The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) released plans to strengthen the regulation of racehorses after a consultation with the entire industry last year.
After this survey, which was part of the actions aimed at the recovery of British races, the authority examined the risks of shared ownership and how to improve regulation in the modality. Therefore, BHA has developed 10 new measures to improve the Union’s Code of Conduct, introduced in 2017.
The authority will implement its new phased approach throughout 2021 and early 2022. BHA highlighted three phases, the first of which will begin in May this year.
This first phase will focus on amending the Union’s Code of Conduct to cover new terms that include the cost of purchasing horses, confirming how and when the prize money received will be paid to members.
Phase 2 focuses on introducing additional questions to the Union’s registration form and launching a campaign to publicize the Code of Conduct.
In addition, BHA wants all union members to disclose participation percentages and allow members with less than 2% to check their property online. And, it will also start auditing contracts and improving the administration system.
BHA says the new rules serve to increase public confidence
According to the BHA, these new rules were developed to increase public confidence in unions and racing clubs.
“It is vital for the future of our sport that we can attract and retain racehorse owners. Unions and racing clubs clearly have a key role to play in these efforts, ”said Richard Wayman, COO of the British Horseracing Authority.
Wayman concluded: “The responses to the consultation confirmed that the sport has many extremely well run unions and running clubs that offer exemplary services to their members. It is crucial that the public can continue to have confidence in these organizations. For this reason, these standards have been developed ”.
