Trainer Emmet Mullins has revealed that Aintree hero Noble Yeats is being targeted at the bold double of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and retaining his Grand National crown this spring.

The County Carlow-based trainer confirmed the horse is “definitely” being aimed at the Randox Grand National, adding that he “cannot see any reason why we shouldn’t fancy our chances once again”.

“We haven’t found the ceiling for him yet,” he said.

Mr Mullins’ stable star, who amateur Sam Waley-Cohen partnered to a fairytale 50/1 victory in the 2022 Aintree showpiece on his final ride, has won two of his three starts this season.

The now eight-year-old Yeats son, owned by Sam’s father Robert Waley-Cohen, was pulled up on his first start this season at Auteuil (15 October). But he followed up with a Listed victory at Wexford in October and returned to Aintree in December to take the Grade Two Many Clouds, run on the Mildmay Course, with this week’s H&H interview star Sean Bowen in the saddle for both successes.

“After his performance in the Many Clouds last time he won’t be too well looked after in the weights but with a horse like him he grows in that scenario and I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t fancy our chances [in the Grand National] once again,” said Mr Mullins.

“The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is a stayers’ race and I would compare him to something like Hedgehunter who won a National and was second in a Gold Cup afterwards. Hopefully he’ll take his chance in the Gold Cup.”

He added: “The Gold Cup was on the radar this year from the get-go. I hadn’t realised until I heard on a programme over the weekend that only two horses have won the Gold Cup and Grand National in the past. Luckily for me and the horse that won’t register with us!”

That elite club has just two members – Golden Miller, who completed the double in 1934, and dual Gold Cup champion L’Escargot, who took Cheltenham glory in 1970 and 1971 before adding the 1975 Grand National win to his CV.

Connections are eyeing a trip to Lingfield Park for the Fleur de Lys Chase (22 January), before heading to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup (17 March).

Mr Mullins admitted the 2022 Grand National victory still “hasn’t really sunk in”.

“It was a long preparation [for Aintree]. We had it planned from a long way out to target the Grand National and everything went to plan. I suppose at the time of the weights he was one of the fancied horses at the prices,” he said.

“When he ran [finishing ninth in the Ultima Handicap Chase] at Cheltenham it was Sam’s first ride on him and while everything didn’t go to plan it might have been the making of the horse being in a big-field handicap chase at Cheltenham.

“His price drifted on the back of that, which made him go under the radar, but we never lost hope or confidence. I remember I explained to Sam the night before the race that if I had the last two weeks back then there was nothing I would have changed as everything had gone to plan – it was all very straightforward.

“Up to the week of the race, I was unaware of the trends and statistics but I never had any worries about his jumping or experience. He came from the point-to-point field and finished second first time out before we bought him. He is shrewd, smart and economical with his jumping – not exuberant or anything like that but great at getting from A to B.”

Reflecting on the 2022 Grand National, Mr Mullins said: “I watched the race on the right-hand side of the tunnel facing out on to the track. I was completely on my own and that was plan A for me – I was happy!

“I am fairly sure looking back on it that I was watching the wrong horse for the first part of the race down to the Canal Turn and I still wasn’t that impressed when I saw where he actually was.

“By the time he got to the water jump, passing in front of me and heading out on the second circuit I thought he was in position A – winners of Nationals all come this little pocket in the field and that was the first blow I took – I am not sure about the horse, but I just had to take a breath to gather my thoughts and myself together.

“From then on it was just plain sailing – he jumped brilliant. At Valentine’s or the one after he had a little peck but honestly that was the only worry in the whole race. Sam was brilliant on him – to be able to get the horse in his comfort zone and travelling and the confidence to sit and wait crossing the Melling Road to fill him up… the rest is history.”

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THE Jockey Club has ended its agreement to run Blenheim Horse Trials two years into its five-year contract.

The 2022 event was the last year the British four-star ran under The Jockey Club banner, owing to the “current economic climate”. The Jockey Club confirmed to H&H that there was a break clause in the contract. The news is a blow for eventing. Riders had voiced strong support for The Jockey Club’s involvement in eventing and the opportunities it could bring, from both a sport and a business perspective.

British Eventing (BE) chief executive Helen West told H&H it is “really sad” that organising Blenheim has not worked out for The Jockey Club.

“We are concerned from BE’s perspective for the sport, because it is such a key fixture,” she said.

