The BHA Podcast

British Horseracing Authority
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Welcome to The BHA Podcast, hosted by Racing TV's Nick Lightfoot. In a brand new show, direct from the British Horseracing Authority, he speaks to senior leaders within the sport’s governing body to get their thoughts on the biggest issues facing racing. The BHA Podcast wants to hear from you. If you have any questions for the BHA then you can email them to us at podcast@britishhorseracing.com and we will endeavour to answer as many as possible in future episodes. Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. The Handicapper - Betfred 2000 Guineas 2026

    3D AGO

    The Handicapper - Betfred 2000 Guineas 2026

    BHA Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill joins Tommy Churchyard to dissect Bow Echo’s impressive 2000 Guineas success for George Boughey and Billy Loughnane at Newmarket on Saturday. Dominic also touches on True Love’s win in the 1000 Guineas in the hands of Wayne Lordan. Ratings are updated every Tuesday at https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/official-ratings/ratings-database/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min
  2. 18. Affordability latest as Flat festivals capture imagination

    4D AGO

    18. Affordability latest as Flat festivals capture imagination

    The latest BHA Podcast finds host Nick Lightfoot at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile during the Betfred Guineas Festival. As the crowds flock once more to enjoy world class racing at one of British sport’s iconic venues, the threat posed by affordability checks continues to loom large. The BHA’s Director of Communications Greg Swift explains to Nick why this is such a pivotal week. Later, Lucy Gurney stops by to explain how you can get involved in the 2026 Racing Together Community Week. ===== Affordability checks – Save Our Bets The sport has come together to make clear its opposition to what are more commonly known as affordability checks. More than 400 people from racing and cross party MPs/Peers signed an open letter to Lisa Nandy MP, the Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, urging her to instruct the Gambling Commission to stop the roll-out of the checks this spring. Racing and betting have also joined forces with The Sun newspaper’s ‘Save Our Bets’ campaign and we have launched an online portal for racing fans and punters to write to their local MP asking them to put pressure on the Government to halt the checks. Why are we doing this? According to betting operators who have worked on the Gambling Commission’s pilot of checks, which has been running for more than 18 months, the credit reference agencies (CRAs) used are obtaining vastly different results for the same customer and an insufficient level of data to profile customer risk. It means that if these checks were implemented now they would not be entirely ‘frictionless’ for punters. It would mean some would still be required to hand over personal financial documents such as payslips and bank statements, but at new, lower thresholds than the current 2024 Voluntary Industry Code. As the BHA and racing have outlined consistently since the publication of the 2023 Gambling White Paper – including in our ‘Right to Bet’ campaign that year which saw over 100,000 people sign our petition which led to a debate in Parliament – affordability checks as they stand would have severe consequences for the sport’s finances. And in allowing the GC to implement the checks in their current form, the Government would also directly contradict its own position. Previous DCMS Minister Stuart Andrew MP said checks would only be implemented if they could be proven to be “truly frictionless.” ===== Racing Together Community Week 2026 Racing Together Community Week, British racing’s national week of employee volunteering, will take place from 18–24 May 2026, bringing together organisations from across the sport to support communities nationwide. Last year saw a record 90+ racing organisations, including racecourses, trainers, owners and staff, take part in the initiative, delivering a wide range of volunteering activities that made a positive impact in local communities. Now in its seventh year, Racing Together Community Week has more than doubled participation since 2020. The initiative celebrates the collective efforts of the British racing industry to support local causes through activities including school outreach programmes, charity partnerships, community clean-ups, food bank support and wellbeing sessions. New for 2026 is an optional theme designed to inspire new volunteering ideas and align activity across the sport. Racing Together is encouraging organisations to support work addressing loneliness in local communities. The charity is currently delivering a BHA pilot programme, funded by the Racing Foundation, at six racecourses exploring how racing can help tackle loneliness in the areas surrounding racecourses. This work forms part of the sport’s social impact strategy, find out more here. Those interested in aligning their activity with this theme are encouraged to contact Racing Together to discuss ideas: lucy@racingtogether.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  3. The Handicapper – Randox Grand National

    APR 14

    The Handicapper – Randox Grand National

    BHA Handicapper Martin Greenwood joins host Tommy Churchyard to provide his take on I Am Maximus’ historic second Grand National success at Aintree on Saturday. Ratings updated every Tuesday: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/official-ratings/ratings-database Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min
  4. 17. Barry's Briefing - How to ride the Grand National

