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Given Appointed To BHA Welfare Role

James Given will cease training at the end of the year to take up the role of Director of Equine Health and Welfare with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) from January.

Given qualified as a vet in 1990 and was assistant trainer to fellow vet Mark Johnston before starting training in his own right in 1998. Since then his stable has been represented by the G2 Flying Childers S. victrix Wunders Dream (Ire) and fellow group winners Dandino (GB), Trick Or Treat (GB), Summitville (GB), Jessica’s Dream (Ire), Lady Gloria (GB) and Indian Days (GB) as well as the classy stayer Hugs Dancer (GB).

Currently chair of the BHA’s Ethics Committee, he is also a member of the racing industry’s Horse Welfare Board and a trustee of the British Racing School.

Given, who will replace David Sykes in the role, said, “I am delighted to be joining the BHA and welcome the opportunity to strive for ever-improving welfare standards for racehorses. The current standards are world leading, but there is no time to rest on our laurels in a world demanding greater accountability. I look forward to working with colleagues across the industry, to show that racing is a compassionate sport that puts the welfare of horses at the centre of all we do. I know I am joining a team that shares and represents these ideals.”

He added, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a trainer and am eternally grateful to all the people who have helped me along this journey—to the owners, many who have become friends, and the outstanding people who have been part of my team, over many years of hard work. I am also grateful to all the horses, fast and slow, willing and less so, that it has been a privilege and a pleasure to look after.”

The BHA’s chief regulatory office Brant Dunshea commented, “We are extremely excited to welcome James to this role. He brings with him not only extensive clinical experience as a veterinarian, but also first-hand experience of training racehorses at the highest level. He has already been integral to the development of the industry’s welfare strategy through his involvement on the Horse Welfare Board, this will complement the equally important regulatory requirements of the role.

“We are delighted that James will be able to continue the excellent work of David Sykes who has made significant progress in his time at the BHA in modernising the equine health and welfare department and improving the quality of life of our horses. We are grateful to David for everything he has done on behalf of the sport.”

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Seven Horses Die In Lorry Fire

There was a tragic postscript to the Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale when a lorry carrying horses from Newmarket to Spain caught fire. Seven of the 10 horses on board lost their lives but no people were injured in the accident.

Dominick Mahony, the Spanish representative for Tattersalls, said on Friday morning, “It is very sad. The horses were on their way to Madrid racecourse and I believe one of the front tyres burst and the lorry caught fire. It was very windy and the wind fanned the flames which spread very quickly. They managed to get four of the horses off the lorry and three of them have survived but one has sadly had to be put down.”

He added, “I have spoken to all of the new owners of the horses involved and they are devastated. It is a dreadful ending to what had been a very good sale and there were 28 to 30 horses on their way to Spain and Portugal from Tattersalls.”

The accident is reported to have taken place in France and two of the horses on board were on their way to join the stable of Spanish champion trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta.

He said, “We bought two horses at the sale. Mexico City survived and sadly Wise Counsel did not. He was a lovely colt and it is just terribly sad.”

The Group 3-placed juvenile Mexico City (Fr) (No Nay Never) was bought from Ballydoyle, while 4-year-old Wise Counsel, a 96-rated treble winner for Clipper Logistics and Clive Cox was a horse with a strong connection to Spain as a half-brother to Noozhoh Canarias (Spa) (Caradak {Ire}). The latter was runner-up to Karakontie in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and was sixth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket when trained in Madrid by Enrique Leon. He now stands on the stallion roster at Yeguada Torreduero.

Among the Spanish buyers at the sale were trainer Oscar Anaya, who purchased seven horses, and agent Alex Mahony of EAM Bloodstock, who signed for six.

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Twelve Things You Should Know About the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic

The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic is the marquee race at a championship event and annually attracts many of the best racehorses in training. This year is no different, with a competitive field of older horses, 3-year-olds, and potentially a filly in Swiss Skydiver lining up in the Nov.

Using Breeders’ Cup Mile History to Build Profile of Winner, Evaluate 2020 Contenders

One-mile races on the grass are, in my opinion, the best races in the sport of Thoroughbred racing for betting and pure enjoyment. It is a distance and surface that draws sprinters stretching out, true milers, and more stamina-oriented racehorses cutting back in distance and often seeing a completely different race shape. These one-mile grass races are a true test of ability and class, and over the years the Breeders’ Cup Mile has often produced a winner almost as notable, if not more so, than the Classic victor.