The BHA Podcast

In this special episode of The BHA Podcast, we mark Black History Month by taking stock of where racing has been, where it is now and what more can be done to ensure the sport reaches diverse communities across Britain. Host Nick Lightfoot is joined by BHA Chief Executive Brant Dunshea and Head of Diversity & Inclusion Rose Grissell, as well as broadcaster Josh Apiafi and British Horseracing Development Programme alumnus Casey Gore.

In the latest episode of the BHA Podcast, we are joined by four BHA Handicappers to dissect the thrilling action from British Champions Day as well as the Flat season as a whole.In a jam-packed episode, we cover Ombudsman's new rating and whether he's the best middle distance horse in Europe, what the Handicapper said to William Haggas when asked if Maltese Cross should go for the St Leger or Arc, and the rise of leading sprinter Almeraq.To finish the episode, each Handicapper picks out a horse that has surprised them this season, as well as one to keep an eye on next year.

In the latest episode of The BHA Podcast, we take a trip to Wales for the opening fixture of the season at Chepstow and the Welsh Horse Racing Awards.The awards and the racing came at a vital time for Welsh racing, with the BHA in the process of producing an economic impact assessment to set out, for the first time, the contribution to the Welsh economy made by racing in Wales.In this episode, we hear from some of the leading figures in Welsh racing to understand what makes it so special and what is being done to ensure decision makers in Cardiff understand the many positives derived from the sport.

With nominations open for the 2027 Godolphin Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, we visited the Dubai Future Champions Festival on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile for a special edition of The BHA Podcast.Godolphin managing director Hugh Anderson emphasises the vital importance of recognising the hard work, passion and dedication of the people working and volunteering at the heart of our sport – and chooses his stand-out moment from over two-decades of celebrations.We caught up with 2026 Employee of the Year Kieran Kourdache, who reflects his success at February’s ceremony and an incredibly busy year for everyone at Karl Burke Racing.He also tells us which world-famous judge he will be looking to emulate as he joins our esteemed judging panel.Also joining the podcast are head judge Nick Luck and his fellow judges Anna Kerr and Eileen Harte, who are all gearing up for another fiendishly difficult task this year.We get an insight into what exactly our judging panel is looking for in a nomination, and they urge breeders and training yards to nominate their stars – and potentially win a share of the £128,500 prize.Nominations are open now for the 2027 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin.To nominate, go to: https://www.thoroughbredawards.co.uk

Musical Times extended her unbeaten record under jockey William Buick for trainer Charlie Appleby in the Group 1 bet365 Fillies' Mile on Friday.The following day, Ryan Moore rode Darkness Falls to victory in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes, seeing off the challenge of Desert Castle and Buick. BHA Handicapper and two-year-old specialist Graeme Smith sat down with Tommy Churchyard to share his thoughts and updated figures after the weekend's action in Newmarket.

In this episode of The BHA Podcast, host Nick Lightfoot is joined by the BHA's Director of Racing, Richard Wayman, to discuss the 2027 fixture list and today's prize money funding announcement. Richard discusses the sport's growth strategy and the future of the fixture list - and shares his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe selection.We also hear from trainer Charlie Fellowes on the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin and why you should nominate your star for the 2027 awards.

Nabati took the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Saturday for William Buick, Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.In the latest episode of The Handicapper, BHA’s two-year-old specialist Graeme Smith discusses the Mill Reef ratings and also looks ahead to a pulsating edition of the Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket Racecouese on Saturday.

Highwayman powered to an unforgettable victory for trainer Joseph O'Brien in the 250th renewal of the Betfred St Leger on Saturday. In turn Saffie Osborne created history, becoming the first female jockey to win a British Classic at Doncaster Racecourse. Is the Melbourne Cup now a possibility?Tommy Churchyard sat down with BHA Handicapper Adam Barnes for his assessment of the momentous race.