Lord Charles Allen has assumed his role as the new chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), promising to lead change in the industry and backing the decision to stage a one-day strike on September 10.
Allen was initially due to take up his role on June 1, but his appointment was delayed as as he negotiated changes to make the BHA's board independent of racecourses and the sport's participants.
He said he wants to turn British racing into “a modern commercial and cultural powerhouse” and backed next Wednesday's racing being cancelled in protest of proposed betting tax hike.
“I am delighted the industry is coming together on September 10 to say 'Axe the Racing Tax'. It is an historic step to cancel all racing on this date, but this will help us to explain just how concerned we are for the sport on many levels,” he said.
“Horse racing is a sport for everyone, not just for the few. There are 85,000 people dependent directly and indirectly on racing. The proposed changes would not only negatively impact many communities both rural and urban but would reduce our ability to be a world leader and the opportunity to have inward investment in the sector.”
“Ensuring sustainable finances is essential if we are to support our participants, our workforce, our horses and our racecourses, and continue to engage our fans, owners, customers and the betting public.
He said he wanted British racing to be a sport that commands attention on the global stage, and attracts new audiences, supports its people, and continues to sets the standard for the care of the horse.
“With the right governance and ambition, I believe this is possible and I look forward to working across the sector to achieve this vision,” he said.
“I am sincerely grateful to the board of the BHA and its stakeholders that they agreed that change should start at the top and that we should have an independent board where everyone is focused on putting horse racing first rather than representing a vested interest.”