Ms West added that she has a call planned with Roy Cox, Blenheim Estate’s managing director, today (Tuesday, 8 November) to make a plan.

“I don’t want to lose it as a fixture and my understanding is that the palace doesn’t want to lose the event, they want to have it there,” she said.

The next step would be to find someone to run the event.

Ms West said she will speak to the palace first to make a plan, before any tender process, gathering expressions of interest or approaching those who put their names forward to run Blenheim previously. She added that any tender process would be transparent. The dates have already been submitted to the FEI calendar for 2023, and approved.

“We are keen to keep it and to find a way of doing so. There’s lots of options to explore,” she said, stressing the importance of the event.

“It’s important in terms of that pathway to five-star. We only have three CCI4*-Ls in the country. And that’s not to mention the eight- and nine-year-old championships, which is a key four-star short fixture for those horses. It’s a important fixture for us, for our calendar.”

Mr Cox said it has “been a pleasure” working with The Jockey Club over the past two years, which has “fostered enduring relationships, beyond the event itself”.

“I would like to thank everyone at The Jockey Club and all those connected to the event, for all their hard work getting the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials back to a world-class event after the pandemic,” he said. “While we are sad to say goodbye, we look forward to many more international horse trials on the estate.”

The Oxfordshire horse trials was run by BE prior to The Jockey Club. In August 2020, BE announced it would no longer be organising the event, which had already been cancelled that year owing to Covid. The reason given at the time was that the BE board reassessed the organisation structure of the event, and the decision was made that BE would “focus on the delivery of core sport”.

In December 2020, the trustees of Blenheim Palace announced that The Jockey Club had been awarded a five-year contract as Blenheim Horse Trials organisers, following a competitive tender process.

Ian Renton, The Jockey Club’s managing director of Jockey Club Racecourses West, said that the current economic climate is “unfortunately going to have an impact on us all”.

“We have therefore made the difficult decision to end our contract with the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials,” he added.

“We are proud to have led the way in eventing in Britain as we emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, but we now feel the time is right to concentrate on our core mission of acting for the long-term benefit of British horseracing, with our profits being reinvested into that sport.

“Going forward, The Jockey Club will continue to work with the wider equestrian world. With Aintree International Equestrian Centre, we are able to offer a world-class facility, and we will continue enthusiastically to support the invaluable work of Retraining of Racehorses across all of our venues.

“I’d like to thank the teams at Blenheim Palace and British Eventing for all their support. It’s a wonderful event and I wish the next organisers all the best.”

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The stars and unsung heroes of jump racing have been celebrated at the McCoy Awards.

More than 350 guests attended the Jockey Club’s annual ceremony, at Cheltenham racecourse on 7 October, to recognise achievements on and off the track. The awards take into account performances from the 2020–21 National Hunt season across all Jockey Club racecourses that host jump racing.

Harry Skelton was named leading professional jockey with 152 winners. Jack Tudor was crowned leading conditional jockey and Harriet Tucker leading amateur.

Harry said it was “very special” to have his name on the trophy.

“I feel very lucky to win such a lovely award,” he said. “I’m really excited for the new campaign, especially as we’ve been quieter than usual over the summer. I’m ready to go now and we’ve got a lot of horses, and the quality is rising all the time, so I’m in a very lucky position.”

The leading trainer award for those with 40 horses or more went to 11-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls, while his Ladbrokes King George VI Chase winner Frodon was named leading chaser. The leading hurdler was Bannixtown Glory, trained by Donald McCain, and the Nicky Henderson-trained Shiskin was named leading novice chaser.

Stuart Edmunds took the leading trainer title for 39 horses or fewer. JP McManus took the leading owner title for four horses or more, while the ownership group of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason and John and Lisa Hales took the honours for three horses or fewer. Jaimie Duff, who works for trainer Lucinda Russell, won the stable person of the year award.

The remaining awards were decided by a panel of judges comprising ITV Racing lead presenter Ed Chamberlin, Grade One-winning jockey Katie Walsh, the Racing Post’s Chris Cook, Cheltenham racecourse director Zara Tindall, The Jockey Club’s southwest head of racing and Cheltenham clerk of course Simon Claisse, and Sir AP McCoy, who the awards are named after.

Rachael Blackmore took the “ride of the season” award for her historic win on Minella Times in the Grand National. One of Rachael’s Cheltenham Festival-winning rides, the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho, was awarded horse performance of the season, while the Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle won horse of the season, having won all 12 of her season starts with Rachael.

