The most comprehensive review of British Racing ever undertaken has been assigned to a nine-strong Racing Review Committee chaired by BHB Chairman Peter Savill. It will include three other BHB Directors and the Chairman of the Levy Board (full details and biographies attached).

The Review, announced at the Annual General Meeting of the British Horseracing Board last month, will cover almost all areas of British Racing and its product and will last approximately nine months. The Committee will consult extensively with all those directly and indirectly involved in the sport and will gather views and reactions through a combination of research, interview and questionnaire.

Priority will be given to those issues which could be introduced as early as 2003 and an interim report on these matters will be made to the BHB Board no later than November.

However, many of the areas that the Committee will be looking into will require more time for proper evaluation and it is anticipated that they will be covered in a second report to the Board in the spring of 2003 with a view to implementation in 2004.

Peter Savill said today: “The dramatic improvement in British Racing’s finances and the pending abolition of the Levy Board require us to review the structure both of our industry and of our product. I am delighted so many able and knowledgeable individuals from all facets of the industry have been appointed to the Committee by the BHB Board. We are committed to recommending to the Board ways to make British Racing a more desirable product to all those involved in the sport whether directly or indirectly.

“We will also be looking for ways to create a more competitive and commercial environment for racecourses within a framework that allows British Racing to flourish and which balances fairly the interests of all parties in accordance with the responsibilities of BHB as the Governing Authority of British Racing”.

For further information, please contact Alan Delmonte, BHB Communications Manager, on 020 7343 3318

RACING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Peter Savill (Chairman)
BHB Chairman, Chairman of Plumpton racecourse, a Director of attheraces plc, an owner and a breeder. A former President of the Racehorse Owners’ Association, BHB nominee on the Horserace Betting Levy Board and Director of the Horserace Totalisator Board.

Rupert Arnold
Former trainer, now Chief Executive of the National Trainers’ Federation (NTF) and a Director of the Industry Committee (Horseracing) Limited representing the NTF.

Chris Deuters
Vice President of the Racehorse Owners Association and an owner-breeder. An owner for the past 11 years, currently with 20 horses in training.

Rob Hughes
Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board. Is also an owner and a debenture holder in the National Stud’s Breeders Clubs. A member of the Racehorse Owners Association and the Thoroughbred Breeders Association until his appointment as Levy Board Chairman.

Mark Kershaw
Managing Director of Newbury racecourse since January 1999. Formerly Manager and Clerk of the Course at Sandown Park and Epsom, Operations Director of the Tote Racecourse Division, General Manager at Ayr and Musselburgh racecourses and a Director of the Racecourse Association.

Rhydian Morgan-Jones
BHB Director and Chairman of the Industry Committee (Horseracing) Limited and the British Horseracing Training Board. Is also a breeder. Formerly Chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, founding Secretary of the Horseracing Advisory Council and Chairman of its Taxation Committee, Chairman of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents and Secretary of the Bloodstock and Racehorse Industries Confederation.

Greg Nichols
BHB Chief Executive, formerly General Manager of Racing Victoria and Chief Executive of the South Australian Thoroughbred Racing Authority. Has sat on the sub-committees of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), was Chairman of the ARF Race Series Committee and managed the Melbourne Cup.

David Oldrey
BHB Director, Deputy Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, President of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and a member of the Flat Pattern Panel. An owner since 1962 and breeder since 1972. Was Chairman of the Race Planning Committee from 1992 to 2000.

Julian Richmond-Watson
BHB Director, Jockey Club Steward, Chairman of the Race Planning Committee and a member of the Fixtures Allocation Group. Is also an owner. A former Chairman of Nottingham racecourse and the Epsom Race Committee.

RACING REVIEW COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. In the light of the significantly enhanced revenue streams secured for Racing in Great Britain (“British Racing”) and in order to maximise British Racing’s potential as a top-class national and international spectator sport and betting medium, which competes with other leisure attractions and betting opportunities, and, having regard particularly to the requirements of British Racing and the interests of all those directly and indirectly involved in the sport, to research, review and consult all interests (as appropriate) on:
   1. the structure and content of British Racing and its Product (Fixture List, Racing Programme, Integrity, Recruitment and Training and Racing Experience) including, but not limited to:-
      • the financial, administrative and governance structure
      • the size of the horse population
      • the size, shape and structure of the Fixture List
      • the method of allocating fixtures
      • the licensing of new racecourses
      • the level and structure of race entry charges
      • the structure and content of the racing programme
      • the sourcing, allocation and distribution of prize money and appearance money
      • Owners’ and Breeders’ Premiums and Breeders’ Prizes
      • general review of the composition and scope of integrity services
      • general review of industry recruitment and training
      • general review of relevant rules and orders
   2. the creation and use of pre-race and racing data
   3. the relationship between funding and the racing product
   4. the raising of income
   5. the distribution of income and the Capital Fund in a manner which is fair to all parties
2. To make recommendations in an interim report to the BHB Board no later than November 2002, in relation to each of the above specified matters.
3. In formulating its recommendations, to have due regard to all relevant competition law considerations.