The BHA Podcast

The BHA’s Cathy O’Meara, Robbie Supple and Shaun Parker join host Nick Lightfoot to discuss the announcement of recommendations designed to improve the starts at Cheltenham and across wider Jump racing. ======Fewer false starts and clearer starting processes are the aims of recommendations from the review of starts at the Cheltenham FestivalFewer false starts and clearer starting processes among the objectives of recommendations from the review of starts at the Cheltenham Festival. The follow detailed consultation with jockeys, trainers, broadcasters, officials and bettors. Course configuration, starting procedure changes and enhanced regulation are amongst the five recommendations. They include Cheltenham-specific layout changes alongside others which apply to Jump racing as a whole:1. Optimise as far as possible the track layouts at Cheltenham’s two most problematic starting points (2 mile and 2 1/2 mile) to reduce natural field congestion and acceleration.2. Change current wording within the rules as to the maximum pace at which a horse can approach the tapes from a "walk or jig-jog" to “walking pace” to apply to all Jump races.3. To improve clarity for all involved, explore the concept of a physical, highly visible "start zone" at starts across all racecourses.4. To increase the deterrent to rule breaches, consider the implementation of a tiered penalty increase specifically targeting Class 1 and Class 2 races across all courses.5. Explore introduction of a live audio recording system to capture communications and instructions given by starters to jockeys, with a direct feed to the stewards' room.Prior to any implementation all of these recommendations will now be scoped out in more detail. This includes further discussion with participants, assessment of racecourses where there are proposals for physical changes, and consideration of trial periods.Read the full details at https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/fewer-false-starts-and-clearer-starting-processes-are-the-aims-of-recommendations-from-the-review-of-starts-at-the-cheltenham-festival/

The LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings have been updated today, with Ombudsman and Ka Ying Rising sharing top billing on a rating on 131.BHA's Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill plays a leading role in compiling the global rankings and sat down with us to explain the thinking behind the ratings.

In a special episode of The BHA Podcast, host Nick Lightfoot is joined by the BHA's Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Greg Swift, to reflect on the Gambling Commission's announcement that it will implement financial risk assessments on punters.It features contributions by Dan Carden MP, Sally Jameson MP, Charlotte Cane MP, Louie French MP, Esther McVey MP and Helen Maguire MP, all speaking at yesterday's future of horseracing debate at Westminster Hall (on Tuesday 7 July).======BHA statement regarding Gambling Commission announcement on financial risk assessmentsSpeaking in regards to the Gambling Commission’s announcement that it intends to implement affordability checks on bettors in the United Kingdom, Brant Dunshea, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), issued the following statement (Tuesday 7 July):“We are hugely disappointed that the Gambling Commission will implement affordability checks which will have severe financial implications for British racing and the UK economy and subject racing bettors to unwarranted levels of intrusion.Over a number of years, and through several consultations, British racing has engaged in a spirit of huge goodwill to honestly advise the Government about the potential impact this policy would have on our sport and its fanbase.These concerns were shared by the betting industry, politicians, campaigners and policy makers, who warned of devastating unintended consequences on two major industries that are worth billions of pounds to the UK economy and employ more than 200,000 people across Britain.We understand these checks have been proven by the Gambling Commission’s own pilot to not be ‘fully frictionless’ as originally promised by successive Government ministers.Rather than protecting consumers, these checks will have the opposite effect: driving more customers to the illegal market – which puts them at much greater risk of gambling-related harm – and starving the Treasury of much needed tax revenue.Objective evidence from across the globe makes clear that this decision is one of self-harm on an immense scale that will have damaging economic and societal implications.For this decision to be taken unilaterally by the Gambling Commission shows a clear abdication of duty by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which has failed to grip this process or properly consider the damaging consequences of the decision.Read the statement issued by BHA CEO Brant Dunshea here: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/bha-statement-regarding-gambling-commission-annoucement-on-financial-risk-assessments

Constitution River handed Aidan O’Brien a tenth Coral Eclipse, winning by three lengths under Ryan Moore at Sandown Park at the weekend.Here host Tommy Churchyard sat down with the BHA's Head of Handicapping, Dominic Gardiner-Hill, to assess his performance and look ahead to a potentially mouth watering contest in the Juddmonte International in York next month.---You can find all published handicap ratings for horses running in Britain on the BHA website, each week on Tuesday morning: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/official-ratings/ratings-database/

Align The Stars stayed on strongly to take the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate under Daniel Muscutt for trainer Charlie Johnston and owner Tony Farmer on Saturday.Tommy Churchyard sat down with BHA Handicapper Adam Barnes for his assessment of the five-year-old gelding's performance at Newcastle Racecourse. 

We're back after a remarkable Royal Ascot, full of great performances and no little drama. Host Nick Lightfoot looks back on it all with BHA Chief Executive Brant Dunshea and Head of Stewarding Shaun Parker, as well as finding out how the BHA has responded to the extraordinary heatwave in Britain. Michelle Douglas also joins the show to discuss the upcoming 2026 British Horseracing Development Programme. Find out more about the Programme and this year's participants here: https://viewer.joomag.com/british-horseracing-development-programme-2026/0381624001780411926/p18?short====The British Horseracing Development Programme starts at the beginning of July with a free two-week residential induction course in Newmarket, a market town in the county of Suffolk, often referred to as the Home of British Horseracing. The course is packed with lectures, tours and visits.There are usually placements in Marketing, Digital, Journalism and Sales, to name a few. Placements are subject to change and when you apply, you will be asked to submit your preferred area of interest and your career aspirations.Approximately 16 to 20 places are available each year, in a variety of organisations, in locations across the UK. The programme provides an invaluable source of talent to the industry. Many of the programme’s alumni have established careers in a wide range of roles; management positions at racecourses, broadcasters, the trade press, bloodstock sales and also at the British Horseracing Authority.Find out more: https://careersinracing.com/course/british-horseracing-development-programme/

Ombudsman won the Prince of Wales's Stakes for a second successive year after delivering a memorable performance on the second day of Royal Ascot. Having had a few days to reflect, we sat down with the BHA's Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill to assess his impressive victory and confirm his new mark following 'the best performance we've seen in the world in 2026.'

Scandinavia battled past Trawlerman for a thrilling victory in the 2026 Gold Cup on the third day of Royal Ascot, handing trainer Aidan O'Brien his 100th success at the meeting.Tommy Churchyard caught up with BHA Handicapper shortly after the race to get his early thoughts on the contest. 

Could that be his best performance yet? Ombudsman made it back-to-back victories in the Prince of Wales Stakes in impressive fashion under William Buick on the second day of Royal Ascot.We caught up with BHA Handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill to get his immediate reflections on the race, plus an assessment of Bow Echo's success in the St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day.