• The four breaches of Rule (J)19 originally found by the independent Disciplinary Panel have been adjusted to one overarching breach, which covers all offences
• Penalty reduced from 18 months suspension (three of which were suspended) to 10 months suspension (with no part suspended)

The suspension will now run from Dec. 10, 2021-Oct. 9, 2022.

In response to the news of the suspension reduction, the British Horseracing Authority released the following statement:

“The independent Appeal Board has today upheld the decision of the independent Disciplinary Panel that Robbie Dunne is in breach of Rule (J)19 in that his conduct was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain. We acknowledge their decision to amend the penalty he will serve and await the full reasons in relation to that aspect.

“This reduction in penalty in no way diminishes the recognition of the severity of the allegations that were brought against Mr. Dunne. Indeed, it continues to send a clear message that conduct of this nature cannot be tolerated in any working environment within our sport.

“Following the original decision last year, the BHA released a statement which outlines our commitment to improving workplace standards, conduct and wellbeing. Work is continuing with industry colleagues to finalise the industry code of conduct, with a view to it going before the BHA Board in the first half of the year. A cross-industry working party has also been formed to look at ways of improving education and awareness around the standards of conducted expected across the sport.

“Once again, we recognise that this has been a challenging period for all involved in this complex and emotive case, and we ask that the privacy and wellbeing of both parties is respected as they continue to receive the support of the appropriate bodies and those close to them.

“We now await the Appeal Board's written reasons before we can comment on any of the technicalities around their findings or any other matters associated with the hearing.”

The post Dunne Suspension Reduced to 10 Months After Appeal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The post Dunne Appeal To Be Heard on Mar. 30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The representatives of the culture of respect working party, which will meet monthly and be chaired by the BHA's Head of Industry Training and Retention Adam Green, is also made up of the BHA's Head Of Diversity Rose Grissell, Legal Regulation Advisor Tomas Nolan and Communications Consultant Emma Rouse; National Trainers Federation Chief Executive Paul Johnson; Professional Jockeys Association Acting Chief Executive Dale Gibson and jockey representatives Page Fuller and Andrew Mullen; National Association Of Racing Staff Chief Executive George McGrath; Racehorse Owners Association Executive Assistant Ruth Diver; the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's Colin Bryce; the Racecourse Association's Raceday Experience and Communications Manager Paul Swain; Racing Welfare's Director Of Welfare Simone Sear; and independent representative Dr. Eleanor Boden.

“There has been progress in racing in recent years towards improving a culture of respect, but it is important that we all acknowledge that there is more to be done,” said Green. “Having been a part of conducting the Code of Conduct consultation across the industry, I am left in no doubt that there is an overwhelming appetite from all quarters to improve the culture of respect and make sure that everybody involved in the sport is supportive of one another. The working party reflects the commitment from everyone to effect meaningful change for the future of racing.”

The post Culture Of Respect Working Party Established appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“The independent judicial panel has received an appeal from the representatives of Robbie Dunne in relation to the finding and penalty imposed on him by the disciplinary panel after its recent hearing,” reads at statement from the BHA. “The independent judicial panel will now convene an appeal board for the hearing and liaise with representatives of all parties regarding a potential date for the hearing, which will be communicated in due course.”

The chair of the disciplinary panel, Brian Barker, issued the following statement after the decision was handed down in December: “We are unable to accept Mr. Dunne's sweep of denials, criticisms and his reasoning. The tenor and type of language that we find was used towards Ms. Frost is totally unacceptable, whatever the frustrations about her style and whatever the habits of the weighing room. They fall squarely within the ambit of the prohibition set out in the rule.”

Read more at the Racing Post.

The post Jockey Robbie Dunne Appeals 18-Month Bullying Ban appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The BHA said in a statement, “The independent judicial panel has received an appeal from the representatives of Robbie Dunne in relation to the finding and penalty imposed on him by the disciplinary panel after its recent hearing.

“The independent judicial panel will now convene an appeal board for the hearing and liaise with representatives of all parties regarding a potential date for the hearing, which will be communicated in due course.”

The post Dunne Appeals Ban appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“Throughout my time at the PJA, I have been extremely fortunate to represent jockeys who I have nothing but complete admiration for,” Struthers said in a statement. “In my dealings with hundreds of jockeys over the years, I have learned a huge amount from them and have tried to treat everyone with sincerity, respect and decency.

“Due to the relentless nature of their lives, jockeys rightly need the PJA to be available at all times and this role is a way of life, not a job. As many in racing will empathise, this has taken a significant toll on my family and personal life, and it is the right time to step aside.

“Representing the courageous, dedicated and resilient men and women who make up our diverse membership has been the greatest privilege of my career. I would like to thank everyone that has supported me in my role and I am incredibly proud of what the PJA has achieved over the last 10 years. This is only possible thanks to a talented, hard-working team who share a passion for the job and an incredibly supportive membership.

