ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HORSE WELFARE BOARD
Baroness Minette Batters has been appointed as Independent Chair of British racing’s Horse Welfare Board (HWB) effective from 1 July 2025, it has been confirmed today.
Baroness Batters brings to the post a wealth of knowledge and experience, including a strong reputation resulting from her work as President of the National Farmers Union, a position she held from 2018 to 2024. She was appointed in 2024 as a crossbench House of Lords peer.
A Director at Salisbury Racecourse, Baroness Batters also has a strong racing background, having enjoyed a successful career as an amateur jockey with racehorse trainers David Elsworth and James Toller. With more than thirty Point-to-Point winners to her name, she was also riding regularly on the British eventing circuit, competing up to advanced level. Minette continues to enjoy riding in her spare time and has experience of rehoming and rehabilitating retired Thoroughbreds.
Her appointment follows a 2024 cross-industry review of the HWB which recommended that the board’s independent membership should increase from two independent members, including the Chair, to four independent members, including the Chair.
Baroness Batters will replace current Chair Barry Johnson, whose term will come to an end at the end of June. She will also play an immediate role in the recruitment of three further independent members.
Once the recruitment and induction processes are complete, the HWB will work together with the industry to develop the next iteration of the sport’s welfare strategy. This follows the completion of the 2021-2025 strategy, “A Life Well Lived”, with a number of significant projects having been initiated or completed in this time. Projects span the core pillars of safety, quality of life, lifetime responsibility and trust, many with the support of the Racing Foundation and the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
Baroness Minette Batters said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be appointed as the new Chair of the HWB. Horse welfare will always be fundamental to racing’s success, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Barry Johnson for his leadership and expertise as the outgoing Chair.
“I was riding out for David Elsworth when I rode my first Point-to-Point winner, on the same day as Rhyme ‘N’ Reason won the Grand National in 1988. I bring a lifetime of lived experience, passion and commitment to horse welfare and I very much look forward to working with this expert board as we seek to deliver a life well lived for all Thoroughbreds in Britain.”
David Jones, Interim Chair of the British Horseracing Authority, said: “It is a testament to the importance of the HWB, and the work it has delivered so far, that it was able to attract such an impressive field of applicants for the role of Independent Chair, of which Minette was the standout candidate.
“Her immense pedigree on rural and political issues combined with her knowledge and background in horseracing make her an ideal Independent Chair, and her appointment is a clear statement regarding the seriousness with which racing takes its welfare responsibilities.
“As we welcome Minette, it is also right that we take the opportunity to pay tribute to the work of Barry Johnson during his tenure as Independent Chair. Barry is passionate about the welfare of Thoroughbreds and his contribution has brought about meaningful change as we seek to provide the best possible life for all Thoroughbreds in Britain.”
About the Horse Welfare Board
British Racing’s goal has always been to lead the way in setting the best welfare standards in the world, both on and off the racecourse. The Horse Welfare Board was established in 2019 and has been responsible for overseeing the single overarching strategy for equine welfare in the racing industry. The five-year strategy, “A life well-lived”, was launched in February 2020. It considers the whole of the racing industry, including sectors not currently fully regulated by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and looks across the lifetime of all horses bred for racing. Multiple workstreams are underway covering projects ranging from traceability, training, obstacle improvement and development, through to welfare funding. The strategy can be read in full HERE.
