About Us
The Licensing Team is directly responsible for licensing, permitting, and registering those who participate in the sport. This includes Trainers, Jockeys, Amateur Riders, Agents, Valets, and Equine Pools. Any individual who applies for a Licence, Permit or Registration must meet the relevant established criteria. Applications are accompanied by a set of Guidance Notes which outline the criteria for each application type and these Guidance Notes are available on each of the participant pages, together with further information on how to apply.
All applications are considered by the Licensing Team. An applicant’s experience and qualifications are taken into account, together with the suitability of the applicant. For example, for Licensed Trainers, the suitability considerations will include their business competence and financial planning, for Professional Jockeys, their honesty and integrity.
Once granted, individuals must continue to meet the required standards and expectations of BHA in order to remain licensed, permitted or registered. If it is believed that an individual no longer meets the suitability criteria, BHA may refer objections to individuals continuing to be licensed, permitted, or registered to the Licensing Committee.
Contact Us – [email protected] or call 0207 152 000.
The Stable Employee Register is managed and maintained by Weatherbys. For assistance, please call +44 (0)1933 304808 or email [email protected].
Meet the team
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- James Muir – James has been with the team since November 2018. James is directly responsible for Jump Jockeys, Jump Trainers, Permit Trainers and Agents.
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- Isaac Mathews – Isaac joined the team in March 2020. He is directly responsible for Flat Jockeys and Flat Trainers.
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- Harry New – Harry joined the team in September 2022. He is directly responsible for Amateur Jockeys, Valets, Equine Pools and any Visa / Immigration queries.
Licensing objectives
The BHA exercises its licensing function in accordance with the following objectives:
- Maintain high standards of welfare and safety for both our equine and human participants;
- Ensure the sport is fair, clean and free from corruption;
- Ensure there is a clear and transparent framework for access to participation in the sport; and
- Promote participant and public confidence in the sport by ensuring proper standards of conduct and competence.
Licensing committee
In certain circumstances, BHA may refer matters to the Licensing Committee for a decision on the merits, or an applicant may seek reassessment by the Licensing Committee in the event that BHA has decided to refuse an application.
The BHA’s Licensing Committee procedures allow fair and impartial consideration of matters referred to it, which may include a hearing for individuals with the Committee. In all instances, BHA will put forward its reasons for the refusal or the referral, together with any supporting documentation. The individual is then allowed a reasonable period of time to respond. Hearings take the form of a discussion led by the Licensing Committee and individuals can be legally represented.
The Licensing Committee will reach a decision based upon the evidence before it and provide accompanying reasons as soon as practicable thereafter.
Decisions of the Licensing Committee are final subject to relevant rights of appeal to the Appeal Board.
Full details regarding the determination of applications can be found in Section B (Licensing) of the Rules of Racing. Previous decisions of the Licensing Committee are detailed below.
