Tag Archive for: British Horseracing Authority

World Horse Welfare ‘deeply saddened’ by death of Celebre d’Allen

/in /by

Officials at World Horse Welfare hope lessons can be learned from the death of Celebre d’Allen in this year’s Grand National.

The 13-year-old, trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White and sent off as a 125-1 outsider, jumped the final fence but was then pulled up by jockey Micheal Nolan and collapsed on the racecourse.

He received treatment at Aintree and initially showed signs of making a recovery following a night in the track’s stables, but then deteriorated significantly and could not be saved.

Roly Owers, chief executive of WHW, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the death of Celebre d’Allen after last Saturday’s Grand National and our heart goes out to all those who cared for him.

“We know that the British Horseracing Authority is thoroughly investigating, which is absolutely the right approach. Every effort must be made to learn lessons from this very sad outcome.”

Addressing the horse’s veteran status, the BHA reported that there had been 24 Grand National runners aged 13 or over since 2000, with no fatalities up until 2024, while from 2014 to 2024 there were 30 runners aged 12 or above and no fatalities.

Acting BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea insisted that Celebre d’Allen, as with all entries, was provided with “a thorough check by vets at the racecourse” to ensure his “suitability to race in the National”.

He said: “The BHA and Aintree racecourse will analyse the race and this incident in detail, as is the case every year and with every fatal injury in any race. This will include the horse being sent for post-mortem.

“The process of reviewing every fatality allows us to build on our existing data and help us understand how all reasonable avoidable risk can be reduced in order to keep our horses and riders as safe as possible.

“This process previously led to the changes that were made to the Grand National in 2024, including the reduction in the number of runners. Prior to Saturday’s race there had been no fatal injuries in the previous nine races run over the Grand National course since the 2023 National.

“The steps we have taken to improve safety over the years reflects the great respect we have for our horses, and our commitment to their safety.”

Celebre d’Allen became the second horse to die after racing at the 2025 Grand National Festival, with the Willie Mullins-trained Willy De Houelle suffering a fatal fall in Thursday’s 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.

The RSPCA posted on X: “We share in the shock and sadness at the death of Celebre d’Allen. Following the death of Willy De Houelle on the opening day, we have now seen two fatalities at this year’s Grand National festival.

“We await the British Horseracing Authority’s investigation into these deaths.”

The raceday stewards suspended Nolan for 10 days (April 19-26 and May 3 and 5) after an inquiry was held to consider whether he “had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence”.

Neil Callan receives suspended ban for social media breaches

/in /by

Neil Callan has been given an eight-month ban following remarks made on social media, but will be able to continue riding as that sentence is suspended for two years.

Callan was charged with three offences and breaches of the rules of racing.

The first under rule J19a being that on December 15, 2023 he sent out a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, in relation to BHA steward Anthony McGlone that was abusive, insulting and did not treat him with respect.

The second charge came as a result of conduct on December 9, 2023 when Callan posted in relation to the BHA that was not a responsible use of social media and did not show adequate respect to the officials.

The third allegation was in breach of rule J19 and related to conduct between August 16, 2023 and January 14, 2024 when he posted, reposted and commented on social media in a manner that was offensive, abusive and inappropriate, such that it was prejudicial to the proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing in Great Britain.

Following a closed plea agreement, independent judicial panel chair Tim Grey said: “The agreement that was reached was that the sanction that will be imposed on Mr Callan for those breaches will be a sanction of an eight-month suspension of Mr Callan’s licence and that suspension itself will be suspended for a period of 24 months, concurrent on each of those counts.

“In addition, there will be a financial penalty that will be immediately payable in the sum of £1,500. The suspension will have an effect of acting as a deterrent.

“It’s also right to say that if Mr Callan were to commit any further breaches of the rules of racing, save for standalone riding and riding-related offences dealt with by raceday stewards or the whip review committee, or (attend) a judicial panel hearing on whip, running or riding or related offences of interference referral, in the next two years, it would then be open to any future judicial panel to activate the suspension in addition to any new penalty.”

