The BHA Podcast features interviews with senior leaders within the organisation, as well as stories of the work of those who make racing happen every day. Hosted by broadcaster Nick Lightfoot, it’s available to listen to and subscribe to now on Spotify, as well as Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Audible and Acast.
Listeners are encouraged to share their own questions at [email protected], which in future episodes will be put directly to the relevant BHA figure to provide answers as often as is practicably possible.
LISTEN NOW: 15. Cheltenham reflections, training fees credits and the D&I strategy launch
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In a bumper new 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.
LISTEN AGAIN: Episode 14 – Brant Dunshea confirmed as permanent BHA CEO
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In his first interview since being confirmed as the BHA’s permanent Chief Executive, Brant Dunshea joined Nick Lightfoot to share his hopes for the future of the sport and reflect on the departure of Lord Charles Allen as BHA Chair.
LISTEN AGAIN: Episode 13 – Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards 2026, sponsored by Godolphin
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Join Nick Lightfoot for all the action from the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin. This episode features live reaction straight from The Pavillion at Ascot Racecourse, where the star-studded ceremony took place on Monday 23 February.
We caught up with BHA Chief Executive Brant Dunshea, Chair of the Judging Panel Nick Luck, host Ed Chamberlin and Raceday TV’s Frankie Foster before speaking to the winners on the night. There’s even a guest appearance by Welsh boxing legend Joe Calzaghe. Congratulations to Freddie Wilks, Louisa Allen, Kieran Kourdache, James Goddard, Derek Snaith and Hayley Clements.
Generously sponsored by Godolphin and organised by the BHA, in partnership with Racing TV, Racing Post and Ascot Racecourse Supports, the awards recognise and celebrate the people at the heart of British racing and breeding.
LISTEN AGAIN: Episode 12 – Brant Dunshea reflects on an extraoridinary year for British racing
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BHA CEO Brant Dunshea joined host Nick Lightfoot for the final episode of the year to reflect on an extraordinary 12 months for British racing.
LISTEN AGAIN: Episode 11 – Looking ahead on racing and back on an extraordinary investigation
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In a busy episode of the BHA Podcast, host Nick Lightfoot is joined by Richard Wayman and Tom Byrne who stop by to reflect on a busy 2025 for their Racing Department, look ahead to 2026 and pick out their on-track highlights of the year.
BHA integrity bosses Aja Hall and John Burgess discuss the extraordinary Hillsin investigation following its recent conclusion.
LISTEN AGAIN: Budget 2025 – Instant Reaction from BHA HQ
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Join host Nick Lightfoot at the BHA’s office in London, where Chief Executive Brant Dunshea and Director of Public Affairs Greg Swift give their immediate reaction to the 2025 Budget, in which Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that racing would be exempt from a betting duty increase.
LISTEN AGAIN: Breaking news – Non-runners in Jumps races
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The BHA Podcast returned with Episode 9, this time breaking some BHA news, after two special editions on the road at Seven Barrows and Westminster.
Shaun Parker, BHA Head of Stewarding, joined host Nick Lightfoot to deliver news that Stewards will have new powers to declare horses non-runners at the start of Jumps races from 1 October. They discussed what the changes mean and in what circumstances the new rule could be enacted.
Sticking with the Jumps, Tom Byrne stopped in to discuss the package of measures announced last week for the forthcoming season – and responded to some pointed criticism from Ruby Walsh about a new rule that would have seen the 2025 Triumph Hurdle winner, Poniros, unable to run in the race had it been in place at the time.
Finally, the reigning Stud Award winner Kelly Stevens told Nick what winning the award meant to her at the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin.
LISTEN AGAIN: From Westminster – Axe The Racing Tax
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On an extraordinary and historic day for racing, The BHA Podcast came to you from Westminster.
With all fixtures today rescheduled, racing’s leaders headed to the heart of Government to share the #AxeTheRacingTax message with a single voice – and this episode took you inside the event to hear from a number of key attendees including Brant Dunshea, Louie French MP, Richard Johnson, Nick Luck, John Gosden, Dan Skelton, Sarah Guest and Greg Swift.
