Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has initiated an executive search to replace Chairman Roger Lewis, who will resign from duties leading its board at the end of the year. A former BBC and ITV executive, Lewis has served on the RMG board since 2012 and was appointed chairman in 2019, leading the media rights organisation through the unprecedented challenges of the …
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The leadership bodies of UK racing have commissioned an initial assessment of the sport’s progress on environmental and sustainability factors to help support racing’s long-term planning for all stakeholders. Announced by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), racing leaders require a ‘clearer overall picture of current environmental activity’ registered across the sport’s value chain components of breeding, training, racing, equine travel, …
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The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has reminded racecourse management of their duties and responsibilities in welcoming back staff safely to racetracks, following the government easing of leisure and hospitality venue restrictions as of 17 May. Ahead of a weekend of full racing fixtures, the BHA has reminded racing management, officials, staff, and owners to review its latest ‘COVID-19 guidelines and …
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The UK Tote Group (Tote) states that it has entered a ‘new pricing era’, following the launch of its new ‘Tote+’ pool pricing module, which will provide racing customers with a 10% enhanced dividend payout. Updating customers, Tote stated that its improved module held no cap on the stake a player can place to receive a price enhancement, which has …
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The Jockey Club has confirmed that the Randox Grand National will maintain its schedule of 8-10 April despite the UK betting sector’s appeal for a change of dates to support the reopening of England’s betting shops on 12 April. Led by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), UK operators had urged the Jockey Club – owner of Aintree Racecourse – …
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UK racing has launched its first ‘community directory’ to highlight the work of key stakeholders that are leading projects and directives to improve the sport’s health, welfare, education, participation and community involvement. Backed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the directory has been developed by sports charity Racing Together in collaboration with The Racing Foundation and thoroughbred news source Godolphin. …
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Unibet, the flagship sportsbook property of Kindred Group Plc, has announced its support of British horseracing’s #GoRacingGreen project – making UK racing accessible to those who suffer from mental health problems. The #GoRacingGreen project was launched in 2019 by racing enthusiast and entrepreneur Deborah Matthews, who openly blogged about how equine activities helped her overcome her struggles with mental health. …
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The UK Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has published its official expenditure plans, outlining racing funding allocations for the full calendar year 2019. In its statement, HBLB governance details that it has established how to allocate its reduced budget of £94m (previously £99m) to support racing innovations, resources and stakeholders. The statutory body overseeing the racing levy responsibilities has committed …
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Filing its 2017/18 corporate accounts with Companies House, UK bookmaker Betfred has declared an operating loss of £40 million. Publishing its corporate performance for the year-ending 30 September 2018, Betfred governance has attributed circa £120 million in ‘exceptional costs’ attached to retail writedowns, as the bookmaker is forced to adjust to UK betting’s FOBTs £2 wagering reduction. The results see …
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Moving to refresh its governance, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed the appointment of Annamarie Phelps as inbound Chair (appointment expected to commence – 1 June 2019). Phelps a former Olympian rower, is the current Vice-Chair of the British Olympic Association and is set to replace current incumbent Atholl Duncan. Updating stakeholders, the BHA’s nomination committee stated that it …
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