The outstanding contribution award went to four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson, who announced his retirement in April after 3,800 wins. Mr Claisse, who is stepping down after more than 20 years, received the judges’ choice award.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Early plans for Blenheim Horse Trials’ future fixtures are in the pipeline, following the first year with The Jockey Club at the helm.

The organisation signed a five-year deal at the end of 2020 to run the Oxfordshire event, which comprises the CCI4*-L feature class and the eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S championship.

Ideas on how to strengthen the long-format cross-country course, where 18 finished inside the time – 17 jumping clear, one with 11 penalties for activating a frangible device – have already been mooted by designer David Evans.

“I always knew the water was going to be weaker than normal [owing to no dew pond this year], but on the whole I was pretty happy with the sport and how people rode,” said Mr Evans, adding he has plans for another water complex in 2022.

The 2021 CCI4*-L course had a 68.2% clear rate, with 60 of the 88 starters making it home on clean jumping sheets.

“I think once we get the water right, it will give a bigger feel,” Mr Evans said, adding that opting for the best ground on the south lawn also changed his intended plan for the arrowhead question at 9ab.

“But on the whole I’ve been pleased, the faults were all over the place,” he said.

“I think we got the ground so good that it ran a little bit faster, so we had maybe a few more than we should have within the time. If we’d had rain [on CCI4*-L cross-country day], with the competition being over six hours and [around] 6,000 metres, it would have been a totally different story. There are a few places where the ground is a little bit deeper than the rest – that’s what we’ve got to take in mind as well.”

‘Excited for the future’

Riders voiced strong support for The Jockey Club’s new involvement in eventing and the opportunities that brings for the sport.

“It’s very exciting to have The Jockey Club on board and I think all of us eventers are really excited for the future, what it might hold and how the sport hopefully will progress in a more professional way,” said Izzy Taylor.

Oliver Townend echoed Izzy’s enthusiasm, adding he hoped Blenheim would serve enough of a spectacle from both the public and business point of view that The Jockey Club will be inspired to “take over some more big events”.

Nicola Wilson and Pippa Funnell were among the others to share that excitement.

“Fair play to them – this year it’s all new to them and I think it’s a great team and really exciting for the sport, particularly if we can bring some of the sort of racing crowd this way as well,” said Pippa. “I think it has to be a positive thing when you link up different horse disciplines, so that’s really exciting.”

There were some teething issues, with the lengthy delays on roads in the surrounding area owing to heavy visitor traffic on Saturday headlining these.

“While we were blessed with a huge crowd of more than 20,000 spectators here on Saturday enjoying the sunshine, the brilliant cross-country action and the spectacular surroundings of Blenheim Palace, we are aware of some issues, particularly around traffic flow, which we will address for next year,” said event director Ian Renton, regional managing director for the Jockey Club’s west region.

Mr Renton thanked his team, Blenheim owner the Duke of Marlborough and all involved for an “amazing four days of absolutely top-class horse sport”.

“We have learnt so much from this first event; it is a fantastic occasion and one which we hope we can improve and add to in the future,” he added.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club has been announced as the new title sponsor of the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) national championships 2021 in a three-year deal.

The championships will be held at Aintree Equestrian Centre on 26-29 August and feature classes for showing, dressage, and showjumping, culminating with the crowning of the Jockey Club supreme champion during Saturday’s evening performance. Entries are open until 1 August for the 77 classes at the championships, which in 2019 attracted 940 entries from 326 retrained racehorses.

RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot said the organisation is delighted that RoR’s relationship with the Jockey Club will enter a new phase.

“After the cancellation of last year’s event due to the pandemic it will be wonderful to be back at Aintree in August,” she said.

“Furthermore, in the aftermath of the Jockey Club staging the Cazoo Derby at Epsom Downs, the country’s most prestigious Flat race that identifies the cream of the crop from each generation of thoroughbreds, it is apt to be announcing the Jockey Club’s sponsorship of an event that celebrates the alternative career paths taken by horses not of the calibre of Derby or Oaks winners.”

Sulekha Varma, North West head of racing for Jockey Club racecourses, said: “The RoR national championships are always a fantastic event, and we are delighted to be welcoming them back to Aintree racecourse equestrian centre this year, particularly as the new event partner.