“Finally, I am very confident that any recommendations and improved procedures that the PJA and the sport puts in place will serve all our members well and improve their lives. They deserve nothing less.”

PJA Chairman Jon Holmes said, “It is with regret that we have accepted Paul's resignation, but we understand and accept Paul's decision. Paul has given a decade of his life to tirelessly striving to improve the lives of our jockeys. I and the whole team here want to pay tribute to Paul and thank him for everything he has done across a decade of selfless service.”

The post Struthers To Leave PJA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The 25-year industry veteran recounted one incident with a former owner who attempted to enter her house and said: “F*** me and you can have any horse you want,” Davis wrote.

Davis also shared instances of another trainer and a member of the media yelling obscenities at her from across a crowded pub, and a jockey too busy flirting with her to listen to pre-race instructions.

Also a former jockey, Davis recalled her first day in the saddle.

“When I race-rode for the first time I had the jibes and the piss-taking in the weighing room, it was a horrid experience,” she wrote. “I grew up with a fairly handy father, a brother who didn't take any s***, I worked in pubs and nightclubs in London and no-one messed with me, however racing was different.”

Davis continued, admitting she used to see the bullying and hateful words as “just banter,” but adds, “then I grew up.”

“We want to be accepted when we are young,” she wrote. “The girls I have spoken to about the Bryony situation say, 'it's just Robbie, unless you stand up to him that's what he does;' fair play to them, however why should they??

“Why should any man (it does happen to them too) or woman need to draw a line in the sand with a male or a female bully?”

Read the full blog post here.

The post Sex In Exchange For Horses? English Trainer Jo Davis Shares Her Experience With Misogyny In Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Frost revealed the reasoning behind her decision to take the bullying matter to the BHA.

“In the end it came down to two things,” Frost told The Sun. “There was the point of I don't believe anyone should make anyone feel that way, that you're not worthy of being who you are.

“And the main one was I wouldn't be a decent human being if I one day saw someone go through what I did, knowing I could have done something to prevent it happening again.

“If I allowed it to happen I'd be going back on everything I stand for in my own rules of life, how you treat people. I didn't want to see anyone go through what I did.”

Over the course of the five-day hearing into Dunne's conduct, Frost's representative Louis Weston told the panel that Dunne had used “foul, sexually abusive and misogynistic language” toward Frost as well as threats to “cause her serious physical harm.”

Dunne's representative Roderick Moore argued that other female jockeys had not spoken out about malevolent behavior from Dunne.

Dunne gave testimony during the second week, arguing that when he said he would “put her through a wing,” he didn't mean it as a threat.

Reactions across the racing industry have been heavily mixed, and Frost hopes to find some sense of normalcy moving forward.

“I just want to enjoy my riding, I want to move forward. . . I just want to be me,” she told The Sun.

Read more at The Sun.

The post Frost Speaks Out After Bullying Ban: ‘If I Allowed It To Happen I’d Be Going Back On Everything I Stand For’  appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Association of Racing Staff (NARS), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and Racecourse Association (RCA) said:

“British racing is a diverse industry where individuals of varying identities and from a wide range of backgrounds work and compete side-by-side. It is a sport characterized by the shared values of camaraderie and conscientiousness, which come hand-in-hand with working in an elite sport and the risks associated with working alongside our equine athletes.

“It is essential that horseracing remains a progressive, modern industry when it comes to the conduct of our people. We must prioritize the wellbeing and development of our workforce, stand against discrimination of any kind in British racing, and invest in making racing a safe, fulfilling place to work.

“Great progress has already been made by the industry in terms of improving standards around training, education, employment practices, wellbeing, safeguarding and career development, with the entire sport involved in making racing a better place to work.

“However, there is always more that can and must be done. We must encourage a culture of openness and seek to support anyone who faces problems or has found themselves in difficulty. We must promote a culture of respect in how those involved in racing interact with one another and promote more diversity and inclusion at all levels of the industry.

“The signatories to this statement, therefore, today publicly commit to further improve standards, education and training around industry conduct, through the formation of a dedicated cross-industry working party.”

Next Steps

As part of this commitment, initial discussions around which commenced earlier this year, all the signatories have agreed to take part in a working party which will report into the industry People Board and will have the objectives of promoting the positive elements of conduct within the industry, educating our people, deterring poor behaviors and any form of discrimination while empowering our people to call out conduct which falls short of our joint expectations.

The group will be chaired by the BHA and include representatives from the BHA, NTF, NARS, PJA, RCA, ROA, TBA and/or – crucially – the people that they represent.

The working party will, as a priority, develop a specific action plan, which will be underpinned by research into the most effective examples of positive behavior change from other industries.

