Tag Archive for: BHA

British Horseracing Authority reviewing Cheltenham starts in context of Aintree

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Acting chief executive Brant Dunshea says the British Horseracing Authority is considering what can be done to “mitigate the risk” of false starts at the Grand National meeting – while avoiding a “Charge of the Light Brigade” scenario – after the first three days of the Cheltenham Festival met with problems in that regard.

A series of races were preceded by unsatisfactory starts, with the Ultima Handicap Chase requiring three attempts to get under way on the first day of the meeting, while the Queen Mother Champion Chase had a standing start and leading fancy Maughreen notably lost all chance when whipping around as the tapes went up in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Dunshea admitted his disappointment, but said: “I think it’s important to emphasise our starters apply a consistent approach to the way they control the starts, and that is something we have had in operation now involving standing starts for some years.

“It’s a difficult environment for both starters and jockeys. It’s championship racing, you’ve got jockeys who are acutely aware of where they are at the start, you’ve got the starters who are required to hold their nerve and ensure that everyone’s getting a fair start and so you have a lot of things coming together in a very difficult environment.

“I can assure you of one thing, if our starters were just dropping the flag and letting them go, by the end of the week it would have been like the Charge of the Light Brigade and that’s what we absolutely cannot have.”

Speaking on a BHA briefing call, Dunshea acknowledged riders are not purposefully contravening the regulations and work will continue to try to prevent a similar occurrence at Aintree’s three-day fixture next month.

He added: “We are looking at what we could do differently leading up to Aintree to try to mitigate the risk of a similar set of problems and I’m still working on that with Shaun (Parker, head of stewarding) and the team and it may involve some further communications and engagement with the jockeys ahead of the meeting.

“I think it was a combination of things (at Cheltenham) and largely our jockeys do a wonderful job in terms of trying to balance that fine line between competition and complying with requirements of the procedures and regulations.”

The decision of owner Rich Ricci and trainer Willie Mullins to reroute Lossiemouth from the Champion Hurdle to the Mares’ Hurdle was another much-discussed topic throughout the week, with leading hopes Constitution Hill and State Man crashing out in the main event while the grey cruised to victory in what was seen as the easier contest against her own sex.

There have been calls for the mares-only events to be scrapped but Richard Wayman, the BHA’s director of racing, believes those races have been “key to success” in reinvigorating the number of mares in training and should be looked at in the “broader context” of a long-running strategy.

He did concede that “tweaks” could be made to the conditions of the races, adding: “For example, that could mean a horse that had won a Grade One in the previous year or so couldn’t run in the Mares’ Hurdle, that’s the sort of thing I’m sure the Jockey Club will be looking at when the dust settles and they look back at this year.”

Wayman also pointed to the relative lack of British runners in the Grade One novice and juvenile hurdles, saying: “I think fewer than 30 per cent of the runners in those races were British-trained and that whole supply chain issue is clearly not something that can be fixed easily but it’s something we think, as a sport, we have to address.

“We have a programme of work that will, over the years ahead, try to tackle that issue so we can support more breeders, owners and trainers in Britain in terms of that supply of quality, young jump horses coming into training and ending up at Cheltenham and other big jump meetings.”

With the Randox Grand National now less than three weeks away, the field is starting to take shape and much emphasis has been placed on horses who are likely to miss the cut despite posting strong staying performances over the year.

The situation has raised the idea of so-called ‘win-and-you’re-in’ races for the Aintree spectacular, with Wayman underlining that would be a decision for Aintree and its owner Jockey Club Racecourses.

He said: “Our view would be that it’s got merits, I think creating the link between what goes on during the season and the actual big day itself certainly has some benefits.

“There are negatives and I think that’s the reason why, when we’ve discussed it, it hasn’t been introduced. Obviously that win-and-you’re-in horse gets in potentially above a better, higher-rated horse and that’s a principle issue that some people might disagree with.

