British Horseracing Authority | Horse Racing Free Tips

Jumps Racing Suspended At Southwell

The British Horseracing Authority and Arena Racing Company have made the joint decision to suspend jumps racing at Southwell until further notice after two further fatalities occurred at Thursday evening’s fixture. There have been six fatalities at the track between July 1 and Aug. 24 and a process is already underway to investigate them.

Brant Dunshea, chief regulatory officer at the BHA, said, “The BHA and ARC met earlier this week and agreed a series of immediate measures which were put in place for this evening’s meeting. The course was inspected prior to racing by a BHA Course Inspector and was deemed fit to race. Pre-race checks were also carried out on all horses competing by BHA Veterinary Officers. In the sad event of two further fatalities, we have jointly decided with ARC to suspend jump racing at Southwell until further notice whilst we work together to complete a detailed investigation.”

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Britain, Ireland To Utilise Non-Standard Race Times

After being trialled in February, non-standard race times-like the 2.22 at Warwick or the 3.13 at Fairyhouse-will be permanently introduced from the start of next month. The move will provide greater flexibility and avoid race clashes and delays during busy periods. Race times for events covered by ITV will remain standardised in traditional five-minute slots whenever possible.

Richard Wayman, chief operating officer of the British Horseracing Authority, said, “The trial of non-standard times in February resulted in a reduced number of race clashes and delays on busy afternoons, which was well-received by those watching, broadcasting and betting on the sport. This also had a positive impact on racing’s finances and following further collaboration with our colleagues in Ireland and discussions with the betting industry, we believe bringing in non-standard times on a permanent basis would continue to deliver considerable benefits to our customers.

Jason Morris, Horse Racing Ireland’s director of racing, added, “HRI works closely, through SIS, with the BHA and Racing TV to optimise race times between the two countries. The use of non-standard race times, when trialled earlier in the year, proved effective in terms of reducing race clashes and enhancing broadcast coverage, improving the viewing experience for our customers. We have therefore agreed to their continuing utilisation from the start of October. As with the trial period, at the request of Irish racecourses, the first race in Ireland will retain a standard time to aid their promotional efforts.”

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Limited Spectators to Return at English Racecourses in September

The Pertemps St Leger Festival at Doncaster is one of eight meetings that will be staged with crowds as part of stage five of the UK government’s plan to return spectators to elite sport, the Racecourse Association announced on Wednesday. Doncaster’s four-day Classic meeting from Sept. 9-12, a Sept. 21 Warwick fixture, and Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting from Sept. 24-26 have all been greenlit to allow racegoers in limited fashion. In Doncaster’s case, a maximum of 3,640 spectators will be allowed on the first day, increasing to 6,202 for the final three days. Each course submitted a detailed risk assessment and operating plan to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, with these courses selected to provide “a detailed case study for other racecourse to follow.” These experimental events with spectators will also test the operating protocols set out by the Sports Ground Safety Authority.

Racing halted in mid-March and resumed on June 1 without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Owners were finally allowed back to UK racecourses since July 4, Derby Day at Epsom Downs. On-course bookmakers were also allowed back last week. There was an aborted attempt to allow spectators back at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

David Armstrong, Chief Executive of the RCA, commented, “We are pleased to receive confirmation of our pilot events to welcome back crowds to racecourses and once again thank DCMS for entrusting the sport with this responsibility.

“Racecourses have been working for some time to this end and we are confident the events selected will provide strong case studies which will be of use to all.

“The disappointment of postponing our last confirmed pilot at Goodwood was felt across the sport, but the learnings and behind-the-scenes work have been of great value to others. Racing is ready to proceed in a safe manner and we are looking forward to once again welcoming crowds back to the racecourse.”

Mark Spincer, managing director of ARC’s racing division, said, “We are delighted that the government and local authorities have taken the decision to allow us to pilot the return of a crowd at Doncaster Racecourse.

“We were very proud to host the return of racing behind closed doors at Newcastle at the beginning of June and are grateful to the government for showing confidence in us to host this event.

“As with all sport and other live events, welcoming a crowd is absolutely fundamental to our business as well as being the heart and soul of the spectacle. The team at Doncaster have worked incredibly hard on making sure that we have all of the steps in place to welcome a limited number of spectators in a safe and efficient manner and we are really looking forward to welcoming people back on site to enjoy four excellent days of racing.

“The event is, of course, a pilot so the experience may be different than customers may have got used to in previous years, but we are putting everything in to making sure that our customers can have an enjoyable afternoon’s racing as well as offering valuable feedback to the process of allowing crowds back to sporting events more generally.

“The impact of the national lockdown has been immense on the racing industry, as it has been to all sports and live events businesses. Whilst we have been delighted to get back to work behind closed doors, our industry and many others rely massively on crowds, so to get this pilot event is a huge step in the right direction for all of us.”

Wales and Scotland will continue to race without spectators. The British Horseracing Authority and the Arena Racing Company are discussing the issue of spectators with the Welsh government and Scottish racing is also in talks with the Scottish government on the same matter.

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British Racing Agrees On Recovery Plan

Representatives of the British Horseracing Authority, horsemen and racecourses have agreed on a plan for the next stages of the industry’s recovery plan from COVID-19.

The recovery plan lists nine industry goals, which are as follows:

To secure a full resumption of race-day activity, with the best possible ownership and spectator experience, and the maximum attendance possible;
To maintain the health and safety of participants, staff and all those attending raceday meetings by continuing the safe return of racing and adherence to strict controls on social distancing;
To put in place a fixture list and race programme for 2021 that balances increasing revenues with the well being of participants and staff and takes account of the horse population;
To reduce the industry’s cost-base and be agile where new opportunities to increase revenue can be seized and mitigate the impact of recession, including the pursuit of immediate Levy reform;
To seek to maximise prize money for 2021 balanced against the financial constraints of stakeholders and the sport’s projected revenues, through new commercial agreements between racecourses and horsemen;
To agree a spending plan for central funds that best supports racing’s recovery;
To retain key investors, including existing owners, and reform rules for syndicates and clubs to protect members and increase their appeal to potential owners;
To present a safe, high-quality and consistent offer to race-day and betting customers based on a thorough understanding of their changing needs and behaviours due to COVID;
To put in place foundations for a longer-term sustainable recovery for British racing.

Click here for the full recovery plan.

Nick Rust, chief executive of the BHA, said, “it’s very important that this plan has been agreed by leaders from all parts of the racing industry. We know from the way we prepared to resume racing in June that working together works. The commitment shown by leaders in signing up to this recovery plan demonstrates a continued willingness to maintain a unified approach through the tough battles ahead.”

David Armstrong, chief executive of the Racecourse Association, added, “the whole industry worked very well to enable racing to return as the first major sport behind closed doors. Now we have to renew that collaboration as we enter this recovery phase and move beyond that into 2021. This plan brings together all the necessary components in one clear action plan with some ambitious goals. From a racecourse perspective the return of racegoers and the experience for owners are clear priorities that are already underway and we look forward to the wider recovery of the sport.”

Charlie Liverton, chief executive of the Racehorse Owners Association, said, “this new recovery plan goes further towards protecting the long-term future of our sport and formalizing collaboration between the stakeholders during this difficult period. It is imperative that we focus on the vital drivers that keep our sport going and growing: retaining owners and maximizing the sport’s revenues. There is a lot to be done but I am confident that, working together, we can deliver this vital work for participants across the industry.”

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