The formation of this working party and resultant action plan will form an important part of the previously announced project to introduce and embed a new industry Code of Conduct and underpinning regulations, which are being finalized with a view to being introduced in Spring 2022.

The Code of Conduct has been developed alongside all the signatories to this statement, who are also signatories of British racing's Diversity and Inclusion industry commitment.

The working party will have amongst its objectives ensuring that the new Code of Conduct is properly communicated, explained and understood and that it achieves its objectives of raising standards of behavior and conduct within the sport. The working party will also assist in the introduction of the sport's new Safeguarding policy and regulations, which are also close to being finalized.

The post ‘Promote A Culture Of Respect’: British Racing Stakeholders Form Group To Develop New Code Of Conduct appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Racing Post editor Tom Kerr wrote:

“The virtues of the weighing room, although real, have become distorted to the extent they have allowed something awful to take place. A preoccupation with self-sufficiency has allowed a poisonous relationship to fester like an untreated wound; an earthy and unaffected approach to banter has failed to distinguish between bickering and bullying; unwavering support for one's colleagues has become an inability to call out or even recognize wrongdoing.

“It is understandable that those who treasure the weighing room feel defensive of it, but we must hope senior riders past and present can find the perspective to recognize that whatever their affection for the man, Dunne's behavior was indefensible and the culture that permitted it was unhealthy. They should recognize that participating in a dangerous sport does not give license to ignore modern standards of behavior. They should make amends with Frost. And the code of silence must be replaced by a robust and respected code of conduct.

“In bringing and persevering with this case, [Frost] has shown remarkable resilience and courage. She dared to break the omerta of the weighing room, she refused to be cowed by her tormentor or the closed ranks of her colleagues, and she put herself in the firing line when it would have been simpler, and so much easier, to keep her head down.

“Should this case bring about the change it ought to, Britain's most successful female jump jockey will have, at considerable cost to herself, done her sport a tremendous service.”

On Thursday, the British Horseracing Authority issued an 18-month ban of jockey Robbie Dunne for conduct the BHA considered prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct, and good reputation of horseracing by bullying and harassing a fellow licensed jockey, Bryony Frost.

In issuing the ruling, disciplinary panel chair Brian Barker said: “The tenor and type of language that we find was used towards Ms. Frost is totally unacceptable, whatever the frustrations about her style and whatever the habits of the weighing room. They fall squarely within the ambit of the prohibition set out in the rule.

“Secondly, in reviewing the evidence given and their approach by jockeys of repute as well as by the valets – who probably find themselves in a difficult position – we have real concern that what was referred to by Mr. Weston as the 'weighing room culture' is deep-rooted and coercive, and in itself is not conducive to the good health and the development of modern day race-riding.”

The Professional Jockeys' Association, of which both Frost and Dunne are members, released a statement shortly after Dunne's ban was handed down. Portions of that statement include:

“We do not believe Robbie Dunne has been subjected to a remotely fair process.”

and:

The PJA also issued a press release on behalf of an undisclosed number of anonymous female riders:

“Really disappointed with the way us and our male colleagues have all been portrayed by the BHA and subsequently reported in the media.

“It is sad that whilst one woman is being praised for speaking her truth, the rest of us have been shamed for doing the same. At no point have we condoned what is alleged to have happened – we just haven't been able to give any evidence to support it as we don't have any.”

Greg Wood wrote at The Guardian:

“Well before the verdict arrived in the British Horseracing Association's case alleging bullying and harassment of Bryony Frost by her fellow jockey Robbie Dunne, the battle lines were already being drawn for the aftermath.

“These clearly placed many – and conceivably the overwhelming majority – of Frost's weighing-room colleagues on one side, with the full support of retired champions including Richard Johnson, who gave evidence in Dunne's defense, and Tony McCoy. McCoy issued a tweet in support of weighing-room valets on Tuesday, shortly after it emerged that three valets who also gave evidence had refused to work for Frost at Fontwell that afternoon. His colleagues on ITV Racing, Alice Plunkett and (former jockey) Luke Harvey had already pre-judged the decision on the channel's Opening Show program by repeatedly insisting it had 'nothing to do with sexism.'

“The full extent of the fury – or perhaps, more accurately, the denial – within the weighing room became apparent only on Thursday, however, when the Professional Jockeys Association responded to the panel's finding that all charges against Dunne had been proved, and that a weighing-room culture of self-policing disputes 'is deep-rooted and coercive, and in itself not conducive to the good health and development of modern-day race-riding.' The PJA's statement was as willfully incendiary as it was sullenly defensive.

“The PJA's statement acknowledged only that Frost had 'felt bullied' by Dunne, not that she had been bullied, as the panel decided. Regardless of the possibility of an appeal, at best this showed an astonishing lack of awareness of how its choice of words would be perceived.”