“The other issue is you could end up with a horse in the race that could be some way out of the weights and you raise the issue of if the horse is effectively outclassed despite winning the win-and-you’re-in race.

“Ultimately it’s their decision, there are pros and cons and it’s not been an avenue the Jockey Club and Aintree have decided to go down.”

BHA and Hannon moving on, as owner is removed from forfeit list

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The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed the removal of Prince Sultan Bin Mishal al Saud from the forfeit list after settling his dispute with Richard Hannon.

Prince Sultan had horses in training with Hannon, with A La Noche and Time To Hunt unsuccessfully representing the owner in 2023, although he had no runners last year.

He had amassed debts of £321,933.75 and as a result was disqualified from participating in British racing, but those fees have now been paid.

Hannon said: “I am extremely grateful to the BHA for the continued support they have shown to me, my yard and British racing as a whole in this matter. This has been a stressful period for us but we are all looking forward to enjoying our racing in 2025.”

Freezing weather leaves blank day of jumping in Britain and Ireland

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Racegoers were left without any National Hunt or afternoon action on Saturday after freezing temperatures claimed the meetings at Sandown and Wincanton.

A forecast of frost and even fog had given Sandown officials cause for concern on Friday, leaving clerk of the course Andrew Cooper to announce a precautionary 7.30am inspection.

With temperatures minus 2C since midnight and still minus 2C around inspection time and not expected to be above freezing until 11am, an early decision was able to made with the course frozen in places.

At Wincanton, an inspection was brought forward after temperatures fell to minus 4.2C overnight, leaving the Somerset track frozen in places and unraceable.

Newcastle’s jumps card had already been abandoned on Friday, leaving a blank day of National Hunt action in Britain, while a frozen track at Cork meant no jumping in Ireland, either.

The only two fixtures to survive the weather were on the all-weather at Southwell and Wolverhampton, with scheduled start times of 2.47pm and 4.20pm respectively.

A spokesperson for the British Horseracing Authority said it was “regrettable” the sport had been left without afternoon fare, adding: “The BHA has monitored the situation throughout the week, including communicating with colleagues at Sandown, Newcastle and Wincanton, and ultimately took the decision not to reschedule another meeting into the afternoon time slot. Unfortunately, the weather has gone against us on this occasion.

“The BHA understands the significance of ensuring that there is live racing on free-to-air television on Saturday afternoons and works hard to ensure this is the case, and will continue to do so in future. However, when circumstances remain challenging, and race times cannot be brought forward by Rule following the declaration stage, there is always some limitation on what can be done to remedy the situation.”

British racing linking up with Royal Veterinary College to improve welfare

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The British racing industry will join forces with the Royal Veterinary College to improve equine welfare via data gathered through the Racing Risk Models project.

The project is headed by the British Horseracing Authority and the Horse Welfare Board, together with independent academic researchers from the RVC, and is based on the findings of data spanning over 14 years.

With the aim of better understanding the risk factors that lead to long-term injuries and fatalities, the work began in 2018 and has reviewed each race in Britain to note horse details, racing history, trainer, jockey and racecourse information and the details of any adverse outcomes.

The potential risk factors identified were the horse, the race, the course, the trainer and the jockey, from which predictive models can help to identify how injury and fatality rates might be affected by those elements.

As part of the research, 400,000 National Hunt records have been analysed and in 2023 the project was expanded to include Flat racing data.

The findings from both codes will then be handed over to the Equine Safety Group, made up of experts from across British racing including owners, trainers, jockeys, racecourses, veterinary and safety advisors and internal data analysts.

The group will then make recommendations to the sport as to further research or analysis, consultation procedures or proposals for change.

Some of these changes are already afoot, including the replacing of all-birch hurdles for padded hurdles after the RVC’s modelling found the use of the latter would reduce the risk of horses falling by 11 per cent.

