Review leads to BHA shake-up

Major changes to the British Horseracing Authority’s disciplinary and regulatory functions are set to come into effect following the publication of the Quinlan Report.

Independent regulatory expert Christopher Quinlan QC’s review of the BHA’s current system has yielded a number of recommendations – some of which endorse the BHA’s own recent Integrity Review – as to how racing’s rulers can increase confidence among participants and stakeholders.

Earlier in the year non-trier charges brought by the BHA against trainer Jim Best collapsed. The Lewes-based handler, who has always denied any wrongdoing, had his four-year disqualification from the sport quashed and is scheduled to face a rehearing next month.

The creation of a new role of judicial panel chairman, encompassing responsibility for the Disciplinary Panel, Licensing Committee and Appeal Board, and the appointment, training and mentoring of members was one of the key recommendations, along with merging the Licensing Committee with the Disciplinary Panel to form a single disciplinary group under the leadership of the chairman.

Quinlan believes the size of the merged panel and committee should be increased to not less than 22, including a modest increase in legally-qualified members, under open competition, to include any suitably qualified people with sufficient knowledge of horse racing, which could include former professionals such as trainers or jockeys.

He also points to each disciplinary panel hearing being chaired by a legally-qualified member, in the interests of fairness to all parties, while also suggesting raceday stewards should be prevented from serving on the panel while they remain active on the racecourse.

Active raceday stewards will continue to serve on the appeal board and the licensing committee as that does not involve them adjudicating on the decisions of fellow …

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