Speaking after riding at winner at Newcastle on Thursday, jockey Alain Cawley told Sky Sports Racing:

“I think Robbie has been hard done by, (being) found guilty of everything he has.

“I've been in the weighing room a long time and I've never heard anyone say (anything) but how good it was in there (for all the) young people coming along.

“Going back when all the older boys were there, especially when I was starting – it helped me out.

“For me the weighing room is a great place to be. I haven't heard many people say that it wasn't.

“I feel sorry for Robbie. Hopefully it'll get looked into again – I don't think it's right.

“We're all adults, or the majority of us are adults. We've all had tussles and bustles about people – how many married people go home and swear at each other and have rows every night of the week.

“Swearing is part of life and it's a tough sport we're in. We risk our lives when we go out there.

“Foul language is used everywhere. I'm not saying it's right to use it in certain ways, but we're grown people – men and women in there. We're tough people to be out there in that game.

“It's a tough sport, but it's for everyone – whoever wants to come into the game, we're open to everyone coming into the game.”

“This is 40 years too late, this is what I had to suffer back in the day when I was riding and it has taken quite a few decades for a clearer vision of what lady jockeys go through.

“This is not just Bryony, a lot of lady jockeys kept schtum about a lot of things. I know one particular Flat jockey told me about her experiences, but she was too scared to say anything. At last they've heard Bryony and I'm delighted with the verdict.

“I think she can move on from this – look at her, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, going through all this she won the Tingle Creek and she won today, that's how she does the talking. She's carried on like a professional, but thank God she had the courage to speak up.”

BHA chief executive Julie Harrington told the Racing Post:

“We understand that for the vast majority of those who work in the weighing room, it's a positive, supportive and welcoming place, and we express our respect and admiration for the skills and courage of our participants.

“However in any environment there are going to be some people who don't feel comfortable and there are going to be times when lines are crossed.

“It's essential that when something does go wrong that people feel supported in calling it out and we call on everyone within the industry to recognize this.”

Graham Cunningham at sportinglife.com:

“Dunne must face up the prospect that his long career in the saddle could be over, while angry observers now have a bad guy to vilify and an entire sport to demonize as rooted in a past where women need to know their place.

“That's where we are in 2021. Complex issues are reduced to one crude hero/villain scenario before the content cannon sets its sights on another target.

“Frost has put it all on the line by refusing to put up with the sort of abuse that women trying to make their way in the workplace have been subjected to for decades. Time will tell how that works out for her. But there is only one victim here. And it ain't Robbie Dunne.

“Rid of the cloying need to pretend all is rosy, this case represents a vital river that needed crossing so racing can be genuinely proud that it pits men and women against each other in 'safe in the knowledge that the standards universal in other walks of life will apply.'

“History will reflect that the BHA's independent panel refused to tolerate Dunne's egregious bullying. Now it's time to see whether racing can tolerate a milestone change in its culture.”

The Sun's Dave Kidd wrote:

“Racing is a rare sport in which men and women compete against one another as equals – which ought to be a strong selling point.

“Yet an old-school, outdated, boys-will-be-boys culture still pervades it.

“Dare we suggest a touch of 'Small Man Syndrome' with too many of these little fellas intimidated by the presence of strong, successful women such as Frost?

“Dunne has now been suspended for 18 months and shamed as a confirmed bully.

“Even if some fellow jockeys continue to shun her, Frost's courage in speaking out is likely to be a significant force for a long-term culture change.

“For while Dunne represents racing's past, Frost is her sport's future.”

This will probably get ignored, particularly by the press, but anyone without a narrow mind should have a read… pic.twitter.com/dhAnL4cmTK

— Hayley Turner (@Hayleyturner123) December 9, 2021

Jump jockeys are renowned for their bravery. Bryony Frost just might be the bravest of the lot.

— David Johnson (@davidjohnsonTF) December 9, 2021

“Every time I saw him at the races he would say words that can't be said on the TV”@LeonnaMayor shares her own experiences of bullying after the treatment of Bryony Frost hit the headlines

Watch LIVE:
https://t.co/FI4VjrJa48
@ITV4 #ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/tbxysPpxSJ

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 3, 2021

“Every time I saw him at the races he would say words that can't be said on the TV”@LeonnaMayor shares her own experiences of bullying after the treatment of Bryony Frost hit the headlines

Watch LIVE:
https://t.co/FI4VjrJa48
@ITV4 #ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/tbxysPpxSJ

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 3, 2021

Is Jon Holmes for real!! “I believe she felt bullied” and “I haven't spoken to her, it's only 24 hours since and my phone has been red hot”. As an association to support jockeys, they should've been on the phone to Bryony Frost straight away and apologising to her. #BryonyFrost

— Laura Dowling (@lauradowling01) December 10, 2021

The post Racing Responds To Bullying Hearing Outcome: ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ Vs. A ‘Force For Change’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post