HorsePWR for London buses in renewed welfare campaign

/in /by

Buses in Bristol, London and Liverpool will feature new advertising for the HorsePWR campaign as the sport seeks to spread the welfare message to the wider public.

The industry-led initiative was first launched last April by the British Horseracing Authority and Great British Racing, with the aim to increase public engagement with racing and reinforce confidence in the welfare standards.

In what is said to represent “British racing’s most significant public-facing welfare-themed promotional campaign to date”, a campaign will run until April 6 – a period that includes the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree’s Grand National meeting – featuring targeted advertising across print, online, and social media platforms plus adverts at “iconic locations” in four cities, with Birmingham joining the three previously mentioned venues.

London's Old Street Showcase with HorsePWR billboard
London’s Old Street Showcase with HorsePWR billboard (BHA)

Robin Mounsey, head of communications at the BHA, said: “This campaign marks a significant moment for British racing. For the first time in recent memory, the sport is making a major investment in promoting its welfare message directly to the wider public.

“It is a demonstration of our confidence in the high standards of welfare within British racing and our commitment to ensuring that the public is better informed about them.”

Gabi Whitfield, head of welfare communications at GBR, added: “Equine welfare is both a topic of general interest and a barrier to engagement for sections of the public. We want to make sure that British racing provides the facts in a clear, credible, and visually engaging way.

“HorsePWR is about driving trust, combatting misinformation, and showing racing’s commitment to the well-being of the Thoroughbred from birth through to retirement.”

Former BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith dies aged 53

/in /by

The British Horseracing Authority has announced the death of its former chair Joe Saumarez Smith.

Saumarez Smith, who was diagnosed with cancer in June 2023, stood down from his role with the sport’s governing body at the end of January due to his deteriorating health.

In a statement, the BHA said: “It is with great sadness that the British Horseracing Authority can today confirm the death of our former chair and friend Joe Saumarez Smith.

“Joe, who was 53, died at home today surrounded by his family. Our thoughts and prayers – and we are sure those of everyone involved in our sport – are with Joe’s family and friends.

“He will be hugely missed by us all.”

The statement continued: “His wife Wanda and their children have asked us to pass on their deep thanks for all the messages of support they have received since Joe was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2023 and especially since he stepped down as BHA chair on January 30 when his health worsened.

“They have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.

“Throughout a long and distinguished career in racing Joe was a passionate and dedicated supporter of the sport, combining that drive with great diplomatic skills to promote racing at home and abroad.”

Senior independent director David Jones assumed the role of interim chair after Saumarez Smith stepped down last month, with Lord Charles Allen assuming the role on June 1.

Jones described Saumarez Smith as “not just a personal friend to many of us but a great friend of racing”, adding: “Joe’s enthusiasm for the sport shone through in everything he did. He had such a deep knowledge of all aspects of the industry and I and other board colleagues will really miss his insight.”

The BHA’s acting chief executive, Brant Dunshea, added: “It has been a great privilege to have known and worked with Joe, always providing wise counsel and tremendous support to the BHA team and to me personally, and for that we will be forever grateful.

“His commitment to advocating Britain’s interests on the global stage was unwavering, and for that British racing owes him a huge debt of gratitude. We will miss him terribly.”

Baroness Dido Harding, senior steward of the Jockey Club, was among many to pay tribute to Saumarez Smith’s contribution to racing.

She said: “All of us at the Jockey Club are extremely saddened to learn of Joe Saumarez Smith’s death and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at the British Horseracing Authority.

“Joe made a huge contribution to racing, not only as chair of the BHA but as a fan and powerful advocate over many, many years. Such was his commitment and dedication to the sport that he clearly loved so much, he was chairing meetings, attending events and looking for solutions that brought the sport together throughout his illness.

“Racing owes so much to Joe. We have all benefited hugely from his breadth of knowledge, experience and leadership, while many of us can also consider ourselves fortunate to have enjoyed his company on so many occasions. We and the wider racing family will miss him greatly.”