As a result the BHA will introduce padded hurdles to all tracks by October 2026, and they will be in place for both the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National meeting at Aintree in 2025.

Other areas of ongoing study informed by the research include reviewing horses who fall more than once in a given timeframe, a review of ‘tight’ tracks, the impact of field sizes, ground and going, race value, horse age, country of origin and a review of maiden and novice races.

James Given, director of equine regulation, safety and welfare at the BHA and a member of the Horse Welfare Board, said: “The Royal Veterinary College epidemiological team have academic expertise and independence that delivers scientifically rigorous evidence that enables recommendations and actions to be based on indisputable data.

“Reduction of risk and injury is one of the core pillars of our welfare strategy and informed evidence-based decision making is integral to this.”

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, added: “Evidence-based decisions are vital to ensure the right changes are made to improve welfare and safety in horse sport, so we welcome the long-term investment in the work on the RRM and the impact it will have in protecting horses and jockeys.

“No activity with horses can ever be risk-free, but racing poses specific risks and so it is right that British racing is using its own data to identify and reduce avoidable risks.”

Brant Dunshea to assume acting CEO duties at the British Horseracing Authority

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Brant Dunshea is poised to take up the role of acting CEO of the British Horseracing Authority from January next year.

Dunshea is currently the governing body’s chief regulatory officer and has been since 2018, prior to which he was director of integrity and regulatory operations from 2016 having joined the organisation in March 2015.

Dunshea held several senior racing-related roles in Australia before his relocation to Britain and will take to the helm of the BHA on an acting basis when Julie Harrington’s term as CEO ends on December 31.

Recruitment for the permanent successor to Harrington will continue with input from Lord Allen after his appointment as BHA chair last month.

BHA still backs Whip Review Committee over Cesarewitch ruling

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The British Horseracing Authority has come out in support of the Whip Review Committee in the aftermath of the Alphonse Le Grande Cesarewitch disqualification reversal by an independent panel.

The winning ride of Irish apprentice jockey Jamie Powell was referred by the stewards at Newmarket to the WRC the following Tuesday, who adjudged Powell to have used his whip 10 times, which led to his disqualification, with the race being awarded to Manxman, who finished a nose behind.

However, the independent panel took the view that the 10th use of the whip by Powell made insufficient contact with his mount to count as a strike. Therefore, as nine strikes does not mean disqualification, Alphonse Le Grande was reinstated.

The BHA will now consider if there is any case for an amendment of the rules.

A spokesperson said: “Having received the Panel’s written reasons following last week’s appeal hearing, the BHA remains disappointed by this outcome and firmly of the opinion that the Whip Review Committee’s original ruling was correct.

“In reviewing more than 1,200 referrals since the introduction of the rules, and more than 1,500 including the bedding-in period, the highly skilled and experienced individuals who sit on the Whip Review Committee have demonstrated tremendous consistency in their rulings. This has provided a clarity for jockeys that has aided in bringing the rate of offending down since the rules were implemented.

“The BHA will now consider what, if any, implications there are for the Rules as presently constituted as a result of this decision.”

Callum Shepherd appeals 18-day riding suspension

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The Professional Jockeys Association has lodged an appeal on behalf of Callum Shepherd regarding the jockey’s controversial 18-day suspension.

Shepherd was found to have failed “to take all reasonable and permissible measures on a horse which would have finished outright first” after dead-heating on board Thorntonledale Max at Kempton last week.

Riding the David Simcock-trained runner in a seven-furlong handicap, Shepherd burst through on the far rail and looked set for victory after forging ahead inside the final furlong.

However, Flavour Maker and Ray Dawson kept on gamely to grab a share of the spoils on the line. Shepherd questioned the judge’s decision to call a dead-heat, stating he felt the photo-finish print showed a gap between his mount and Flavour Maker, a suggestion which was subsequently dismissed by the British Horseracing Authority.

Even so, the jockey was still angered by claims that he had not ridden out Thorntonledale Max to the best of his ability.