“Everyone at the Jockey Club is proud to stage championships and the event is evidence of the course’s year round commitment to promoting horse welfare. We are really looking forward to the four days in August, and hopefully we will see a few familiar equine stars in attendance!”

A spokesman for RoR added the national championships play an important role in promoting the versatility of retired racehorses.

“In 2019 seven-year-old gelding Mumford was crowned supreme champion just 13 months months after leaving training. The remarkable transformation was made possible due to retraining from rider Collette McGoldrick and Mumford’s own adaptability. In winning the title, Mumford followed the footsteps of previous supreme champions Jack The Giant, Beware Chalk Pit, Wild West and What of It,” said the spokesman.

Hambro Sport Horses

JC and Lexi Hambro’s Hambro Sport Horses has been announced as title sponsors of Burgham International Horse Trials (28 July – 1 August) and of the event’s principal CCI4*-S class.

The Northumberland event also has international classes at CCI2*-S and CCI3*-S and is home to the 2021 British National Eventing Championship classes at open, intermediate, novice and restricted novice level.

Hambro Sport Horses aims to pair British riders with the next generation of British horses, and this year launched the Hambro Scholarship, to assist young riders in the eventing world. The business also owns eventers with riders including Tom Jackson, Alicia Hawker and Becky Heappey.

“We’re thrilled to be both the title sponsor and the sponsor of the CCI-S 4* at Burgham International Horse Trials 2021,” said JC and Lexi.

“Burgham has a very special place in our hearts as Lexi was born in Northumberland and we continue to visit the area often.

“We are excited to work with the talented team that has made Burgham what it is today and look forward to sharing the magic of Northumberland and such a special event.”

Burgham’s event director Martyn Johnson added: “We are really looking forward to working with Hambro Sport Horses, and are very grateful for their support. Burgham is highly popular with the country’s top riders, and our partnership with Hambro Sport Horses will help us reward them and the owners of their horses with boosted prize money and better hospitality facilities.

“In 2020 Burgham had to take place behind closed doors, in accordance with government policies surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we are thrilled to be able to welcome spectators back this year to enjoy the top-class sport and a great variety of tradestands, bars and delicious, locally produced food.”

Howden

The insurance broker, which specialises in equestrian and racing needs, has become an official partner of Ascot racecourse.

The partnership will run from 2021 to 2025 and will offer Howden extensive branding across the racecourse on all Ascot racedays, including the five days of Royal Ascot (15-19 June), with an elevated presence on the final day this year.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Howden and very excited to work together across our global network and on all our racedays throughout the year, including Royal Ascot,” said Ascot racecourse commercial director Felicity Barnard.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the team at Howden for their long-term commitment to the racecourse and look forward to the wider benefits this will bring to British racing as a whole. I’m confident this will be a long and happy partnership.”

Howden founder David Howden, who is also founder and president of Cornbury House Horse Trials, added: “We are thrilled to partner such a well-regarded global sporting brand that, like us, has a strong and proud British heritage coupled with an extensive international reach.

“Ascot presents a unique opportunity to invest in a sport we love, in an industry with which Howden has a rich history of working. This partnership will embed us further in the equine and wider sport and entertainment community enabling us to better understand and respond to the risk challenges it faces.

“We’re lining up a fantastic calendar of opportunities to engage our people, our clients and our partners – from formal race meetings to relaxed family days. We can’t wait to kick off the partnership with Royal Ascot next week.”

JSW 4 Jumps

Showjump manufacturer JSW 4 Jumps has partnered with training smartphone app Equipole — The Polework App.

Coach Leanne Cunningham developed the app during the first Covid-19 national lockdown as restrictions halted her busy teaching schedule.

“I had been wanting to develop a polework-specific app for a couple of years to provide unique polework layouts and exercises as well as a library of helpful tips and coach notes to help both horse and rider get the best out of their polework session,” she said. “I think it’s easy to see that polework is my passion! I think that it is the most versatile tool that can be introduced no matter what the discipline or level someone rides at. Having run polework clinics/lessons for numerous years, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have the right tools for the job.”

She added: “I am absolutely delighted to be working with the amazing team at JSW 4 Jumps – their products are not only fun and user friendly but reliable and safe – what more could you ask for?!”

Emma Watkinson, managing director at JSW 4 Jumps said: “ Leanne is so driven and passionate about all things polework – the fact that the Equipole app shot to number one in the download charts on both Google and Apple is testament to this – we are the perfect partnership.”