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland added: “It was an honour to have worked with and known Joe through his role as chair of the British Horseracing Authority and his involvement with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

“Joe’s enthusiasm for the sport was there for all to see and he will be remembered as someone who had a great desire to develop racing through international cooperation.

“On a more personal level, I found Joe to be most generous with his time, kind-spirited and the best of company. I want to offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith stepping down with immediate effect due to ill health

/in /by

Joe Saumarez Smith has stood down from his role as chair of the British Horseracing Authority with immediate effect due to deteriorating health.

Saumarez Smith, who was diagnosed with cancer in June 2023, was appointed chair in June 2022, a role which was extended in December that year to the end of May 2025, representing a full three-year term. He has been assisting with the transition to the new chair, Lord Charles Allen, who assumes the role on June 1.

Senior independent director David Jones, who has previously deputised for Saumarez Smith, has assumed the role as interim chair until June 1.

Saumarez Smith said: “I am very disappointed to step down as chair of the BHA board but now the cancer has spread to my brain and I have been told that my lifespan is pretty limited, I feel it would be very unfair on horseracing if I did not hand over the reins immediately.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed both being on the BHA board for over a decade and being chair for nearly three years. It has been an immense privilege to have such a senior role in a sport I have loved since the age of eight.

“I did not want to stay on and make decisions that were potentially open to later challenge if questions were raised about whether the cancer had impaired my abilities.”

He added: “David Jones will do an excellent job in the interim and I think Lord Charles Allen will do a fantastic job with his highly impressive track record and enthusiasm for the sport.”

BHA says ‘no causal link’ found between Cheltenham fatalities

/in /by

Post-mortem examinations into the three horses who died at Cheltenham on Sunday have suggested that none of the deaths “could have been predicted or prevented” prior to the meeting.

Bangers And Cash, Abuffalosoldier and Napper Tandy all died on the final day of the November Meeting, triggering an enhanced review by the British Horseracing Authority.

The review, which includes gathering and analysing information from racecourse staff, the jockeys, trainers, trainer’s veterinary surgeon, alongside relevant medication and training records, identified the cause of each of the three deaths and found no causal link between them.

An update from the sport’s governing body said: “On occasions when multiple fatalities occur on any given day, enhanced protocols are frequently enacted which includes assessing the incidents to determine whether any causal link can be attributed. This process can include post-mortem examinations of the affected horses.

“In this instance, all three horses were sent for post-mortem examination and the results have confirmed that both Bangers And Cash and Abuffalosoldier suffered from separate varieties of cardiovascular collapse, which is a form of Exercise Associated Sudden Death (EASD).

“Napper Tandy fractured a vertebra in his neck following a fall, with no other abnormalities identified.

“No causal link could be identified and as it stands, none of the fatalities could have been predicted or prevented prior to the race.

“As with humans, EASD can occur in young, fit and otherwise apparently healthy horses of all breeds. Incidents of EASD are, however, infrequent in races, with an overall rate of 0.04 per cent of runners (four in every 10,000) resulting in this outcome. In jump racing specifically the rate is 0.09 per cent, or nine in every 10,000 runners.”

Sombre scenes at Cheltenham, with victorious Abuffalosoldier among three fatalities

/in /by

There was a tragic postscript to the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Sunday when Abuffalosoldier collapsed and died after bravely making every post a winning one.

Sean Bowen steered Warren Greatrex’s seven-year-old to a commanding victory, with a superb round of jumping helping them to come home two and three-quarter lengths ahead of the staying-on Surrey Quest.

Immediately after the race and while still on board, Bowen hailed the horse as a potential future Grand National prospect, but as that interview ended, Abuffalosoldier fell to the ground, with the ITV Racing cameras capturing the incident.

It was later confirmed he had sadly died – and that Bangers And Cash had also died during the same race, having collapsed after being pulled up following the 14th fence.