He told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast at the time: “I just refute the allegation that I gave the horse anything but the best chance to win the race.

“Regardless of the photo, I’m pretty upset by that. It’s just insulting to riders to be accused of that and I will be taking action.”

Shepherd is currently set to be out of action from September 4-21 inclusive, a period which encompasses the St Leger meeting at Doncaster and the Ayr Gold Cup fixture.

A spokesperson for the BHA confirmed the appeal is against the ruling of Shepherd not riding his mount out for the best possible finish.

Ed Dunlop thankful for support and planning changes in wake of BHA ruling

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Ed Dunlop hopes the rules can be reviewed after the British Horseracing Authority disqualified him for 12 months – the entirety of which is suspended – after a metabolite of cocaine was found in a sample taken from one of his horses.

The hearing concerned a filly named Lucidity, who finished second in a Brighton handicap in 2023 and was later found to have the substance in her system following a post-race test.

The source of the substance is unknown and the BHA did not suggest any wrongdoing on the part of Dunlop, who has trained in Britain for 30 years and has never previously returned a positive test result with any of his horses in this jurisdiction.

Rory Mac Neice, representing Dunlop, argued for a lower penalty, but the independent disciplinary panel countered that the rules state a positive test for a Category A substance, such as cocaine, must necessarily result in a disqualification.

Dunlop’s one-year disqualification is suspended, meaning he is able to continue training as usual and would only be interrupted if he were to be found in breach again within a 12-month period. In addition Lucidity was also disqualified from the Brighton race and the trainer was fined £1,000.

“It’s been hanging over our heads for over a year and it’s taken the BHA an awful long time to come to a conclusion, this was the second enquiry concerning it,” Dunlop said.

“As it was a Category A drug there is very little room for manoeuvre so it has been agreed that it will be a one-year suspended disqualification, plus the fine.

“That is the outcome, and though no one has any notion of where the substance came from I am ultimately responsible for what happens to the horse.

“It’s difficult, it’s difficult on me and on my owners, who’ve been very supportive. People generally only read the headlines and that’s natural, that’s the world we live in.

“Personally I do feel the rule needs looking at, I had no room for manoeuvre because of the class of the drug and it’s been difficult, but we will carry on and put it behind us.

“It will certainly make us think more, we are going to introduce random drug testing amongst my staff, which more trainers are doing and other industries do too. It will change how we operate our business.”

PJA welcomes new rest-period initiatives in fixture list

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The Professional Jockeys Association has welcomed the greater focus on breaks for jockeys throughout the year after the 2025 fixture list was released.

Amongst the programme is a more immediate post-season rest period for Flat jockeys, with the end-of-November break moved forward to kick in after the November Handicap at Doncaster earlier in the month.

That then creates an eight-day gap with no Flat racing, after which there will be three further days with rider restricted meetings to expand the break to 11 days for those who are not eligible to take part in such events.

The criteria for rider restricted races is that the jockeys involved must not have ridden more than 30 winners in British races during the previous year, and there will also be a five-day stretch of meetings for such riders in February to give more experienced jockeys a break and create opportunities for up-and-coming pilots.

Retaining the extended National Hunt break which came in this year is regarded as another plus, along with a slight reduction in evening fixtures, although the PJA believes that there should be further reductions in future years.

Dale Gibson, racing director for the PJA, said: “The shape of the fixture list dictates the working lives of all participants, impacting their partners and families.

“The relentless schedule, featuring multiple and repetitive evening fixtures followed by early morning work riding, takes its toll.

“We welcome the key improvements, including the extended National Hunt summer break, the moving of the Flat jockeys break and use of rider restricted races to extend that break and add a shorter break during February half-term, alongside other programming elements that must continue to evolve.”

However, Gibson issued a warning with regards to the long-term health of the industry, as the overall number of meetings was reduced only marginally.