TopSpec

The equestrian feed specialists is continuing its support of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS, 6-10 October) as the showing arena sponsor.

TopSpec has supported the show for more than 16 years and took over sponsorship of the arena in 2016.

The week of showing in the TopSpec arena culminates in the preliminary judging for the supreme horse and pony of the year championships, with the supreme champions announced during the Sunday evening performance.

“I join many of our customers in feeling excited about the return of HOYS in October 2021,” said TopSpec nutrition director Nicola Tyler.

“They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, well, TopSpec’s heart was fond of HOYS already so we cannot wait to return. Showing at HOYS is the annual pinnacle every exhibitor wishes to be part of. Whether you show, watch fabulous horses and ponies, socialise with like-minded friends, shop, eat or just have a whale of a time the ‘end of term party’ atmosphere is there for everyone to soak up. We are delighted to once again sponsor the TopSpec arena where most of the showing takes place and we also enjoy having a trade stand nearby where we can guide clients towards the best choices for their horses and ponies.”

Continued below…

How to keep (and lose) a sponsor

Major title sponsors for Hickstead and Bicton, plus charity partner for Royal Windsor

The Royal International Horse Show has welcomed Prenetics as its new title sponsor for 2021, plus more partnership news

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BETTALIFE

The nutrition specialist has partnered with British Eventing and EquiRatings to provide statistics on the support.

Company director Ryan Millar said: “We’re very proud to be partnering with

British Eventing and EquiRatings in delivering the key data from some of the best events in the UK.

“Our passion for equestrian sport really has been one of the core company values from conception, it’s great to be able to support all levels of eventing and celebrate the hard work of the incredible British Eventing talent.”

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Tickets for Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (16-19 September) are now on sale.

The 2021 event, featuring the CCI4*-L and the CCI4*-S for eight- and nine-year-olds, will be the Jockey Club’s first as organisers. British Eventing formerly organised the horse trials but stepped down in August 2020, and following a competitive tender process, the Jockey Club was awarded a five-year contract.

“The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is one of the crown jewels of the eventing calendar,” said a Jockey Club spokesman.

“The pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 event and this year’s competition will be subject to Government protocols and safety guidelines in place at the time.”

Advanced general admission tickets start at £13 for the dressage on Thursday and Friday, £23 for the cross-country on Saturday, and £19 for the showjumping on Sunday. Club admission tickets, which include access to the club enclosure, start at £25 for the dressage, £40 for the cross-country, and £25 for the showjumping. Other ticketing options include a club admission weekly pass with grandstand seat for the showjumping for £100. Hospitality packages are also on offer.

“In line with the admission policy at all venues operated by The Jockey Club, those aged 17 years and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult,” said a Jockey Club spokesman.

“This is a significant boost for families attending the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials as previously only under-12s were admitted for free.”

Jockey Club regional managing director Ian Renton said the organisation was “delighted” to secure the five-year contract to organise the horse trials.

“Lots of work has already taken place to ensure that we will deliver an event to be proud of,” he said.

Continued below…

The Jockey Club to organise key British Eventing fixture

Jockey club regional managing director Ian Renton said it was “truly a great honour” to be awarded the five-year contract

Start of new era for Blenheim Horse Trials as British Eventing steps away

‘We have all loved seeing competitors of all levels enjoying their sport, and their owners proud of what they and

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

“We take a significant step forward with the launch of the website and tickets going on sale. The website contains a wealth of information for those interested in attending along with a wide range of ticketing options to suit all tastes and budgets. With those aged 17 and under now admitted for free, the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials offers excellent value for a family day out in a spectacular setting.”

The spokesman added that the event offers “much more than eventing” and throughout the course of the four days an “array” of activities for all ages will be on offer, including a wide selection of trade stands. Dogs are also welcome and there will be dog agility displays on Saturday and Sunday.

To buy tickets visit: https://bpiht.co.uk/

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

In the nearly five years since major horse and rider road safety campaigns have been launched, a great deal of progress has been made. H&H speaks to campaigners and riders to find out what is being done, and needs to be done, to keep us safer.

COLLECTING evidence and reporting are vital if equestrians want to see real improvements to road safety, riders have been told.

It is now close to five years since the Pass Wide and Slow and the British Horse Society’s (BHS) Dead Slow campaigns were launched, so what has happened in that time and what action is needed now to push road safety forwards?