On a bleak afternoon at Prestbury Park, another horse, Napper Tandy, was fatally injured when falling two out in the following race, the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.

A British Horseracing Authority spokesperson said: “The losses of Abuffalosoldier, Bangers And Cash and Napper Tandy at Cheltenham today are a tragedy for all connections and the thoughts of all of us at the BHA are with them.

“All three were provided with outstanding care and attention throughout their lives by those who cared for them and nobody will be more heartbroken tonight than those individuals.

“As with all fatalities, we will seek to understand the circumstances behind each incident as we strive to continue to reduce avoidable risk in our sport.”

Reflecting on the two deaths in the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase, Liam Kearns, lead veterinary surgeon for Jockey Club Racecourses, told Racing TV: “Both cases we call them cardio-vascular collapse, as you can’t say at this stage whether it is a true heart attack or whether it is a major blood vessel that has ruptured. But it is of that nature and therefore it is a sudden death situation.

“The vets are deployed all around the racecourse, so both horses were attended within seconds and in those situations of acute collapse there are some drugs we can administer, but if it is a true cardio-vascular collapse, not a lot can be done.

“It’s a high-intensity racing situation, we have similar when marathon runners run or long-distance races are run, there is always a concern that athletes at a high level of exertion can without any previous symptoms present this situation. It’s a huge coincidence that it happened twice in the same race.

“All horses are thoroughly checked at home before they leave to go to the races, they are monitored carefully when they arrive at the races and trainers and connections love them to bits – no horse would go to the races with any prior knowledge of a situation like this.

“It is one of those sudden things that can strike.”

Lord Charles Allen appointed new BHA chair

/in /by

Lord Charles Allen has been appointed as the next chair of the British Horseracing Authority.

Allen will begin the role on June 1 next year and ahead of the transition will work closely with current chair Joe Saumarez Smith.

Allen is currently chairman and trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation and was chairman of the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2000-2003, for which he was awarded a CBE.

He oversaw London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics and was board director on the organising committee, later being knighted for his work on the project.

From 2006-2008 he was a chief adviser to the Home Office, in 2012 he was appointed by Ed Miliband to the position of chairman of the management board of the Labour Party and in 2013 he was made a life peer, taking the title Baron Allen of Kensington.

Allen began his career in broadcasting and media with Granada TV in 1991 before going on to have senior roles in leading companies in the sector including EMI, Virgin Media and Endemol.

He said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of chair of the British Horseracing Authority at this important time for the organisation.

“I look forward to building a strong relationship with the new CEO and the board and all our stakeholders, delivering the vision of building the commercial and reputational aspects of the sector.

“My love of horses stems from learning to ride as a youngster and enjoying the sport of horseracing over many years.

“My knowledge, skills and experience from various sectors, including media and entertainment, and having led many regulated and sporting organisations will hopefully stand me in good stead to bring a fresh perspective to this incredible sport.”

Chair of the BHA nominations committee and the BHA’s senior independent director, David Jones, said: “Lord Allen is a very experienced chairman, and I am delighted that we have appointed a candidate of such outstanding calibre.

“His record speaks for itself and his impressive leadership skills, financial and commercial acumen, broadcast experience and an understanding of government will bring a fresh and independent perspective to the BHA’s work.

“Combined with his wealth of experience in global sporting events, Lord Allen impressed the committee with his perceptive grasp of the challenges facing racing and will be a powerful advocate for the sport.”

In a joint statement Charlie Parker, president of the Racehorse Owners Association, and Wilf Walsh, chair of the Racecourse Association, said “On behalf of the shareholders we undertook an exhaustive search for the new BHA chair. We are delighted to have secured Charles Allen. He brings experience of an exceptional business career as well as overseeing successful international sporting events.

“Alongside his business acumen, his political experience will be a significant asset as the BHA engages with the new government on a range of pressing issues for the sport and the industry of horseracing including its funding.”

Callum Shepherd successful in appeal against 18-day ban

/in /by

Callum Shepherd has successfully appealed against an 18-day ban imposed by the Kempton stewards last month.