He added: “That being said, continuing to produce a fixture list where little changes from one year to the next is unsustainable and hardly likely to reverse the sport’s fortunes.”

Premier Racedays to receive prize money boost in 2025

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Flat jockeys will be afforded an earlier post-season break and Premier Racing fixtures will be subject to an increase in minimum prize money in the 2025 fixture list.

The British Horseracing Authority is in the midst of a two-year trial into a raft of measures designed to improve the competitiveness and commercial success of the sport.

As the trial is ongoing, there were no dramatic changes to the programme, with volume of racing remaining largely static, though eight fixtures will not be held, as the racecourses have chosen to absorb those races into other existing cards.

The Premier Racedays approach is unchanged, except for the prize money criteria, which has risen by 10 per cent and means that Flat racedays will generally have to supply £275,000 in total prize money, with no race run for less than £22,000, and Jumps fixtures will have to offer £220,000 for the whole card, with no race run for less than £16,500.

The volume of Sunday racing has increased significantly since 2023 and in 2025 this will be strengthened again, but there is no movement in the earlier decision to discontinue a trial into Sunday evening racing.

The BHA have also set out to provide a more immediate post-season rest period for Flat jockeys, with the end of November break moved forward to kick in after the November Handicap at Doncaster earlier in the month.

That then creates an eight-day gap with no Flat racing, after which there will be three further days with rider restricted meetings to expand the break to 11 days for those who are not eligible to take part in such events.

The criteria for rider restricted races is that the jockeys involved must not have ridden more than 30 winners in British races during the previous year, and there will also be a five-day stretch of meetings for such riders in February to give more experienced jockeys a break and create opportunities for up-and-coming pilots.

Speaking on the 2025 fixture list, the BHA’s director of racing, Richard Wayman, said: “The 2025 fixture list continues the two-year trial started in January this year, designed to enhance the quality and competitiveness of our racing, increase customer engagement and improve the financial returns to those who own, train and run their horses here in Britain.

“We are just seven months into the trial, and it was at an even earlier stage when the principles of the fixture list were agreed. As such, there were no plans to fundamentally alter anything for 2025, given how short a period this has been in terms of accurately assessing the performance of the changes.

“The volume of fixtures and races remains largely consistent with last year, but the race programme will fluctuate as more agile planning allows us to better tailor supply to the needs of the horse population – ensuring sufficient opportunities for connections to run their horses.

“We have also published the fixture list much sooner this year, which will support earlier production of the Programme Book. We hope this will help field sizes in early 2025 by giving connections more time to plan their campaigns.

“Having increased the minimum prize money criteria for Premier Racedays, we did expect to see a contraction in the overall number, but while some meetings have returned to core status, others have met the new thresholds. Hopefully this extra prize money will be welcome news, as will the strengthened offering on a Sunday.

“The Commercial Committee did discuss whether the number of Premier Racedays should be restricted by other means. However, there was a strong consensus that the two-year trial should be allowed to play out before significant changes are introduced.

“We also wanted to take further steps to support the wellbeing of our busiest Flat jockeys. This includes moving the November Flat break to start immediately following the end of the turf season, so that jockeys and others can take a much-needed break before returning for the all-weather season.

“We are acutely aware of the impact of the demands that the fixture list places on the many involved in servicing it and know that more progress is necessary in this area in the future.”

Julie Harrington to step down from role as BHA chief executive

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Julie Harrington is to step down from her role as chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority after four years in the role.

To facilitate a smooth changeover, Harrington has agreed to stay in the position until the end of the year, although she said she had made the decision to leave her post “some time ago”.

The BHA is already looking for a replacement for outgoing chair, Joe Saumarez Smith, who will step down in May 2025.

Harrington said: “With so much now in place to develop and grow the Industry Strategy, which will secure a brighter future for British horseracing, it felt like the right time to move on and let someone else steer the sport through its next exciting phase.

