Racecourse Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

Spectator Restrictions to Continue as UK Government Hits Pause on Reopening

After the UK Government announced that they would be taking a four-week pause on the country's progression out of COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, the UK Racing industry acknowledged the reasons for the delay, but expressed disappointment at the news. The COVID-19 roadmap out of lockdown had been due to switch to Stage 4 on June 21, but instead the current restrictions will continue, affecting major racing events like Coral-Eclipse Day at Sandown Park, and the Moet & Chandon July Festival at Newmarket.

Currently, the industry is working with the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) to secure a £21-million loan from the UK Government's winter survival fund, however, seeking additional support from the Sport Survival Package will now be considered. As it stands, most race meetings have a max of 4,000 spectators allowed, with Royal Ascot participating in the Events Research Programme (ERP), which allows 12,000 racegoers for the five-day stand.

Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said, “While it is disappointing that plans for the relaxation of restrictions and the further return of spectators have been delayed, we of course understand the principle that Government's decisions should be evidence-based and public health must come first.

“Many of our racegoers will be frustrated by this delay, but we are doing all we can to work with national and local authorities to maximise the number of people allowed to attend race-meetings in safety.”

The post Spectator Restrictions to Continue as UK Government Hits Pause on Reopening appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

British Racing Bodies Commit to Improving Diversity and Inclusion

Organisations across British racing have united to improve diversity and inclusion across the sport under a unified “Industry Commitment”. The Industry Commitment, which is part of British racing's COVID-19 Recovery Plan for British racing', aims to formalise the sport's approach to diversity and inclusion and builds on the extensive existing activity already taking place, including community engagement, education activity and charitable work. This is highlighted through the Racing Together platform which has already showcased over 80 initiatives.

Organisations that have signed on to the Industry Commitment are: the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Racecourse Association (RCA), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Association of Racing Staff (NARS) and Great British Racing (GBR). There are five areas that underpin the Industry Commitment and each organisations will former their individual Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans:

Leadership and Accountability–industry leaders ensuring and taking accountability for the creation of a more diverse and inclusive sport
Good Governance–ensuring a better understanding of the racing landscape to influence policy, practice and procedures
Education and Awareness Raising–giving everyone across racing access to learning about diversity and inclusion and why they're important to the sport
Celebrating Racing's Diversity–showcasing the diversity that exists across the racing industry in order to create an inclusive sport where difference is embraced, and everyone is valued
Engaging New Audiences–promoting racing as a sport for all and encouraging diverse communities to take part

Annamarie Phelps, Chair of British Horseracing Authority, said: “This is an important step forward for the sport. We have so much to celebrate in British racing, including men and women being able to compete on a level playing field. Equally, it is the responsibility of all of us in the sport to ensure we can showcase British racing as a modern sport which is truly diverse, inclusive and open to all. Being proactive about improving diversity is essential to the long-term viability of the sport, but first and foremost it is absolutely the right thing to do.”

For more information on the Industry Commitment, please visit www.media.britishhorseracing.com.

The post British Racing Bodies Commit to Improving Diversity and Inclusion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

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.”

The post Amateur Rider Lorna Brooke Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

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.”

The post UK Racing Welcomes Government Aid appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post