The BHA’s handicappers undertake to treat every horse fairly, with the highest level of integrity at all times, strictly on the merit of its form and using good handicapping practice. Members of the handicapping team are available to provide trainers with logical explanations for their decisions. The contact details of each handicapper is provided on Racing Admin.
In the event that a licensed trainer has a concern or complaint about a BHA handicapping decision, the BHA has put in place a process so that any decision can be independently reviewed. This document sets out that process, which will usually relate to a horse’s handicap rating or the refusal by the handicapper to allot a rating to a horse.
Handicapping review process
Step 1: Trainer contacts the relevant handicapper
The trainer should establish which handicapper is responsible for the particular decision. This information can be accessed here.
The trainer should then contact the relevant handicapper via email or phone and explain their concern(s). The handicapper will then review the horse’s rating, or any non-allocation of a rating, since the horse’s most recent performance.
Step 2: Trainer contacts the Head of Handicapping
If the trainer’s concerns are not addressed to their satisfaction, the next step is to approach the BHA’s Head of Handicapping: Dominic Gardiner-Hill.
The Head of Handicapping will discuss the situation with the trainer having reviewed their case from first principles.
Step 3: Trainer launches an Appeal
If the trainer’s concerns have not been addressed to their satisfaction via Steps 1 and 2, it is at this stage that they can launch a handicapping appeal.
Any handicapping appeal will be considered by the handicapping ombudsman. If the ombudsman is unavailable or, for whatever reason including any potential conflict of interest, has to excuse themselves from a particular appeal, the ombudsman’s deputy will consider the appeal. The ombudsman and the deputy ombudsman are independent of the BHA.
To launch an appeal, the trainer must complete a simple form: Handicapping appeal form – The British Horseracing Authority, following which the ombudsman can commence the appeal process.
The handicapping week involves all weekly handicapping changes being published at 7am on Tuesday. For the results of the appeal to be included within the current handicapping week, the trainer must have completed and submitted the form by no later than 5pm on Wednesday.
Prior to the appeal commencing, a charge of £225 plus VAT will be applied to the trainer’s racing account. This contributes to the costs of the ombudsman for hearing the appeal. For the avoidance of any doubt, the charge is applied whatever the outcome of the appeal.
Step 4: Ombudsman contacts the trainer and handicapper to understand their positions
The ombudsman will agree a date and time to speak with the trainer, with a view to understanding the reasons for their appeal. A separate conversation will take place between the ombudsman and handicapper, in which the ombudsman will seek to understand the handicapper’s approach to the matter under review. It is not anticipated that there will be a need for any further conversations although should the ombudsman wish to follow up any points with the trainer and/or the handicapper, they are permitted to do so.
The trainer may delegate the discussion with the ombudsman to the owner of the horse involved. Alternatively, and at the sole discretion of the ombudsman, the trainer may delegate the discussion to the owner’s racing manager. The ombudsman will only speak with one of these individuals.
For the avoidance of doubt, the trainer and handicapper will not be asked to provide written evidence as part of the appeal process. However, if they wish, either party is permitted to submit a single piece of written evidence prior to their conversation with the ombudsman. Any written evidence must be no more than 500 words. In the event that the evidence exceeds 500 words, it will be disregarded by the ombudsman.
Step 5: Adjudication by the Ombudsman
The ombudsman will consider the representations made by the trainer and the handicapper as part of reviewing all aspects of the case.
The BHA will notify the trainer of the ombudsman’s adjudication by the following Monday (at the latest).
If an appeal is successful, the ombudsman will adjust the horse’s rating – or allot that horse an initial rating – according to their adjudication. Any rating revision will be published the following Tuesday morning along with the weekly handicapping reassessments.
Whatever the outcome, the trainer will receive a summary of the written reasons for the adjudication from the ombudsman within seven days of being informed of the result of the appeal. These reasons will subsequently be published on the BHA website.
The Handicapping Ombudsman
David Cleary
HANDICAPPING OMBUDSMAN
David Cleary is the Handicapping Ombudsman. David first worked for Timeform in 1983, and, among many roles, he was the Editor of the Chasers & Hurdlers Annual for eight years. He continues to work for the organisation as a racecourse reporter.
He also worked for The Sportsman during its brief existence. As well having presented on Racing UK, David is currently the President of the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association.
Ian Heitman
DEPUTY OMBUDSMAN
Ian Heitman is the Deputy Ombudsman. Ian works for Racing Ahead and is an experienced form student, attending several race meetings every week. He currently writes primarily about two-year-olds but closely follows both codes.
Handicapping appeal form
Results of handicapping appeals
The results of previous handicapping appeals can be found below:
