The BHA Podcast

Christmas Day cruised to victory under Ronan Whelan in the 247th running of the Betfred Derby on Saturday, handing trainer Aidan O’Brien his 12th success in the British Classic.Bay City Roller and jockey Oisin Murphy landed the Coronation Cup for trainer George Scott earlier in the day while on Friday, Thundering On secured victory in the Betfred Oaks, partnered by Dylan Browne McMonagle for Joseph O'Brien.Host Tommy Churchyard was joined by BHA Handicapper Mark Olley to discuss all the action from the two days Epsom Racecourse. ====Mission statement for BHA handicappingFairEvery horse will be treated fairly and with the highest level of integrity at all times, strictly on the merit of its form and using good handicapping practice.TransparentBHA Handicapping will be accessible and understandable for all customers. BHA methodology will be published, demystified and actively communicated.AccountableBHA Handicappers will be available to participants to provide logical and reasonable explanations for their decisions via the appropriate channels at the appropriate time.ConsistentUsing robust data analysis, the BHA Handicapping department will monitor and publish its work to ensure a consistent and equitable approach for all customer groups.ProgressiveThe BHA Handicapping department will conduct research and analysis to ensure its policies are optimal in achieving a fair outcome for horses racing in British handicaps.

With the debate continuing following the decision by the Stewards at Epsom to declare favourite Benvenuto Cellini a non-runner following the Betfred Derby, BHA Chief Executive Brant Dunshea joins host Nick Lightfoot to explain what happened at the start of the world's most famous flat race.===Needless to say, the incident involving the declaration of Benvenuto Cellini as a non-runner in this year’s Derby has caused significant debate. The strength of feeling is understandable given the magnitude of the race.The purpose of this blog is to set out the background and rationale regarding the introduction of this rule, and to address some of the comments and concerns that have been raised.From 1 May 2024 we introduced an amendment of Rule (H)6 in order to allow the BHA Stewards to declare a non-runner in any race beginning from starting stalls if they believe that a horse has been denied a fair start.The change aligned Britain with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) model rule and the approach applied by most other major racing nations. Its introduction followed engagement with and feedback from industry stakeholders, including participants and the betting industry.The rationale behind the rule is that it is unfair to the betting public to lose their money on a horse who is prevented from starting on equal terms.Read the full blog: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/non-runners-at-the-start/

Ombudsman stormed to victory under jockey William Buick to land the Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes on a glorious evening at Sandown Park last Thursday.Host Tommy Churchill sat down with the BHA's Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill to reflect on the contest and assess his prospects at Royal Ascot in a couple of weeks.====You can find all published handicap ratings for horses running in Britain on the BHA website, updated each week on Tuesday morning: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/official-ratings/ratings-database====Mission statement for BHA handicappingFairEvery horse will be treated fairly and with the highest level of integrity at all times, strictly on the merit of its form and using good handicapping practice.TransparentBHA Handicapping will be accessible and understandable for all customers. BHA methodology will be published, demystified and actively communicated.AccountableBHA Handicappers will be available to participants to provide logical and reasonable explanations for their decisions via the appropriate channels at the appropriate time.ConsistentUsing robust data analysis, the BHA Handicapping department will monitor and publish its work to ensure a consistent and equitable approach for all customer groups.ProgressiveThe BHA Handicapping department will conduct research and analysis to ensure its policies are optimal in achieving a fair outcome for horses racing in British handicaps.

Night Raider produced a late finish to take the William Hill Temple Stakes on Saturday afternoon, completing a double for jockey Clifford Lee and trainer Karl Burke at Haydock Park.BHA handicapper Chris Nash joined us to discuss the race and rates Night Raider's prospects for Royal Ascot in a few weeks time. ====Mission statement for BHA handicappingFairEvery horse will be treated fairly and with the highest level of integrity at all times, strictly on the merit of its form and using good handicapping practice.TransparentBHA Handicapping will be accessible and understandable for all customers. BHA methodology will be published, demystified and actively communicated.AccountableBHA Handicappers will be available to participants to provide logical and reasonable explanations for their decisions via the appropriate channels at the appropriate time.ConsistentUsing robust data analysis, the BHA Handicapping department will monitor and publish its work to ensure a consistent and equitable approach for all customer groups.ProgressiveThe BHA Handicapping department will conduct research and analysis to ensure its policies are optimal in achieving a fair outcome for horses racing in British handicaps.

In a bumper episode of The BHA Podcast, host Nick Lightfoot is joined by BHA handicappers Martin Greenwood and Michael Harris to reflect on the publication of the Anglo-Irish Jumps Classification and look back on a memorable season. Director of Integrity John Burgess and Media Manager Mark Scully also stop by to discuss online abuse of racing participants, consider the scale of the problem and ask what can be done? Finally, the BHA's top vet James Given gives the latest on the spread of equine flu and the steps being taken to protect the sport.===Gold Cup winner Gaelic Warrior heads 2025/26 Anglo-Irish Jumps ClassificationCheltenham Gold Cup hero Gaelic Warrior has finished top of the end-of-season Anglo Irish Jumps Classification for 2025/26 with a rating of 180.The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old lined up in the Gold Cup for the first time this year and produced a blistering performance to defeat Jango Baie (168) by eight lengths under Paul Townend.He followed that up with an even more comprehensive victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup, getting the better of Fact To File (173) – who had previously beaten Gaelic Warrior in February’s Irish Gold Cup – by 26 lengths.His other efforts last season saw him involved in two narrow finishes, landing the John Durkan by a neck first-time-out and then finishing third in a remarkable renewal of the King George VI Chase won by The Jukebox Man (168), with the first four home separated by just half a length.Full info: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/gold-cup-winner-gaelic-warrior-heads-2025-26-anglo-irish-jumps-classification/===RaceWISE: British racing’s anonymous reporting serviceRaceWISE is a secure way for anyone with concerns about potential wrongdoing in the sport to report these to the BHA, without having to reveal their identity.This may include possible integrity threats, both on and off the racecourse, the treatment and welfare of horses and humans, safeguarding and equality concerns, or anything else related to British racing that may not feel or look quite right and could damage the reputation of the sport.Find out how to get in touch: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/racewise===Equine flu update: Only horses from licensed training yards to be permitted raceday accessThe British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed today that from Wednesday 20 May, only horses from licensed training yards will be permitted to enter racecourse property on raceday.With a continued rise in reported equine influenza cases in the non-thoroughbred population, this is a precautionary measure to prevent any mixing between the thoroughbred racing herd and horses and ponies from yards that are not licensed.This decision will result in the abandonment of all scheduled Hunter Chase races from 20 May, including the Hunter Chase evening at Stratford Racecourse on 29 May.It also means the cancellation of other equine events due to take place on British racecourses, including Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) parades and activities such as petting farms and pony rides as part of family fun day entertainment.Latest update: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/equine-flu-update-only-horses-from-licensed-training-yards-to-be-permitted-raceday-access/

Notable Speech’s performance in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury was the joint-best since Frankel won the race in 2012, according to BHA Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardener-Hill. Hear Dominic’s full reflections on Saturday’s race, plus his view on Notable Speech’s prospects for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.

To mark the start of Racing Together Community Week, we revisit Lucy Gurney's recent interview for The BHA Podcast.Lucy has held roles at the Jockey Club Rooms and Weatherbys, and is currently Community Engagement Manager for Racing Together.She spoke to host Nick Lightfoot about British racing’s nationwide week of employee volunteering and explained how you can get involved.----What is Racing Together Community Week?British racing’s nationwide week of employee volunteering on 18-24 May 2026.Initiated to collectively inspire and showcase racing creating impact in their communities through volunteeringVolunteering activity ranges from skills sharing, to careers days, environmental clean-ups and moreThis year it is also an opportunity to talk about British racing’s year-round community and social impactThe optional theme is ‘tackling loneliness’. It is designed to support those racing organisations that would like to align to an industry-wide theme.It’s a nationwide initiative, supported via the website and social media, tag @racingtogetherOver 90 racing organisations signed up to give back to their local communities through volunteering 700+ hours in 2025. Watch a previous round up video below.More information: https://www.racingtogether.co.uk/racing-together-community-week/

BHA Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill joins Tommy Churchyard to dissect Bow Echo’s impressive 2000 Guineas success for George Boughey and Billy Loughnane at Newmarket on Saturday.Dominic also touches on True Love’s win in the 1000 Guineas in the hands of Wayne Lordan.Ratings are updated every Tuesday at https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/official-ratings/ratings-database/