The statistics are shocking, with 1,037 incidents reported to the BHS’s horseincidents.org.uk site for 2019/20, particularly when these are compared to the fact an overall total of 2,000 were reported in five years between 2011 and 2016.

While the BHS’s log stats now include incidents involving semi-feral New Forest and Dartmoor ponies (127), this does little to dent the significance of the rise.

Yet campaigners are hopeful increased awareness of why and how to report incidents is the real reason behind the year-on-year spikes.

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H the charity launched the Dead Slow campaign in March 2016 owing to the “alarming increase in road incidents reported”.

“The campaign’s aim is to educate drivers on how to pass horses safely on the road and raise awareness of the issues that horse riders face,” he said.

He added that 2020 has been the campaign’s “most successful year so far”, with more than 100 pieces of press coverage reaching the non-equestrian audience as well as the horse world.

“Our engagement on social media increased and we created short videos with partners, including Cycling UK and the Warwickshire police and crime commissioner, to show the different viewpoints of road safety,” he added. “More than 10,000 people requested our Dead Slow car stickers, which is incredible and we know this will create even more awareness of the Dead Slow messages.”

There is no denying the roads are getting busier. Statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT) show there were an estimated 32.9m cars on Britain’s roads in 2019, an increase of around 1.7m from 2015. Figures from the British Equestrian Trade Association survey also show the number of regular riders has grown from 1.3m in 2015 to 1.8m in 2019.

“We know that only one in 10 incidents are reported, so we are continuing to encourage all horse riders to report incidents to our horse incidents website,” said Mr Hiscox.

“This is part of the reason our statistics have increased every year; more people are aware that they can report incidents to us. The more incidents that are reported to us, the stronger the voice to lobby government and work with local authorities. This year, we have worked in partnership with a number of councils and installed Dead Slow road signs in hotspot areas.

“Most riders do not wish to be on the road in the first place. We are continuing our efforts to protect and increase access to bridleways, which provide a vital safe space for riders to do what they love.”

He added that the BHS has still managed to “do so much for road safety” despite the challenges of 2020. This includes collaborating with other vulnerable road user groups and the DfT in a review of the Highway Code.

“Next year, we will build on the successes we’ve had this year. We will be going out and continuing some of the other activities we usually do to support road safety,” said Mr Hiscox.

“We will deliver more driver training for companies, attend motoring events, partner the police to hold close pass operations, as well as our road and rider safety events.”

Road rage

NEW research into factors associated with collisions and horse fatalities on UK roads found a “considerable proportion” of equestrians reported experiencing road rage as well as vehicles passing close and fast.

The study, by Danica Pollard of the BHS, found close passing distances were linked with higher odds of a collision, while excess speed was connected to a higher chance of a horse fatality. It was published in peer-reviewed journal Animals (15 December).

“Although the odds of collision-related incidents have reduced over time, driver awareness of how to pass horses safely on the roads in the UK is still lacking,” it concluded, adding that horse fatalities and rider or handler injury are “intricately linked”, and reducing the risk of injury to horses will reduce human injury and loss of life.

“Identifying ways in which to reach the wider vehicle-driving community, helping to change their behaviour around horses, and securing funding for such projects is necessary.

“The use of conspicuous high-visibility clothing was associated with lower collision odds and is a simple step that all equestrians can take to make themselves and their horses more visible.”

So what is next?

Debbie Smith, who started the Pass Wide and Slow campaign in 2015, cites rider cameras and reporting every incident as the way to drive real change.

“I never thought it would still be going; I thought when we got to parliament the first time, that would be it,” she told H&H.

“Riders’ attitudes are changing. I think riders now are wearing cameras and are taking it upon themselves to report incidents.

They no longer say, ‘What’s the point?’ When I started, not many people would think about wearing a camera. I’d run a poll and it would be around five out of 100 back then. Now that figure would be closer to 50:50.”

Mrs Smith added that changes to the law – the original focus of her campaign – are ultimately key to protecting riders, so collecting and collating as much evidence as possible is vital.

“There are still no laws where there should be,” she said. “A car can still drive past you at 50mph on a 60mph road and not have any charges brought against them. The 15mph limit is just advice. Unless someone gets hurt, the authorities won’t bring a dangerous driving charge.”