Riding the David Simcock-trained Thorntonledale Max in a seven-furlong handicap, Shepherd was judged to have failed “to take all reasonable and permissible measures on a horse which would have finished outright first” after Flavour Maker forced a dead-heat on the line.

Shepherd “completely refuted” the allegation at the time, and contested that decision before the British Horseracing Authority’s independent panel on Tuesday morning.

During a lengthy hearing, Shepherd argued he had not stopped riding in the finish, but had lost his balance when using his whip for the final time and came up in the saddle in order to recover his rhythm, insisting his mount had lost “no momentum whatsoever” in the process.

He described it as “embarrassing to watch” and said he “looked a mess” but had continued to ride as he tried to regain his usual style.

“I look all the over the place, it looks bad and I would be the first to say it but it is unusual and completely unintended,” he said.

The panel agreed with Shepherd’s defence and quashed the penalty.

Panel chairperson HH James O’Mahony said: “Whether or not there was an admitted or in fact a mistake is open to argument.

“We accept the reality of life in sport and particularly in racing that things happen very fast and if every time a jockey made an error of judgement there was to be hearing about it, then hearings would go on every day and forever. So it is open to us to consider as we judge it the question of an acceptable explanation.

“We find on the balance of probabilities there was a loss of rhythm and an imbalance that had some causal connection with the appearance and the fact of Mr Shepherd rising as he did above the saddle in the closing strides, and we were able to say that on the most infinitesimal and minute observation of the footage any number of times, from all relevant angles and with close noting of specific times.

“We add that there was no apparent loss of momentum as far as the horse was concerned and finally we emphasise that this case is decided on its own facts and is in no way a precedent or a ruling on any matter of principle that may arise in future cases of this kind.

“The sanction is, of course, quashed.

“We add that in the time available to the stewards when they made their decision, they had nothing like the opportunity that we have had to examine the evidence in such detail.”

BHA concludes Newton Abbot fatalities due to ‘unique circumstances’

/in /by

Friday’s meeting at Newton Abbot will go ahead as scheduled after the British Horseracing Authority completed a “thorough assessment” following four equine fatalities at the track last week.

The South Devon circuit hosted a seven-race card for its most recent fixture on ground that was officially good, good to firm in places, and after the unusual number of casualties the sport’s governing body vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The BHA said that while the reviews into the individual fatalities are still to be completed, it has determined that the injuries were sustained in “unique circumstances and there appears to be no external factor linking them”.

A statement read: “Following four fatalities at its most recent fixture, the BHA’s racecourse and veterinary teams have worked closely with colleagues at Newton Abbot to understand as best as possible the circumstances behind each incident.

“The BHA’s racecourse and facilities manager is satisfied that there was no issue with the racing surface or any other facility at the track that caused these incidents. This followed an inspection of conditions at Newton Abbot and a thorough assessment of the track’s racing surface maintenance records.

“While the individual equine fatality reviews are ongoing, it has been determined that each injury was sustained in unique circumstances and there appears to be no external factor linking them.

“Newton Abbot’s record demonstrates how rare such occurrences are; in the last two full years, 2022 and 2023, a total of 1,524 runners competed at the track, resulting in three fatalities (defined as a horse being fatally injured as a direct result of their injuries on the raceday or within 48 hours of the raceday).

“This equates to a fatal injury rate of 0.20 per cent, below the current national jumps average of 0.42 per cent.

“In addition, a detailed investigation of the circumstances surrounding each fatality is being conducted by the Fatality Review Group. This process follows every fatality on all racedays.

“The BHA and racecourse veterinary teams will, as always, be on hand at Friday’s meeting to ensure horses are in the best condition for racing, including by carrying out pre-race examinations for all runners.”

BHA says betting revenue falls in first quarter of 2024

/in /by

Despite making some progress with regards prize-money and the competitiveness of Premier fixtures, the British Horseracing Authority has reported a decline in overall betting turnover for the first three months of this year.