“It has been a huge privilege to lead the BHA during what has been a period of real change as the sport has developed and implemented shared strategies for a sustainable future, and an ability to speak with one united voice.

“I love working in horseracing, it is an amazing sport to be involved in. I will always be a fan and you can expect to see me at the races in the years ahead. I am proud of the progress the industry has made over the past three years, especially in improving the governance structure, and I hope that racing’s stakeholders will continue to work together cooperatively to attract new audiences, further improve the customer experience and grow the sport.

“I am confident that if the sport continues to foster the sense of unity and shared purpose that we have developed over the past few years then great things can be achieved.

“My future plans are likely to include a move to a varied non-executive career. Although I took the decision to stand down some time ago, I have agreed to stay on until the end of year to allow a smooth transition to a new CEO.

“The BHA board is already engaged in the search for Joe’s successor as chair and informing the board of my intentions now gives the nominations committee the opportunity to plan an orderly handover, consider the complementary skills of candidates and allow the new Chair to be part of the final stages of CEO recruitment.

“British Horseracing is one of the cornerstones of our sporting and cultural heritage. I will be forever thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it, both during my tenures at Northern Racing, on the BHA board and most recently as CEO of the BHA. I wish it every success in the years to come.”

Sunday evening plans on hold following initial pilot

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Sunday evening racing will not be implemented by the British Horseracing Authority after a trial period failed to meet expectations.

Six all-weather meetings took place between January and March and before they began, targets were set regarding turnover that would need to be met for the venture to be deemed worthwhile.

However, as well as being unpopular with many jockeys, staff and trainers, the meetings also failed to generate sufficient betting interest, with bookmakers reporting a three per cent drop in turnover compared to midweek floodlit fixtures.

That is despite the fact each meeting carried at least £145,000 in prize-money, yielding an average field size of over 10 runners.

Having considered feedback and recommendations, the BHA board opted not to schedule any more pilot fixtures, although it said “making a decision on a small sample presented challenges and therefore the industry should work to develop a proposal for a further trial, should future circumstances permit”.

BHA chair, Joe Saumarez Smith, said: “Although we have learnt some valuable lessons from the short trial, having considered the evidence, feedback and the recommendation from the commercial committee, the board has agreed that no further Sunday evening fixtures should be programmed at this stage.

“However, while the pilot did not deliver what we had hoped, there was a recognition of the challenges presented by making a decision based on such a small sample, especially when the data varied so significantly across the fixtures. It’s also the case that new concepts, which include behaviour change from the betting public, are likely to take time to settle in.

“The board concluded that the concept of Sunday evening racing is not something that should be dismissed and that it would like a further and longer trial to take place, where circumstances permit, to gather additional data.”

British racing launches platform to tackle welfare issues

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British racing has launched a new campaign designed to promote and share the facts around welfare in racing.

HorsePWR will have its own dedicated website (www.horsepwr.co.uk) to provide information about the sport and the thoroughbred, the lives they lead and the high welfare and safety standards within racing.

The website explores the areas that racing has committed to improve, such as the lives after racing horses go on to have, reducing risk on and off course and facts surrounding the whip.

Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell said of the new campaign: “This is just what racing needs. We must provide the facts, help educate, and confront the tough questions head on.

“The facts matter. We understand our responsibility and respect our horses, and we want to make sure the public know this too.

“It’s good to see us taking a new approach, showing pride in the lives we give our horses, and challenging and correcting inaccurate information which is put into the public domain by those who are opposed to the sport.”

Robin Mounsey, BHA head of communications and member of the sport’s Horse Welfare Board, said: “The HorsePWR campaign sees the sport take a new approach when it comes to talking about welfare.

“It is about being up-front, open, and transparent. It is about tackling head-on the elements of the sport that we know are areas of concern and providing information to educate and reassure.

“Those who work in the sport are rightly proud of our record and standards when it comes to welfare. This campaign provides a platform to allow those connected with the sport to share their pride.

