Category: General News
03-04-2020
The BHA announced on Thursday 2 April that jump racing in the UK has been suspended until at least 1 July. Currently working on the resumption of Flat racing “behind closed doors” from 1 May, this will allow the industry to concentrate on Flat racing without jump racing putting more pressure on medical and emergency services.
The decision was made following a proposal from the National Trainers Federation to bring clarity to both trainers and owners and minimise unnecessary expense. It was then agreed by the Racehorse Owners Association, the Professional Jockeys Association and the Racecourse Association. More NH fixtures will be scheduled later in the summer.
On the same day it was also announced in Ireland that the Irish point-to-point season has now ended.
19-03-2020
Racing leaders are working to a detailed plan coordinated by the industry group set up to tackle COVID 19. The focus of the plan has shifted over the last 72 hours from allowing racing to continue behind closed doors, maintaining high medical and welfare standards, to meeting the immediate needs of individuals facing hardship and working on a financial response in the light of the suspension of racing.
Senior executives from the BHA, RCA, NTF and the ROA met again this morning to work on an assessment of immediate needs and identify the funding available from government and industry sources as a priority. Few details have been given so far of the processes involved in applying for government assistance, but the BHA is constantly engaged with key departments to ensure they are aware of the issues that have already been encountered. All this will assist in enabling the industry to put forward a request for government support.
The Industry Group is meeting again tomorrow morning to finalise an initial plan. As well as the immediate response to the shutdown, it is coordinating teams and resources to focus on the problems and issues the industry needs to address and resolve. It is already developing a resumption plan to enable racing to get up and running when that becomes possible.
The BHA chairs the Industry Group, through its Chief Executive Nick Rust. Other senior executives involved include David Armstrong from the RCA, Charlie Liverton from the ROA and The Horsemen’s Group, Rupert Arnold from the NTF and Claire Sheppard from the TBA.
The BHA is supporting all areas of the industry plan. These include:
- Finance. This work is led by senior executives and is assessing the financial needs of racecourses, trainers, breeders, other employers and those working in racing. All avenues of potential assistance are being explored. It is supported by the BHA’s Public Affairs Team which is in daily contact with government.
- People. Dawn Goodfellow from Racing Welfare has joined the Industry’s COVID19 Group and will work initially to coordinate help for individuals, supported by the Industry People team led by Will Lambe at the BHA.
- Medical. Dr Iain McNeil, the RCA’s Medical Advisor and Dr Jerry Hill from the BHA continue to provide racing with advice on how the pandemic is developing and actions to be taken.
- Equine Sector. George Noad from the NTF, Claire Sheppard from the TBA and Charlie Liverton from the ROA provide an overview of the impact on trainers, breeders, their staff and jockeys as well as the needs of owners. Dr David Sykes, the BHA’s Director of Equine Health and Welfare, will develop a welfare and veterinary response to support those looking after horses.
Effort is already directed at making sure racing is ready to return at the earliest possible opportunity. Key areas here include:
- Race-day Resilience and Planning. This work is to ensure that all requirements are in place to run race-days when possible. Caroline Davies leads for the RCA, whilst Brant Dunshea, the Chief Regulatory Officer of the BHA, will ensure that all regulatory functions are maintained, including stewarding, integrity and veterinary resources.
- Fixtures and race programmes. Richard Wayman from the BHA leads a tripartite team planning a schedule for resumption, with Ruth Quinn leading on the Pattern and international engagement.
Finally, there are two key areas of work to support the group and keep the industry informed of progress.
- The BHA provides project management and support for the industry group, led by its Director of Communication and Corporate Affairs, Martin Fewell.
- The same team deals with media and government, with its Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Alison Enticknap, leading engagement with the racing industry as the plan develops.
Membership organisations continue to share valuable information and guidance either directly and/or on their websites, which is specific to the needs of their members and reflects questions being asked. We encourage trainers, owners, stable staff, jockeys, breeders and racecourse staff to check this information regularly for updates and to contact these organisations direct with any further questions.
In addition, there are other areas of work underway. Racing Together is identifying ways in which racing may be able to support the wider community effort to tackle the impact of the virus. The BHA is looking at how to fill resourcing gaps that emerge in the industry through Brant Dunshea, and will share details in the next few days of how it intends to manage outstanding disciplinary matters, including appeals, during the shutdown.
Nick Rust, the BHA Chief Executive who chairs the Industry Group, said:
‘The effort from across the sport at the moment is incredible. There is a determination that racing will not be beaten by this shutdown. The willingness to help is universal. We will do all we can to keep people informed as we progress.’