Wet weather has been blamed for disappointing results regarding jumps meetings, but key Flat cards have performed much better.

However, reflecting on overall figures, the BHA stated: “The impact of affordability checks and the challenging economic climate have contributed towards betting on racing having been in decline for some time and that trend has continued from January to March, when total betting turnover dropped by 5.9%.”

Attendance figures at racecourses up to the end of April were 6.4% lower than the same period in 2023, but it is not all doom and gloom.

“More positively, the betting companies report that the number of active bettors are up, in particular on Saturdays,” added the BHA.

“It is too early to be reaching any strong conclusions on betting numbers but, removing the effect of the Cheltenham Festival, Premier Racedays are outperforming betting on the rest of the fixture list; the decline at Premier Fixtures was 2.7%, compared with 5.2% across Core meetings.

“The introduction of Premier Raceday fixtures on Sundays has seen a particularly strong start, with betting turnover per race at these meetings 21.3% higher compared to equivalent fixtures in 2023.”

Total prize-money at Premier Fixtures increased by £3.2m, while competitiveness at Flat Premier meetings is running at a four-year high for average field size, percentage of races with eight or more runners and the percentage of races with odds-against favourites.

Upon publication of the 2024 fixture list, the BHA introduced a two-year trial of a number of initiatives designed to maximise opportunities around the biggest fixtures and increase the public’s engagement with horseracing.

Regarding the initial Q1 update, the governing body stated: “It is very important to stress that it is early days into the two-year trial to be reporting on numbers.

“Moreover, the period under review was beset by wet weather and a relatively high level of abandonments, including of some key meetings and races.

“It will be possible to form a more reliable view of how things are progressing once we get to the end of June and have data for the first half of the year.”

British Horseracing Authority ‘deeply saddened’ by Newton Abbot fatalities

/in /by

The British Horseracing Authority has launched an investigation after four equine fatalities at Newton Abbot’s National Hunt card on Tuesday afternoon.

The meeting hosted seven races on ground that was officially good, good to firm in places, and after the unusual number of casualties the sport’s governing body has vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, adding it is “deeply saddened”.

A BHA statement read: “Our thoughts are with everyone connected to the horses who suffered fatal injuries yesterday. The loss of any horse is always a dreadful occurrence for the owners, trainers and stable staff who provide them with outstanding care and attention throughout their lives, and so a day like yesterday is one that deeply saddens all of us who love the sport.

“Losing four horses at a single fixture is extremely rare but this does not reduce the seriousness with which the BHA takes this matter. All four deaths will be thoroughly investigated to understand as best as possible how they occurred and a report will also be compiled on the condition of the course, which is being assessed in order to ascertain whether there are any concerns regarding the racing surface.”

A statement from Patrick Masterson, managing director of Newton Abbot racecourse, read: “All at Newton Abbot Races Limited are deeply saddened by the loss of four horses at our meeting yesterday. All our sympathies are with the owners and trainers of the horses concerned. We will assist the British Horseracing Authority with their enquiries into the full facts.”

World Horse Welfare also welcomed the investigation and pointed out that the deaths underline the importance of studies being undertaken in the industry to reduce the risks faced by National Hunt horses.

Roly Owers, chief executive of the organisation, said: “The deaths of Happy Helen, Hallowed Rose, Bala Brook and Cuzzicombe are thoroughly tragic and certainly need to be urgently reviewed.

“This is not the outcome anyone wants from a day of racing, but it does highlight once again the importance of the Jump Race Risk Model analysis being undertaken by the BHA in conjunction with the Royal Veterinary College, as more needs to be done to reduce the risk faced by horses and jockeys in racing.

“We keenly await the outcome of the BHA investigation.”

HRI ‘deeply shocked and appalled’ at RTE documentary

/in /by

Horse Racing Ireland has stated it is “deeply shocked and appalled” by the findings of an RTE documentary investigating the abuse horses can suffer after they leave the racing spotlight.