“It will be aimed at racing’s current and potential fans, seeking to ensure that future generations of racing followers are not lost to the sport due to negative perceptions around the welfare issues which are tackled by this campaign.

“HorsePWR has received significant support from across the racing industry, and we are especially grateful to the Jockey Club for providing additional funding to support the initial stage of the campaign.”

O’Neill back in action but left ‘fuming’ over controversial test

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A furious Kieran O’Neill was given the all-clear to resume riding on Wednesday, having been prevented from taking his rides at Southwell on Tuesday in an incident which has put the British Horseracing Authority’s trial of saliva and sweat testing in the spotlight.

O’Neill had three mounts booked at the Nottinghamshire track’s evening meeting, but was unable to take part after being stood down by the BHA following a failed saliva test.

And while a subsequent urine test returned a negative result, O’Neill – who swiftly took to social media to speak of his anger, saying he was “fuming” – was not permitted to ride before passing another test ahead of racing at Kempton and feels his reputation has been unfairly tarnished.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “I was the one to comment, to put my tweet out that I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide. I wanted to be the one when I got home to write a tweet and let everyone know. I have nothing to hide, I have not done anything wrong here and something needs to be done very quickly.

“It is very embarrassing for me to have to leave the racecourse yesterday and everyone is there looking at you. The first person I bumped into was Scott Dixon and I have to go and explain myself why I can’t ride for him.

“I was so embarrassed speaking to my partner on the phone last night, speaking to my mum, this has now happened and even when I’m cleared from this urine sample and things are back to normal, my name is still out there, I have failed this swab test twice yesterday.

“It’s something that for a young kid coming into the game of 17 or 18, he could fail a swab test and his career is over straight away before it starts.

“My urine test will come back clear, I have no doubts about that in my mind. I rarely drink, never mind take drugs. Everyone who knows me and knows my character knows I’m the first person to be anti-drugs.

“I really cannot see how this has happened. Is there something wrong with the salivas again? For me yes, because I have done nothing wrong, I have never taken a drug in my life and I am clear.”

A saliva test pilot was paused by the BHA in September 2022 after Sean Levey returned a false positive that saw him sidelined for eight days and miss out on a potential £20,000 bonus as leading rider during the Racing League.

O’Neill added: “Sean said if this doesn’t go then someone else is going to get done, but never in a million years did I think it would be me. Sean Levey got it right, it’s come back and it’s me. Have the BHA got it wrong again? I don’t know.

“But I agree with Sean Levey and for me something has gone amiss. I have no problem doing any test, they can take hair, another urine from me, that is no problem. I have been tested in France and probably 20 times last year and nothing has ever been found, but now all of a sudden since the swab tests have come back, something was found.”

Posting an update on X, he said: “Just been to Kempton to have another swab test after last night’s embarrassment. Given the all-clear as expected. Thankfully the current testing system has now been paused until they get to the bottom of this.”

Professional Jockeys Association chief executive Paul Struthers said the body was “unaware” a new trial had been introduced until Tuesday evening and immediately requested the procedure be put on hold pending further investigation.

He said: “We have been discussing with the BHA a pilot of trialling a new saliva and sweat testing kit since January, following the two previous trials of different testing kits. However, no dates for the pilot had been agreed and we were told what the protocol would be in the event of a non-negative test, which is very different to agreeing it.

“Issues that arose during the previous two pilot schemes meant that the PJA and its members had legitimate concerns about the testing kits and the process.

“At our last meeting with the BHA on February 23, we stressed these concerns and explained how important communications would be in advance of any pilot. What was agreed at that meeting was that the BHA would draft some initial communications materials which would be shared with the PJA for further comment.

“This never happened and we were therefore unaware until last night that the pilot had even commenced.

“Following events of last night, this morning we wrote to the BHA requesting an immediate suspension of the pilot scheme. The BHA has subsequently confirmed that no further testing with the swab and saliva kits will take place until the situation with Kieran O’Neill has been resolved and understood.