    APR 11

    17. Barry's Briefing - How to ride the Grand National

    Former jockey Barry Geraghty, who won the Grand National in 2003 aboard Monty's Pass, will be joined by fellow weighing room legends Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald to deliver a briefing to all jockeys riding in the 2026 Randox Grand National. In this excerpt from the latest BHA Podcast, Barry shares his memories of riding in the race and tells us the key messages he'll be passing on to those competing today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 min
  5. 16. The 2026 Randox Grand National

    APR 11

    16. The 2026 Randox Grand National

    One of the best days of the year is finally here! It's the 2026 Randox Grand National and we've got everything you need to start your morning. BHA CEO Brant Dunshea joins host Nick Lightfoot to run through some of the big recent headlines, before James Given stops by to discuss the BHA's role in keep the equine stars of the show safe and healthy. Meanwhile, on-course at Aintree, Mark Scully speaks to a Grand National legend as Barry Geraghty shares the advice he gives to the riders as part of his jockey briefing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  6. The Handicapper – William Hill Lincoln 2026

    MAR 31

    The Handicapper – William Hill Lincoln 2026

    BHA Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill joins Tommy Churchyard to discuss Urban Lion's victory in a thrilling William Hill Lincoln, handing trainer Jack Channon a memorable double at the Flat season curtain raiser at Doncaster Raceourse.   The ratings are updated every Tuesday at britishhorseracing.com/regulation/official-ratings/ratings-database Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 min
  7. The Handicapper – Constitution Hill's official BHA rating

    MAR 31

    The Handicapper – Constitution Hill's official BHA rating

    BHA handicapper Adam Barnes joins Tommy Churchyard to discuss Constitution Hill, who received an official rating following his second Flat win last week. He won in the Virgin Bet Novice Stakes at Kempton Racecourse on Wednesday (25.03.26). • Constitution Hill’s unbeaten start • His new handicap mark • Future prospects on the Flat   The ratings are updated every Tuesday at britishhorseracing.com/regulation/official-ratings/ratings-database Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  8. 15. Cheltenham reflections, training fees credits and the D&I strategy launch

    MAR 21

    15. Cheltenham reflections, training fees credits and the D&I strategy launch

    In a bumper episode of The BHA Podcast, host Nick Lightfoot looks back on some of the main talking points from the Cheltenham Festival before Richard Wayman stops by to discuss the recently-announced Training Fees Credit Scheme. Finally, Rose Grissell joins the show to expand on the sport's new diversity and inclusion strategy. --- The Training Fees Credit Scheme got underway at @CheltenhamRaces last week. The BHA scheme is about incentivising owners to have quality horses trained in Britain. It is just one part of a package of measures designed to encourage owning, training and breeding of quality Jumps horses here. Full details: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/innovative-training-fees-credit-scheme-introduced-to-provide-boost-to-ownership-of-quality-jumps-horses --- Earlier this week the BHA launched our new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy – a three‑year plan to build a sport that is inclusive, safe and welcoming for everyone. Our new EDI Strategy sets out clear, evidence-based actions to strengthen leadership, widen opportunity and improve fairness across the sport. Alongside the strategy, we’ve published a summary of new ethnicity research capturing the lived experiences of ethnically and culturally diverse people working in racing. Their insights have shaped our priorities and will inform a dedicated action plan. From improved reporting systems to inclusive education, leadership development and better support for underrepresented groups, the strategy focuses on practical change and providing the sport with the tools to improve diversity and inclusion. Full details: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/all-in-the-race-british-horseracing-authority-launches-new-cross-industry-equality-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy-and-publishes-ethnicity-research/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
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About

Welcome to The BHA Podcast, hosted by Racing TV's Nick Lightfoot. In a brand new show, direct from the British Horseracing Authority, he speaks to senior leaders within the sport’s governing body to get their thoughts on the biggest issues facing racing. The BHA Podcast wants to hear from you. If you have any questions for the BHA then you can email them to us at podcast@britishhorseracing.com and we will endeavour to answer as many as possible in future episodes. Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    British Horseracing Authority
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © British Horseracing Authority
  • Show Website
    The BHA Podcast

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