriving across many racing jurisdictions and ensuring that those joining a Syndicate or Racing Club have confidence in our sport is crucial. The ROA recognises this consultation as an important piece of work to build public confidence and join what is the greatest thrill – ownership of a racehorse.”

Dan Abraham, Racehorse Syndicates Association (RSA) Chairman, said: “The consultation conducted by the BHA confirms the outstanding ownership experience available to members of Syndicates and Clubs.

“The BHA's review and strengthening of the regulations related to shared ownership should even further enhance the public's confidence. The appeal of Syndicates and Clubs is stronger than ever and the RSA welcomes the BHA's approach to provide increased protection for members as well as Syndicators and Club Managers.”

The ten new measures, which will be implemented in a phased approach throughout 2021 and early 2022, are as follows:

PHASE 1 – For implementation from May 1, 2021

To extend the Syndicate Code of Conduct to cover new terms, including the acquisition costs of the horses, what will happen in the case of a horse's retirement and the dispute resolution procedure;
To introduce a new Code of Conduct to cover Racing Clubs;
To require Syndicators to confirm how and when prize money received following a significant win shall be paid to members; and,
To facilitate the addition of Syndicate members who accumulate bad debt to the forfeit list.

PHASE 2 – For implementation in Summer 2021

To introduce additional questions into the Syndicate registration form to better understand financial arrangements and how upfront costs will be covered; and,
To begin a sustained campaign to publicise the Codes of Conduct.

PHASE 3 – For implementation in early 2022

To ensure all Syndicate members and their percentage shares are recorded with the BHA;
To allow all Syndicate members with ≥2% share access to view their ownership online;
To begin auditing a proportion of Syndicate and Racing Club contracts to ensure compliance with the Codes of Conduct; and,
To prioritise the improvement of Syndicate and Racing Club administration systems to allow for easier compliance with new regulations and a better ownership experience.

A detailed breakdown the of measures including how they will be applied and who is expected to comply, along with a summary of consultation findings, can be found here.

Detailed guidance and support for Syndicators and Club Managers can be found on the BHA website here. Guidance includes access to the new Syndicate and Racing Club Codes of Conduct along with their FAQs.

The measures focus on shared ownership in the form of Syndicates and Racing Clubs. Syndicates are a form of ownership where members of a Syndicate share the ownership of one or more horses. Racing Clubs are a form of ownership where members of a Racing Club enjoy some of the benefits of being a racehorse owner, except they do not have any ownership rights of the horse. Instead, the ownership of the horse is retained by the Racing Club itself.

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UK Racing Welcomes Government Aid

UK racing organisations welcomed the news that the racing industry would receive £21 million in loan support, which was announced late on Sunday evening. The loan is to assist with the continuing financial fallout due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Racecourse Association (RCA) and The Horsemen's Group released a joint statement in response on Monday morning. The statement read:

“The leaders of British racing have welcomed the announcement that around £21 million of loan funding will be made available to the sport through the Sports Winter Survival Package. The money will be lent to the Horserace Betting Levy Board because of its role in providing central funding of industry costs of race-day regulation, equine welfare and industry training.

“Leaders representing the British Horseracing Authority, the Racecourse Association and The Horsemen's Group have been engaging with Sport England and DCMS since the Survival Package was announced on Nov. 19th. It is intended to help sports severely impacted by coronavirus restrictions over the winter months, notably where the absence of spectators and the revenue they provide would pose a threat to the survival of clubs or sporting teams.

“The funding model for racing is different from many sports where clubs will typically receive the revenues from spectators, employ the players or participants and fund the costs of staging sporting events. Racing's leaders asked government to allow the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) to be the recipient of loan funding, because of its role in providing central funding to support raceday and other industry costs. Work continues with the HBLB to agree how the loan funding can best be used to assist the industry with surviving and recovering from COVID 19.

“No changes are expected to the HBLB's plan for funding race-days and prize money until the end of June. But with spectators not returning to racecourses until May 17th at the earliest, and in reduced numbers at that point, the gap in revenues will continue into July and until a full return of race-goers is possible. The government has already indicated that further financial help may be available for sports affected over the summer, which British racing has also welcomed.

“Racing has taken into account the need to repay any funds borrowed from the original £40 million which government set as a limit for horseracing. Whilst the terms of the loans are favourable, there is a recognition that any debts incurred will have to be paid back from future Levy income. Racing's leaders will now work with the HBLB on a plan to repay the loans over the 10-year period.”

The BHA's Chief Executive Julie Harrington said: “We are extremely grateful to officials at Sport England, DCMS and the Treasury for their support in agreeing this funding to racing. We are grateful also to the Horserace Betting Levy Board for agreeing to our proposal and borrowing this money to support the central funding of racing. This money will help ensure racing continues behind closed doors despite the absence of spectator revenues. This will benefit our racecourses, our participants and their communities, and the vital role racing plays as an employer and contributor to the rural economy.”

“The RCA and its Members are very grateful to the HBLB, DCMS and Sport England for putting in place this vital funding for the sport,” said Racecourse Association Chief Executive David Armstrong. “Racecourses have suffered lost turnover of over £325m since the pandemic began and this funding will provide a crucial bridge for both Racecourses and Horsemen as we begin the long road to recovery.”

Charlie Liverton, Chief Executive of the Racecourse Owners Association, said, “Our thanks go to the officials at Sport England, DCMS and the Treasury for their help and support in providing this loan to British Racing. In particular, the team at Sport England for their time and advice during the process. The HBLB will be the recipients of the loan and we look forward to working with them to understand how the loan can be best utilized going forward. The Government's Sports Winter Package has provided financial support to many sports industries over the past few months and this support to British Racing is very welcome.”

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