“This is a sensible decision in the best interests of fair regulation, a decision we obviously support and welcome. The rest of the testing regime will continue as normal.”

The BHA insists the procedure is sound, with rider safety “a priority” for racing’s regulator, and that the process for handling non-negative samples had been agreed with the PJA.

A statement said: “The process for handling non-negative samples on raceday as part of the ongoing pilot of sweat/saliva sampling was agreed between the BHA and PJA.

“As part of the agreed process, which utilises a Home Office-approved testing kit used by police forces globally, should a rider return a non-negative sample then they will be tested a second time.

“Should the second sample also return non-negative then, in the interests of safety for horses and riders, the jockey should be stood down for the day.

“Mr O’Neill was stood down on the day having provided two non-negative samples. Sixteen jockeys were tested yesterday and 16 on Monday with only Mr O’Neill returning these two non-negative samples.

“As part of the process a urine sample screening is also be taken on the day. This is for indicative processes only as part of the trial. It operates to different thresholds, and does not form part of the immediate regulatory process. Mr O’Neill’s urine sample returned a negative result on-course but is not relevant to his being able to ride today and beyond.

“This same urine sample is also sent away for analysis at the official testing laboratory. Mr O’Neill will be permitted to ride today and beyond, pending the return of this urine result, provided he returns a negative sweat/saliva sample prior to weighing out. A hair sample will also be taken.

“Ensuring the safety of jockeys competing in our sport is a priority for the BHA. We appreciate the strength of feeling from Mr O’Neill but this alone is not enough to make judgement about the testing process, or its ability to detect the intentional or sometimes inadvertent presence of substances in a rider’s system. The proper process must be allowed to take its course.”

Confirming a temporary pause on the testing, the BHA said: “The pilot of saliva/sweat testing is scheduled to continue and further dates will be programmed in due course. However, there will be no pilot testing dates between now and the point at which we expect to receive the analysis of Mr O’Neill’s urine sample.”

MPs urge affordability check rethink in Westminster Hall debate

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A number of MPs called for ministers to reconsider affordability checks during a debate at Westminster Hall on Monday.

It was the first chance for MPs to properly interrogate proposals of the implementation of the supposedly “frictionless” checks after 100,000 people signed an e-petition to trigger the debate.

Matt Hancock, who has Newmarket within his constituency, Connor McGinn, whose St Helens North constituency includes Haydock, and Philip Davies were among MPs to lay out arguments against the checks.

Gambling minister Stuart Andrew said both the government and Gambling Commission had listened to the points, although the proposals will proceed, with a pilot of enhanced checks running for “a minimum of four months, during which time the commission will consider all issues that arise”.

Andrew also underlined the concerns about the possible impact of the checks on racing are being taken “extremely seriously”.

He said: “I am clear that we must ensure that the checks do not adversely affect racing or those who work in the sector, or interrupt the customer journey.

“They also must not push away high-net-worth individuals such as owners and trainers that invest in the sport.

“The Gambling Commission has worked very closely with operators to explore the practical aspects of implementing the checks, and colleagues have said that they have seen an improved relationship between the commission and the industry. The commission has also been carefully considering responses to the consultation, which have helped to shape the implementation plans.

“We want to protect those at risk – I make no apology for our doing that – with minimal disruption to the majority, who I recognise bet on horseracing with no ill effect.”

Shadow gambling minister Stephanie Peacock called for the government to outline how it could ensure checks are “accurate, frictionless and non-intrusive for consumers”.

“I think there is a consensus over the need to update our regulation so that vulnerable people are better protected from gambling harms in the modern age,” she said.

“But at the same time it is the punters, racing and the gambling industry that deserves some clarity on how the government will ensure affordability checks are carried out with accuracy and in a way that does not cause unnecessary friction for those gambling responsibly.”