Brant Dunshea lands key role at the BHA

The British Horseracing Authority has chosen Brant Dunshea to succeed Jamie Stier as its new Chief Regulatory Officer, after Stier opted to return to Australia to take up a post with Racing Victoria.

Dunshea has been with the BHA since March 2015 and is currently the Director of Integrity and Regulatory Operations, he will take up his duties immediately.

The BHA worked with recruitment specialists to fill the most senior regulatory position in British racing, attracting interest from international candidates from racing and other sports. The Chief Regulatory Officer role is responsible for managing the BHA’s race-day operations, including stewarding, integrity and equine welfare staff. It also has responsibility for managing the teams that license trainers, jockeys and racecourses, leading anti-doping and anti-corruption investigations and running the sport’s equine welfare programme.

The BHA’s Chief Executive, Nick Rust, commented: “Following an extensive selection process which featured a number of strong candidates from horseracing worldwide, as well as leaders in other sports, Brant stood out clearly as the best candidate for this important role.

“Brant was promoted to his current role in late 2016, and has demonstrated his capability to be a senior leader within British racing. His expertise stood out during the competitive selection process and I am pleased that the BHA’s long-term succession planning has allowed us to appoint an in-house candidate to this high profile role.

“I am looking forward to working with him to improve the BHA’s regulatory capability, working alongside our stakeholders to grow our great sport.”

Dunshea added: “I consider it a privilege to be appointed to this important role and look forward to continuing to build on the relationships I’ve already developed across British racing since joining the BHA.

“Regulation in sport has evolved significantly over recent years, and I’m committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders on any future changes to the way the BHA performs its functions. I’m passionate about our great sport and am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

As Chief Regulatory Officer, Brant’s initial tasks will include leading the review announced after the Cheltenham Festival and completing the BHA’s work to design a new model of stewarding. He will look at how the whole regulatory team operates before making any new appointments.

Brant joined the BHA as Head of Raceday Operations in March 2015 and was appointed Director of Integrity and Regulatory Operations in September 2016. He is an experienced administrator and regulator having held various senior roles within racing-related industries in Britain and Australia over the past 20 years.