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New COVID Protocols Begin Dec. 15

In accordance with the updated UK Government protocols for sports venues, the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) issued an outline of protocols that enter effect Wednesday, Dec. 15.

“Racing must continue to do all we can to protect the health and livelihoods of our people and maintain business continuity,” said Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA's Chief Medical Adviser. “These measures are considered essential to support this objective at a time where cases of the Omicron variant of the virus are increasing exponentially and other sports are facing COVID-related fixture cancellations.

All attendees at fixtures in England where attendance is likely to exceed 4,000 will require evidence of COVID status certification. This will apply to individuals 18 or over. To enter the racecourse, individuals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have completed a negative lateral flow or PCR test a maximum 48 hours out, unless medically exempt. Any individuals entering weighing rooms will be subject to the same conditions. Face masks will also be required in all outdoor settings, as well as indoor settings unless food or drink is being consumed.

For more information on the BHA's procedures (updated periodically), click here.

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British Racing Unites to Highlight Industry Conduct

Several stakeholder bodies of British horseracing have assumed a united front in regard to the conduct of those who work in the sport, while committing to take wide-ranging action to offer support and education to the industry.

In an excerpt from a joint statement issued Tuesday by 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):

“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…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.”

All groups will take part in a working party which will report to the industry People Board and will assist in promoting the positive elements of conduct within the industry, education, deterring poor behaviour and discrimination while empowering people to call out conduct which falls short. The group will be chaired by the BHA and include representatives from the BHA, NTF, NARS, PJA, RCA, ROA and TBA.

The working party and resultant action lead the effort to introduce a new industry Code of Conduct, which will introduced in Spring 2022. The Code of Conduct has been developed by the signatories, who are also signatories of British racing's Diversity and Inclusion industry commitment. Among the working party's chief objectives is to ensure that the new Code of Conduct is properly communicated in addition to the introduction of the sport's new Safeguarding policy and regulations, which are also close to being finalized.

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A’Ali To Stand At Newsells Park Stud

Multiple group-winning sprinter A'Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) will begin his stud career at Newsells Park Stud in 2022, rather than Meadow Farm Stud as originally announced, after Newsells purchased a significant stake in the 4-year-old.

Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford for Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa, A'Ali broke his maiden at second asking in the G2 Norfolk S. in 2019 and added the G2 Prix Robert Papin and G2 Flying Childers S. before season's end. He took the G3 Coral Charge S. and G2 Sapphire S. last summer before finishing fourth in the G1 Nunthorpe S., and on his only run in 2021 was third in the G2 Meydan Sprint in February.

Newsells Park Stud General Manager Julian Dollar said that the stud moved to purchase an interest in A'Ali after he and Newsells racing and nominations manager Gary Coffey saw the horse at the National Stud during the December Sales.

“When Gary and I saw A'Ali at the National Stud, we both commented on what an absolute belter of a horse he was,” Dollar said. “He really fulfils a niche for speed and precocity, which the commercial breeder is looking for. He's absolutely gorgeous to look at, with a wonderful walk and a beautiful temperament. He'll be very easy for breeders to use and should throw a lovely model, if they look anything like him. Newsells Park Stud have purchased a significant percentage of A'Ali, who was already owned by a passionate group of shareholders, including his original owner Shaikh Duaij, all keen to give him great support, so we're excited about this new partnership.

“What also works for us is that A'Ali really fills a void left by the sale of Equiano last year and helps to balance our boutique stallion roster of Nathaniel and Without Parole. We now stand one of Europe's most proven and successful middle distance sires in Nathaniel, together with one of Frankel's fastest sons at stud in Without Parole. Together with a 'lightning fast' 2-year-old in A'Ali, they offer breeders the full spectrum of class, stamina, speed and precocity and we welcome breeders through our doors to come and see them.”

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Middle East Campaign For Pyledriver

In the wake of Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire})'s second-place finish in Sunday's G1 Hong Kong Vase, co-trainer William Muir has said that the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic is on the soon-to-be 5-year-old's agenda, with a stop at the Saudi Cup meeting along the way a possibility.

“Everything's on the table,” Muir said. “He's definitely going to have a winter campaign and it's going to end up at the Sheema Classic before he comes home to have a little bit of a break. Let's keep our fingers crossed, we all know sport is a cruel thing at times but he loved it [on Sunday]. He's taken it in his stride.

“If it does happen to be the Saudi Cup [next] that will give him a couple of months. He's got plenty of time to freshen up for it so he should be spot on, then the Sheema Classic would be the big target after that. He'll come back and have a little break before we get him ready for the King George or the Juddmonte, one of those two, before the Arc.”

Pyledriver was beaten only by the defending winner Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who also won the race two years ago, in the Vase.

“My initial thought when they turned for home was that the French filly [Ebaiyra, third] was travelling very strongly, and then I saw her come off the bridle,” said Muir. “We were in a very difficult spot to see clearly what was happening. Obviously we were in their country with Covid [restrictions] and we were given areas that we were allowed in. I didn't see the other horse coming down the outside and inside the final furlong I thought 'we've done it!' Then the horse came over the top and your first thought is 'ah sugar, we just got beat!' But then you're so, so proud.”

Raced by the La Pyle partnership, Pyledriver won the G1 Coronation Cup in June but was forced to miss the rest of the summer with a setback. He returned a winner in Lingfield's Listed Churchill S. on Nov. 13 prior to his Hong Kong sojourn.

“We were absolutely delighted and very proud, we have been from the day at Salisbury [his debut] because he never, ever lets you down,” Muir said.

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