The Chief Executive of Racing Welfare, Dawn Goodfellow, added:
‘We are acutely aware that the current situation will be resulting in immediate hardship for many people from a whole range of different roles across the industry. We are working hard to ensure that any available funds that the industry can provide are disbursed quickly, fairly and transparently to those in most need.’
Rob Hezel, the Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation, which has managed since 2012 the funds received by racing after the sale of the Tote, said:
‘We are working as fast as possible with senior racing executives to work out how best to use our resources to support the developing plan. We are also liaising with other funding bodies to increase the levels of support that can be made available and we are examining the pressures being faced by racing’s charities so we can help them wherever possible too.’
17-03-2020
The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed that all horseracing in Britain will be suspended with effect from tomorrow.
Two race meetings are scheduled to take place behind closed doors at Wetherby and Taunton today, but race meetings will then cease up to the end of April. The decision will be kept under constant review.
The formal decision was taken by Board of the British Horseracing Authority this morning based on the statements made by the government yesterday and after consultation with senior industry leaders. Medical Advisers to the RCA and the BHA, who have been advising an industry group on the response to the crisis, have also been consulted.
The BHA took the decision to protect essential emergency services and the health and welfare of staff working in the racing industry. Racecourses and racing have obligations to ensure the safety of participants and provide medical cover which clearly cannot be fulfilled in these circumstances. This follows the new advice issued by government yesterday to combat the spread of the virus.
More info: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/26644/
12-02-2020
Important calendar correction for All-Weather Amateur Jockeys:
The BHA have kindly re-arranged Wolverhampton’s amateur race originally planned for 23rd March (but which clashed with Lingfield) by kind agreement with Wolverhampton racecourse. Many thanks to all concerned.
It has now been rescheduled for 28th March and will be our final All-Weather race of the amateur 2019/20 season when championship presentations will take place.
21-06-2018
Following a period of consultation with industry stakeholders, the BHA Board has approved changes to the Rules of Racing regarding safety vests which come into force from 1st October 2018:
- Level 1 safety vests to be replaced by Level 2 safety vests EN 13158:2009 or 2018
- Weight allowance: an extra 1 lb in addition to the current 2 lbs making a total of 3 lbs allowance for the vest
The amended rules are as follows:
For implementation from October 1st 2018
Schedule (D)2 – Equipment PART 1
Design of safety vests
6. A safety vest is approved by the Authority if it meets (BS) EN 13158: 2009 or 2018.
7. The minimum acceptable standard for a safety vest is Level 2
8. A safety vest must not be
8.1 modified in any way, or
8.2 attached to the horse or any equipment carried by the horse.
Rule (B)22 – Weighing out procedure
22.6 The Clerk of the Scales will not allow a Rider to be weighed out for any race unless he is wearing a safety vest which conforms to a standard approved by the Authority (see Rule (D)36 (safety vests, skull caps and saddles)).
22.7 Rule (D)42 (weighing out) specifies requirements applying to a Rider on weighing out, including the items he must include in the scale.
22.8 Overweight will be rounded down to the nearest 1lb unit.
22.9 Subject to Paragraph 22.10, to compensate for being required to wear a safety vest, the weight of a Rider on weighing out will automatically be allowed at 3lbs less than the weight that is registered on the scale (factored into the calibration of the Weighing Room scales).
22.10 During the months of December, January and February, to compensate for wearing a safety vest and extra clothing, the weight of the Rider on weighing out for a flat race will automatically be allowed at 4lbs less than the weight that is registered on the scale (factored into the calibration of the Weighing Room scales).
18-05-2018
A reminder to all jockeys who might be riding abroad in the near future, please take the time to read the following regarding INSURANCE FOR JOCKEYS RIDING ABROAD:
1 Make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card. It is free of charge and is easy to apply for on-line at http://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/startApplication.do
This card gives you the right to access state-provided health care when in Europe either at a reduced cost or in many cases free of charge.
You need a National Insurance number or a National Health number in order to apply.
2 Make sure your Amateur Jockeys Association membership is up-to-date and valid so that in the event of an emergency you are entitled to help and support which is always available.
3 Make sure you have clearance from the BHA both from the Medical Department and Licensing Disciplinary so that there are no problems when you come to weigh out abroad.
4 Make sure you are race riding under the Rules of Racing under the jurisdiction of a Horseracing Authority which is recognised worldwide in order for your jockey race riding insurance (which comes with your BHA licence from weigh out to weigh in) to be valid.
5 Make sure that you purchase your own personal travel insurance in addition to the BHA insurance which your licence gives you. The BHA insurance does not cover repatriation if you have to be flown home in an emergency (cost approximately £25,000+) and therefore it really is worth it to purchase some travel insurance on-line for a small cost!