Whilst defending overall standards of equine welfare within the industry, the governing body insisted it “has zero tolerance for mistreatment of horses in any circumstance”.

A full statement reads: “The Board, management and staff of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) are deeply shocked and appalled by the content of the RTE Investigates documentary broadcast on RTE 1 tonight.

“The criminal behaviour depicted in the RTE documentary is disgusting and is not the experience of the vast majority of the 30,000 people who make their livelihood in the horse racing and breeding industry in Ireland.

“HRI has zero tolerance for mistreatment of horses in any circumstance and criminal and regulatory sanction must be imposed on anyone found to have behaved in an illegal way towards horses.

“Equine safety and care is HRI’s top priority, and this year HRI will invest €16.1 million in welfare and integrity services. The thoroughbred horse is enshrined in Irish and EU law. Significant legal and regulatory checks and balances are in place for thoroughbred horses from birth through their racing career and life cycle.

“HRI will review the issues raised in the RTE documentary and will actively support any Department of Agriculture or Garda investigation, and urge anyone with information about mistreatment of horses to report it to An Garda Siochana.”

The programme was described by RTE as a major new investigation examining the Irish and European horse industries.

It said: “The team went inside the equine industry to show how some of these horses are slaughtered in Ireland, while others are given new identities and traded in deals across Europe.”

Issuing its own response, the British Horseracing Authority said “urgent steps” must be taken.

A statement read: “We share in the shock and dismay regarding the images of abhorrent abuse and malpractice from an abattoir in Ireland which was broadcast on RTE last night.

“Urgent steps must be taken by the appropriate bodies to improve standards for all horses sent to this facility, and sanctions imposed on anyone found to have committed illegal acts or broken regulatory requirements.

“We are aware of the illegal tampering of horse passports and believe the introduction of a digital-only system for equine ID is essential to stop this practice. British racing, alongside other equestrian sports and welfare bodies, has repeatedly lobbied Government to introduce digital ID. We will continue to make it a core ask of the new administration.

“British racing’s goal, as set out in the independently-chaired Horse Welfare Board’s strategy ‘A Life Well Lived’, is to achieve 100 per cent traceability of racehorses when they retire and take their first move from the sport.

“For horses for whom euthanasia is required – which in some circumstances is the most humane outcome – we are here to help those responsible make difficult but timely decisions. Our code of practice for euthanasia emphasises that horses must be allowed to retain their dignity to the end of their lives and if euthanasia is the only option, it should be performed at home or in suitable surroundings.

“In 2022 we imposed a rule that all racehorses which run in Great Britain must be signed out of the human and animal food chain. It was introduced to prevent any horse from racing in Britain and then legally being sold for slaughter to abattoirs, either domestically or internationally.

“British racing is open and transparent about the horses involved in our sport. Facts and information about the horses who are bred for racing, the lives they lead, and what happens when they leave the sport, including how they are supported by the sport’s dedicated aftercare charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), can be found on www.horsepwr.co.uk.”

Ireland’s Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue said those responsible for the alleged mistreatment of horses will face the “full rigour of the law”.

“The scenes we saw last night and the treatment of those horses was abhorrent and distressing. Horses are beautiful, sensitive animals and that was absolutely unacceptable,” Mr McConalogue said.

“It’s certainly not representative of the way that people across this country and those in the industry treat and care for their horses. We already have commenced an investigation in the Department of Agriculture.

“Obviously, I would avoid saying anything that might be prejudicial to the conduct of that investigation. But I can assure you and I can assure the public that this will be fully investigated, and that the full rigour of the law will be applied here.

“The law is adequate but what we saw last night was not lawful, and it was breaches of the law.”

BHA chief Harrington buoyed by HorsePWR response

/in /by

British Horseracing Authority chief executive Julie Harrington has expressed her delight at the positive response to this week’s new HorsePWR campaign relating to welfare in racing.

Encouraging feedback has flooded in from various sectors of the sport, with trainers, jockeys, breeders, owners and media representatives welcoming the initiative.

