British Horseracing Authority | Horse Racing Free Tips

Mullins Appointed To Welfare Board

Seamus Mullins has been appointed as the new member representing the Horsemen’s Group on British racing’s independently chaired Horse Welfare Board. Mullins replaces James Given, who will take up his post as the British Horseracing Authority’s new director of equine health and welfare at the beginning of next year. Given will remain on the Horse Welfare Board in his new capacity, replacing David Sykes.

Mullins said, “I’m greatly looking forward to joining the Horse Welfare Board and working with the racing industry to implement the strategy published earlier this year. Our welfare record and the passion of those working alongside our horses gives us much to be proud of as an industry, but there is always more that can be done and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to represent the views of fellow practitioners as we work together to keep improving our standards.”

Barry Johnson, chair of the Horse Welfare Board, said, “I’m thrilled to have Seamus joining the board and I’m sure his extensive experience both as a trainer and contributing to the many industry groups and committees he has been part of will bring useful and insightful experience to our ongoing work.”

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‘Human Error’ Behind Filly Named With Racial Slur; BHA To Review Naming Process

A filly racing at Wolverhampton this Saturday ignited social media when fans recognized her name as a racial slur, reports The Guardian. The offensive name was apparently an innocent mistake made by her owner, Emma Evans: the filly is sired by Bungle Inthejungle and was named “Jungle Bunny” in reference to a child's computer game called Jungle Bunny Run.

The filly has since been renamed Jungle Bells.

Two hours after the filly's race, the BHA wrote on Twitter acknowledging that the name was “deeply offensive and should not have been permitted. It was not picked up by the team responsible for filtering names. This is a human process and this was a human error.”

The British Horseracing Authority plans to review the process by which it approves racehorse names after the racial slur slipped by the naming committee.

In addition, a BHA spokesperson said: “We reiterate the apology that was issued after the horse ran. Racist language is not tolerated in our sport, whether intentional or accidental. We are opposed to racism and prejudice in all its forms and are committed to making British racing an open, diverse and inclusive industry that is welcoming to all.”

British Horseracing Authority Suspends Jockey 56 Days For ‘Absurd Exhibition’

A disciplinary panel at the British Horseracing Authority handed down a 56-day ban to conditional jockey Callum McKinnes on Friday, reports the Racing Post, for his ride aboard World Trip at Hereford in October. The mare finished fifth of 11 in the novice hurdle event.

“The panel has found Mr. McKinnes's breach of the riding standard required by the rules to be deliberate rather than the negligent breach he admitted,” read the panel's report. “It was behavior aggravated by his untruthfulness both before the Hereford stewards and before this panel. If he had ridden normally, there is every reason to think that World Trip would have improved her placing and finished fourth. Instead he rode in a way that brings racing into disrepute.”

During the hearing, it was alleged that McKinnes rode below the standard required by rules between the second-last and last hurdles, as well as for a large part of the finish. Asked to explain his “very exaggerated style” in those locations, McKinnes claimed he was riding normally; the panel revealed the jockey later admitted that to have been a deliberate lie.

The panel's report calls the ride “an absurd exhibition,” and added: “There can be no doubt that his conduct was deliberate, even if unexplained.”

BHA Revises Stop Race Procedure

A new stop race procedure, to take effect on Jan. 4, was revealed by the British Horseracing Authority on Monday. The revised procedure was developed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in conjunction with the Racecourse Association (RCA) and the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and have been made to ensure the procedure is as clear and safe as possible for riders, racecourse staff and for those on course.

The changes are as follows:

The stop race flag has been re-designed from yellow to orange and yellow quarters, to be as visible as possible and consistent with other racing jurisdictions
The stop race procedure now explicitly requires multiple flags to be deployed, either in multiple locations or multiple flags in one location if that is all that is possible
Fox 40 whistles will continue to be used, but there will now be no additional verbal instructions to ensure only the sound of the whistle can be heard
There will be tailored announcements via the public address system to ensure there is as much clarity as possible for those on course and broadcasters

The stop race flag will continue to be used by starters and advanced flag operators to ensure there is consistency for riders and that deployment of the stop race flag means they must cease riding. To view the current procedures, click here and to view the new procedure, click here.

“It is of paramount importance for the safety of all those involved, whether riding in the race or officiating the stop race procedures, that there is absolute clarity about what to do when the stop race flag is deployed,” said BHA Head of Raceday Officials Cathy O’Meara. “Under these revised procedures there will be one type of highly visible flag, deployed either in multiple locations or multiple times in one location, and one sound, to denote that riders must stop riding.

“We’ve also added in more clarity for those watching on course or via broadcasters, to ensure communication is clearer in the event of a void race. Working closely with the RCA and PJA has allowed us to come up with new procedures which we believe will work for everyone, and above all ensure that all the relevant parties are clear about what to do if a race has to be stopped.”

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