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The latest levy yield will weigh in at around £80 million – a figure hailed by the BHA as evidence that racing has continued to provide excitement and entertainment to the betting public despite the ongoing impacts of Covid-19. The likely outcome for the year ended March 31, as reported by the Levy Board last month, is at the midpoint of its most recent estimated range of £76m to £85m. Levy Board Chairman Paul Darling said: “There was no British racing for the first two months of the levy year and it was far from certain when racing resumed in June 2020 as to what the level of betting activity would be in the months that followed. We have also seen licensed betting offices either closed completely for parts of the year or open with restrictions. “Since June, we have attempted to balance on the one hand our desire to commit substantial extra support for the sport from our reserves with, on the other hand, the uncertainty around our own ongoing future income. “We spent £96m in the past levy year, providing around 50% more to
BILL SELWYN
Levy figure pleases racing’s leaders
Racing has continued to generate revenue despite being staged without crowds
prize-money than normal in recent months, as well as £3m towards costs of new regulatory measures to ensure that the sport can take place in accordance with Covid-19 protocols. It is to the credit of all those involved that fixtures have taken place without interruption since June.” He added: “On the basis of £80m income, our reserves at the end of the 2020/21 levy year stood at just over £40m. This will give us the flexibility to
consider further significant investment in the months ahead, as the Board has had in mind the importance of having sufficient resources for the recovery phase from Covid-19.” British racing industry executives will examine the detailed figures for betting on racing over the past year as part of the work towards longer-term reform of the levy and addressing the challenges faced by British racing, particularly with regard to its
Group assembled to oversee whip consultation The make-up of the Whip Consultation Steering Group has been unveiled, with current riders PJ McDonald and Tom Scudamore, and trainers John Gosden and Henry Daly, among the members. The group will have responsibility for oversight of the process and decision-making in relation to the consultation regarding the use of the foam-padded whip in British racing. As part of the Horse Welfare Board’s (HWB) strategic plan (‘A life well lived’ – a new strategic plan for the welfare of horses bred for racing 2020-2024), a recommendation was made that a public consultation should be conducted by the British Horseracing Authority regarding the use of the whip. This consultation aims to gather and assess the viewpoints of industry participants, non-industry stakeholders and wider public audiences, regarding rules, usage and penalties. The HWB noted that, in its view, the
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need to increase penalties for whip offences is a clear, minimum recommendation. Otherwise no explicit recommendations were made as to what the outcome of the consultation should be. The steering group will play an active role in the process, ensuring that the consultation – which is being run by a BHA project team – is managed in line with objectives and expectations, but also providing practical experience, expertise and insight. Once it has reviewed and assessed the consultation feedback, the group will aim to reach a consensus and make recommendations that help to determine the outcome of the process, which currently is planned to run in the second half of the year. Group Chairman David Jones said: “It is essential that the consultation process is fair, open and transparent and the views of all parties are considered. In addition, any
decisions must be made by those who have a deep understanding and knowledge of the subject matter and are willing to both represent and consider a range of perspectives. “The role of the steering group will be to ensure that all of these requirements are met. The breadth of expertise and experience that’s come together to form this group is truly impressive.” Members of the Whip Consultation Steering Group • David Jones (Chairman), BHA Independent Regulatory NonExecutive Director • Tom Blain, Managing Director, Barton Stud • Henry Daly, trainer • Celia Djivanovic, owner • Tom Goff, founding partner, Blandford Bloodstock • John Gosden, trainer • Baroness Hayman of Ullock, member of the House of Lords