Australian racing administrator Brant Dunshea will take over as the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) acting chief executive at the end of the year, providing time for the regulator to find a permanent replacement.
Dunshea will replace the outgoing Julie Harrington from January 1 on an interim basis while the BHA undertakes a recruitment process to appoint a new chief executive on a permanent basis.
Formerly general manager of integrity services and later chief operating officer at Harness Racing Victoria, Dunshea joined the BHA in early 2015 as head of raceday operations and, the following year, he earned a promotion to director of integrity and regulatory operations.
In 2018, Dunshea was appointed as the chief regulatory officer, a position he has held since.
Harrington announced her resignation as BHA CEO in June after four years in the top job.
“With so much now in place to develop and grow the industry strategy, which will secure a brighter future for British horseracing, it felt like the right time to move on and let someone else steer the sport through its next exciting phase,” Harrington said at the time.
“It has been a huge privilege to lead the BHA during what has been a period of real change as the sport has developed and implemented shared strategies for a sustainable future, and an ability to speak with one united voice.”
The BHA is also awaiting a new chair, Lord Allen of Kensington, to take over from incumbent Joe Saumarez Smith on June 1.
Lord Allen’s input into recruiting a new CEO of the BHA is seen as crucial at a time when the British racing industry is under huge financial strain with betting turnover on the sport declining 9.7 per cent in the first half of 2024.
Warwick Barr
Dunshea’s promotion, albeit temporarily, continues Australian racing administrators’ long association with the BHA, which was formerly known as the British Horseracing Board.
Paul Bittar was BHA CEO from 2011 to 2015 and, before him, Greg Nichols ran the sport in Britain from 2002 to 2006.
