Tag Archives: Joe Saumarez Smith

BHA reveals Porter-Mackrell as 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee

SBC News BHA reveals Porter-Mackrell as 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee

David Porter-Mackrell of Newsells Park Stud has been named the Employee of the Year at the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards – sponsored by Godolphin. Yesterday’s awards ceremony at Ascot Racecourse – attended by The Princess Royal and hosted by ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin – celebrated the contribution of racing’s workforce to British racing and saw £128,500 in prize money …

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BHA backs 2024 fixtures list promoting Premier Racedays

SBC News BHA backs 2024 fixtures list promoting Premier Racedays

British racing will undertake significant changes and customer-facing innovations following publication of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) 2024 Fixture List.  A key directive of the BHA and its stakeholders, the 2024 fixtures list will showcase new initiatives designed to grow racing, by engaging new audiences with the heritage sport. In a statement, the association noted: “The innovations introduced through the …

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Joe Saumarez Smith: BHA has a ‘proper picture’ of UK racing’s future

SBC News Joe Saumarez Smith: BHA has a ‘proper picture’ of UK racing’s future

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has taken the first steps on the road to securing a ‘brighter and more prosperous future’ for the sport, Joe Saumarez Smith, Chair of the Board, has detailed. Following what has been described as ‘months of extensive consultation’, a significant development for British racing was made on Tuesday as the BHA Board voted unanimously for …

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Sunak hails UK Racing’s diverse economic contribution

SBC News Sunak hails UK Racing’s diverse economic contribution

PM Rishi Sunak praised the vital contribution of horseracing to the British economy at yesterday’s ‘Godolphin 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards’. The awards ceremony, which recognises the work of individuals across Britain’s racing and breeding industries, was celebrated yesterday evening at York Racecourse. Via video message, PM Sunak highlighted the diverse range of work created by UK racing which contributes …

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BHA resolves issues of the whip’s ‘backhand-only rule’ in adjusted regulations

SBC News BHA resolves issues of the whip’s ‘backhand-only rule’ in adjusted regulations

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced several adjustments to the rules regarding the use of the whip in the sport. Concluded at a recent Board Meeting, the regulation which stated that the whip can only be used in the backhand position has now been disregarded. This has been replaced by an amendment to reduce the amount of times it …

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BHA extends Joe Saumarez Smith’s Chair tenure to guide long-term strategy

BHA extends Joe Saumarez Smith’s Chair tenure to guide long-term strategy

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has extended the Chairmanship of Joe Saumarez Smith until 31 May 2025. This will represent a full three-year term for Saumarez Smith, who replaced Annamarie Phelps in June 2022 on the basis that he would serve as Chair until November 2023. However, the extension of his contract was recommended by the BHA’s nominations committee, and …

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BHA appoints Sarah Crowther KC as Chair of UK Racing’s Judicial Panel.

SBC News BHA appoints Sarah Crowther KC as Chair of UK Racing’s Judicial Panel.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed the inbound appointment of Sarah Crowther KC as Chair of UK racing’s Independent Judicial Panel.  Crowther succeeds Brian Baker CBE, the inaugural Chair of the Judicial Panel, who will end his six-year tenure in January.   The Independent Judicial Panel serves as the disciplinary and appeals board for UK racing. The panel can hold …

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BHA elects John Ferguson as board member for licensed personnel

SBC News BHA elects John Ferguson as board member for licensed personnel

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has appointed former trainer and bloodstock expert John Ferguson to the Board of Directors of UK racing’s governing body. A figurehead of British racing, Ferguson has been elected as one of the two member-nominated directors chosen by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) and National Trainers Federation (NTF) – acting on behalf …

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UK Racing mourns the passing of Elizabeth II as its greatest patron

SBC News UK Racing mourns the passing of Elizabeth II as its greatest patron

UK racing has mourned the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who is recognised as horseracing’s “greatest and most influential supporter.” Yesterday afternoon, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s patronage of British racing supporting all levels of the sport.  Queen Elizabeth was a keen breeder of racehorses and endorsed equine welfare as a global ambassador of The …

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