We recommend Boots Travel Insurance with the Option 3 Hazardous Sports included. You only have to purchase this for the day of your race to minimise costs and it could make all the difference if something goes wrong and you sustain an injury.
6 Make sure you are registered with a GP in the UK. This might sound unnecessary but for some Irish jockeys now based in the UK this is really important.
7 A further reminder for jockeys considering working abroad this summer: If a rider is based overseas and hopes to ride under Rules overseas, a permit must be sought from the relative governing authority in which they are currently based (e.g. France Galop, Direktorium Für Vollblutzucht Und Rennen).
Riders with existing and valid BHA Amateur Rider permits can ride overseas for up to a period of up to thirty consecutive days. After a period of thirty successive days overseas, riders’ insurance ceases to be valid.
Permits will not be renewed or granted for individuals that are not permanently based in Britain at the time of application.
01-12-2017
Please can all members note that the AJA AGM originally planned to take place on Monday next 4th December has been postponed until Tuesday 6th February to enable as many of our officials and committee to attend as possible.
The AGM will take place in The Oak Room, The Welcombe Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon at 12 noon and all AJA members are welcome.
20-11-2017
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE AMATEUR JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2017 Annual General meeting of the AJA will be held on Monday 4 December 2017 at 12:00 noon at The Orangery, The Crown and Sandys Hotel, Main Road, Ombersley, Worcestershire WR9 0EW when the following ordinary business will be considered:
- to receive apologies for absence
- to consider and if thought fit to approve and confirm the Minutes of the previous AGM and to authorise the President to sign them
- to receive and consider the report of the directors
- to receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive
- to receive and consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution adopting the accounts for twelve months ending 31 December 2016. The accounts are now completed and copies will be available at the AGM. Alternatively, on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope, copies will be sent to members on written request
- to consider and if thought fit to pass a resolution electing directors.
(a) Richard Burton (proposed by Bob Davies and seconded by Anthea Morshead)
(b) David Dunsdon (proposed by Bob Davies and seconded by Anthea Morshead)
(c) Emily Jones (proposed by Serena Brotherton and seconded by Annabelle Armitage)
(d) Fiona Needham (proposed by Bob Davies and seconded by Anthea Morshead)
(e) The following director retires at the AGM in accordance with Regulations 26.1 and 26.2 and offers himself for re-election: Bob Davies (nominated by Richard Dunwoody and seconded by Anthea Morshead.) Should any other person wish to stand for election as a director he or she is referred to the provisions of regulation 27.
- to re-appoint Andrew Winterburn Chartered Accountants as auditors and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration
Dated: 20 November 2017
By order of the board
A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the company.
28-09-2015
Are you aged 18 to 29 and employed within the racing industry either as an amateur jockey or apprentice jockey or involved in some other capacity?- Might you be interested in taking advantage of professional mentorship opportunities abroad?
- Would you be able to commit to a scholarship opportunity for up to 8 weeks?
- Have you finished at least one year or graduated from your home Racing Academy or other entity that provides horse racing or related industry workforce training?
If so, you may be interested in a unique opportunity that is available to over 20 students to become involved in an international student exchange programme, the Racing Scholarship Fund, which, thanks to the generosity of Sheikh Mansoor and under the leadership of Lara Sawaya, has been set up by IFHRA (International Federation of Horse Racing Academies) (includes the British Racing School and Northern Racing College).
The IFHRA Racing Scholarship Fund (RSF) is designed to benefit both students of IFHRA member racing academies and employers within the horse racing and related industries. Students will work abroad in real-world situations gaining experience and benefitting from mentorships which will be a long-term benefit to future careers. At the same time, future employers will also benefit from students who have experienced the IFHRA RSF and who have therefore gained training in the newest practices our industry offers.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to gain unique experience and broaden your horizons! If you would like to apply for one of these valuable places, you can contact either the BRS or the NRC or alternatively e-mail sph.oliver@btinternet.com immediately for further details and an application pack.
Hurry because the official closing date is 15th October. Please do not delay!
07-09-2015
Did you know that one of the benefits of AJA membership for any licensed amateur jockey (Flat, Jump or Point-to-Point licence holders included) is that you are entitled to 50% discount of subscription to Racing UK?
This in itself actually would cover the cost of AJA membership (currently £100 for 12 months) within a year!
This generous discount is in addition to the automatic insurance which all AJA members are entitled to upon joining.
If you would like to apply for the RUK discount, please download the form from the link below and post it to the AJA for it to be actioned for you.
RUK