HorsePWR has its own dedicated website to provide information about the sport and the thoroughbred, the lives they lead and the high welfare and safety standards within racing.

In a statement on www.horsepwr.co.uk, Harrington said: “The response to our HorsePWR campaign is unprecedented for racing. For the industry to rally behind this cause with such full-throated support is immensely heartening.

“We deliberately took a bold and innovative approach to tackling welfare concerns fully aware that it carried a risk of a negative response in some quarters.

“But the way the sport has readily embraced this new concept shows just how much everyone in it recognises that perceptions around welfare are a critical issue for our future.

“It also shows that we recognise the need to be open, transparent and to tackle welfare concerns head-on.

“We should have confidence in what we do and understand that it is through education and information that we will build trust in the sport.

“We are extremely grateful to all the organisations and individuals who have supported the campaign.

“This is just the start and it is important to recognise that the impact campaigns have should never be judged on one day alone.

“We want to grow the campaign and use it to reach wider audiences. We also call on the sport to continue to promote and support the campaign as much as possible. It is in everyone’s best interest to do so.”

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

All-weather fields encouraging but jumps racing ‘short’ on numbers

/in /by

Further adjustments to the National Hunt programme have been “under discussion” as the British Horseracing Authority seeks to improve competitiveness within that sphere.

A total of 300 jumps races and 20 jumps meetings were removed from the 2024 fixture list as part of a package of initiatives focussed on increasing field sizes.

However, the BHA’s director of racing and betting Richard Wayman reports that while the numbers of runners for all-weather meetings on the Flat in the first three months of the year have been pleasing, National Hunt numbers have not reached similar heights.

While citing the wet winter as a possible reason for a lack of competition, Wayman admits jump racing is “short of where we want it to be”.

He said: “It is a mixed picture. If we wanted to look at it positively, on the all-weather through the winter our Flat fixtures have generated probably more competitive racing than we have had for a long time.

“If we look at the percentage of races that have attracted eight runners, you’ve got to go back to 2007 to find the sort of percentage we have achieved in the first three months of this year.

“Obviously, jumping isn’t where we want it to be and we continue to face our challenges with the competitiveness of jump racing. The numbers for jump racing on core fixtures are around 47 per cent, a little bit better at the Premier meetings but either way that is short of where we want it to be.

“I think we haven’t been helped by the ground conditions that we have faced through the first three months of this year – 78 per cent of races have been run on soft or heavy ground compared to 44 or 43 per cent in the last two years, it just demonstrates how wet it has been and that clearly will have had an impact on field sizes.

“However, it is important to stress we’re not using that as an excuse, I think that has been a factor in where we are this year but the challenges we face with jump racing competitiveness are beyond just the fact we’ve had a wet three months.

“We’ve introduced measures this year, we made changes to the programme, we took out 300 races through the year and some will have fallen in the first quarter. It is certainly under discussion whether we need to go further for 2025 in an attempt to make racing more competitive at this time next year than it has been in the last few months.

“Having said that, in our view, you can’t just keep reducing fixtures and/or races with a view to making jump racing more competitive. There are more fundamental issues that as a sport we are going to need to tackle to try to support the long-term future of jump racing.

“We are looking at that and I think we will need to introduce further measures beyond race volume to try to support the future of jump racing longer term.”

During a briefing call, the BHA’s director of communications and corporate affairs Greg Swift confirmed discussions remain ongoing with the Betting and Gaming Council over a reform of the levy, with gambling minister Stuart Andrew due to issue an update later this month.

Swift said: “Meetings are accelerated between BGC and DCMS – in fact, I had a meeting with them this morning.

“We will have at least two next week and we had two last week and there are conversations and meetings that take place outside of those formal arrangements with DCMS at which the minister is trying to bring us closer to an agreed position.

“We continue to work at pace, in good faith on all sides. We are not there yet but we will keep our shoulder to the wheel to try to get an arrangement agreed with the sports minister in time for him to update the house on April 24.”