For more information go to axetheracingtax.com.
LISTEN AGAIN: Special edition from Seven Barrows: Launch of TIEAs 2026
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In this special edition of The BHA Podcast, we celebrate the launch of the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, with a trip to Seven Barrows.
The 2025 Employee of the Year Simone Meloni told host Nick Lightfoot how life has been for him since his victory in February, while his boss Nicky Henderson reflects on the impact of the awards on his yard as a whole – and gives a suggestion for how Simone might tackle his roll as a judge this year!
Also joining host Nick Lightfoot are the BHA’s James Giblett and Jemima Beare, to discuss the BHA’s role in delivering the awards and what makes a strong nomination.
LISTEN AGAIN: Special episode – #AxeTheRacingTax recap
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It’s time for racing to come together to tell Government to #AxeTheRacingTax. In this special recap episode, we offered reminders from previous episodes of why this campaign is stepping up a gear.
Listen again: Episode 5 – #AxeTheRacingTax campaign update and the Development Programme at 35
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Greg Swift, the BHA’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, and Head of Policy and Advocacy, Victoria Morgan, joined Nick Lightfoot to discuss their latest attempt to lobby the Government on betting tax and we also checked in on the British Horseracing Development Programme – now in its 35th year – which got underway in Newmarket recently.
Nick sat down with Zoe Elliott, the BHA’s Head of Careers Marketing and Recruitment, to discuss how the Programme works, its goals and successes.
Listen again: Episode 4 – Harmonisation of betting duty and weighing room upgrade work
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The BHA Podcast returned with Episode 4, focusing on two issues that have made headlines in that week.
Acting CEO Brant Dunshea and Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Greg Swift, joined host Nick Lightfoot to discuss the threat posed to racing by proposals to harmonise tax rates on sports and casino betting products.
Brant stayed on to reflect on the BHA’s issuing this week of deadlines for the upgrading of weighing room facilities.
Listen again: Episode 3 — Aintree reflections and more with Brant Dunshea and James Given
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On episode three of The BHA Podcast, Nick Lightfoot was again joined by Acting CEO Brant Dunshea, who discussed Britain’s weighing rooms, use of the GoingStick and his thoughts following an eventful Grand National festival.
The BHA’s Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, James Given, then stopped by for a deeper dive into the events which lead to the death of Celebre D’Allen following the 2025 Grand National, as well as to reflect on his time in his job and hopes for the future.
Listen again: Episode 2 — Cheltenham and Aintree plus Richard Wayman
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The BHA Podcast returned for a second episode as the Grand National Festival at Aintree neared.
Acting CEO Brant Dunshea joined host Nick Lightfoot to discuss the National Trainers Federation AGM. Nick then sat down with Director of Racing Richard Wayman to reflect on racing’s performance in 2024, consider how the 2026 fixture list may look and ask whether the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival should be looked at.
Finally, following a number of false starts at the recent Cheltenham Festival, Nick asked the BHA’s Head of Stewarding, Shaun Parker, for his views on events at Prestbury Park and asked whether he has any concerns heading into Aintree.
Listen again: Episode 1 — Racing’s political engagement with Brant Dunshea
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First up to face Nick’s questions were Greg Swift and Victoria Morgan, the BHA’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs and Head of Policy & Advocacy respectively. In a wide-ranging interview, they discussed the impact of affordability checks, levy reform and the art of lobbying in Westminster.
Acting CEO Brant Dunshea also stopped by to tell Nick what he sees as the biggest threats to racing in the coming years, reflecting on his own experience since taking on his new position and also shared some memories about the life and legacy of the late former BHA Chair, Joe Saumarez Smith.
Finally, we took a look back at last month’s Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin.
Trailer – why are the BHA doing a podcast?
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Host Nick Lightfoot speaks to Robin Mounsey, the BHA’s Head of Communications, about the new podcast from the British Horseracing Authority.
