The BHA Podcast

Almeraq stormed to victory in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock Park on Saturday. The four-year-old handed jockey Tom Marquand and trainer William Haggas an impressive win to add to his Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes success at Ascot back in June. Tommy Churchyard sat down with BHA Handicapper Stewart Copeland to get his assessment of Saturday's race and how the performance ranks against previous winners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tommy Churchyard sat down with BHA Handicapper Mark Olley for his thoughts and updated ratings following a memorable Ebor Festival at York Racecourse. Kalpana and Colin Keane landed the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks in dramatic style on day two, handing trainer Andrew Balding and Juddmonte the second of their two Group 1 wins at York Racecourse. The Park House Stables team would end the week with six winners in total. Meanwhile Maltese Cross and Tom Marquand produced Mark's 'performance of the week' when winning the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes for trainer William Haggas and owner George Waud. He became the highest rated winner of the race this century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The BHA’s Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill joins us once again to confirm the official ratings following the Juddmonte International Stakes at York last Wednesday, won by the Juddmonte-owned Item for Andrew Balding and Colin Keane. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Item won the Juddmonte International on the opening day of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse, beating Almaqam by a head under jockey Colin Keane for the Andrew Balding team. Constitution River and Ombudsman finished third and fourth respectively. Tommy Churchyard sat down with Dominic Gardiner-Hill, the BHA's Head of Handicapping, to get his initial reaction to the thrilling race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Goodwood was glorious! We take a look back at a sensational week at the Qatar Goodwood Festival with the BHA's Head of Handicapping, Dominic Gardiner-Hill, who shares his revised ratings for the leading horses. He reflects on Bow Echo and Billy Loughnane's upward trajectory following a thrilling Sussex Stakes and Diamond Necklace's imperious 'career best' showing in the Nassau Stakes. Plus how do you go about rating a race as eventful as the Goodwood Cup, which promised a real duel on the downs but ended with Trawlerman impeded and Scandinavia powering to victory? ===== 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bow Echo stretched his unbeaten run to six with another sensational victory, this time in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes under jockey Billy Loughnane for trainer George Boughey. The BHA's Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill shared his immediate thoughts on Wednesday's showpiece race at Glorious Goodwood, won in thrilling style to land the £1.5 million prize and the most valuable mile race ever run in Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kalpana landed a thrilling victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday. The five-year-old mare saw off the challenge of Calandagan, Benvenuto Cellini Masquerade Ball and Lambourn under jockey Colin Keane for trainer Andrew Balding and Juddmonte. BHA Handicapper Mark Olley sat down with James Giblett to assess the 1m 3f race and share his revised mark for the Kingsclere-based horse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join host Nick Lightfoot as he sits down with Simon Cox for the first time on the BHA Podcast, following last week’s announcement that Simon will be the new Chair of the BHA. Simon talks about his passion for racing, his previous career experience and how nothing could ever keep him away from the Cheltenham Festival. === Simon Cox appointed new BHA Chair (22 July 2026) Simon Cox has been appointed as the new independent non-executive Chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). He will assume his position on 1 October 2026. A passionate owner-breeder and accomplished business leader, Cox has a deep understanding of the British racing and breeding industry, combined with extensive board-level experience and large-scale commercial expertise. Cox has been a member of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) board of trustees since November 2021 and chairs the BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee, which makes recommendations to the BHA Board on how to continually strengthen the Jump Pattern and Listed programme. A former Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) board member, Cox is a member of the industry’s High Quality Horse group, which is contributing to wider work to grow the number of horses – and particularly top-class horses – being bred, owned, trained and raced in Britain. An owner of racehorses for more than 15 years with four horses currently in training, Cox has established himself as a thoroughbred breeder, with 10 broodmares stationed at Shade Oak Stud – also home to St Leger winner-turned-stallion Logician, in whom he owns shares. Read the full release: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/simon-cox-appointed-new-bha-chair/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Festival Fewer 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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 assessments Speaking 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 handicapping Fair Every 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. Transparent BHA Handicapping will be accessible and understandable for all customers. BHA methodology will be published, demystified and actively communicated. Accountable BHA Handicappers will be available to participants to provide logical and reasonable explanations for their decisions via the appropriate channels at the appropriate time. Consistent Using robust data analysis, the BHA Handicapping department will monitor and publish its work to ensure a consistent and equitable approach for all customer groups. Progressive The 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thundering On produced an impressive display to take the Betfred Oaks for jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle and trainer Joseph O'Brien. BHA Handicapper Mark Olley spoke to James Giblett moments after the race for his immediate assessment of the race and took a look ahead to tomorrow's Coronation Cup and Betfred Derby 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.