Although Mrs Smith welcomes the changes to the Highway Code, she is pushing for these to go further, including wording added that drivers “must” abide by riders’ stop signals and that a “slow down” rider hand signal is added that drivers must abide by.

“The only way we are going to be protected is through law,” she said. “For me, encouraging more people to ride with a camera is the most important thing at the moment.”

The pandemic meant many of the Pass Wide and Slow awareness rides were cancelled this year, but more than 200 are planned for 2021.

“It would be nice to get every postcode in the UK covered,” she said, adding that she is also encouraging riders to share positive experiences where drivers have been considerate to help push change. “Every local ride raises awareness for that area and getting those in the local news and radio is the way to raise non-riders’ awareness.”

The push for all riders to report incidents is echoed in Epsom, where racehorses and recreational riders must cross busy roads to reach the Downs, and there have been serious incidents this year.

Improvements have been made, but the message is clear: incidents must be reported for change to happen.

“All we can do is report every single incident, even if it’s cars going through a red light or rushing through amber, to show what’s happening,” said Camilla Swift, who escaped serious injury when the filly she was riding was startled by fast traffic and fell in December.

“She was just lucky she wasn’t hit; we’ve always said up there when a horse gets loose, you’re listening for the cars and the braking. It was the same place it happened to Gladden [who was fatally injured] in January and a couple of months ago, a horse and lad fell there and cars drove round them.”

Ms Swift added that while locals know there will be racehorses crossing the roads, Epsom is busy with main roads, and the public are not necessarily aware.

“We are not riding on roads, but we have to cross them,” she said, adding that the push is not just about racehorses, but for everyone who rides in the area. “In a way the traffic lights don’t help as drivers stop for red, but they don’t stop if it’s green even if there’s something in the road.”

The issue is not being ignored and the Jockey Club, councillors, police and horsemen are working to improve safety. There is now a barrier and a downsman at the main crossing on to the Downs, so loose horses from the training ground can be stopped before they reach the road to prevent accidents such as Gladden’s from happening again.

Ms Swift added that further measures, as in Newmarket, where there are horse-capture areas at road crossings and light-up signs telling drivers to slow down for horses, could also help.

“You can’t always anticipate a horse’s behaviour, but you can tell a car to stop,” she said.

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Blenheim Palace Horse Trials will be organised by the Jockey Club from 2021.

The trustees of Blenheim announced today (1 December) that a five-year contract had been awarded to the Jockey Club following a competitive tender process. The news follows British Eventing’s (BE) announcement on 14 August that BE would stop managing Blenheim, stating at the time that the cancellation of this year’s event owing to the pandemic had given the BE board the opportunity to “reassess the organisation structure of the event”.

The Oxfordshire fixture usually takes place in September across four days and includes a CCI4*-L, and a CCI4*-S for eight- and nine year-old horses.

Jockey club regional managing director Ian Renton said it was “truly a great honour” to be awarded the contract.

“We look forward to working closely with Blenheim Palace and BE to ensure the event has a fantastic future,” he said.

“As a company we welcome nearly four million people a year to events at our venues, and our team are excited to put on a fantastic show in keeping with the international prestige of both the horse trials and the palace itself.”

Mr Renton added that as Cheltenham, the home of jump racing, is just 40 miles away he is confident there are “economies of scale and cross-promotional opportunities” from the partnership.

“Overall we’re thrilled to be involved and thank Blenheim Palace and BE for placing their faith in us.”

BE chief executive Jude Matthews said Blenheim is a “key fixture” in the calendar, showcasing some of the “most talented horses and rider combinations in the world”.

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“The event has been established over many successful years and we look forward to working with the Jockey Club to continue this development and to potentially bring our sport to a wider audience,” she said.

Blenheim Palace estates director Roy Cox said the international horse trials is one of the palace’s “most prestigious” events.

“We are delighted its future has been secured and have every confidence the Jockey Club, with its rich history and wealth of experience, working alongside BE, is the perfect combination to ensure this great event which contributes so much to the local area continues to thrive,” he said.

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New plans to build houses but preserve racing at Kempton Park have been revealed by the Jockey Club.

The original 2017 proposal to build thousands of homes on the dual-purpose Surrey track, which would have made around £100m for the Jockey Club, were shelved by Spelthorn Borough Council in autumn 2019. The decision was owing to the fact that “the harm to the green belt is not outweighed by the proposed development”.

A new, smaller-scale, development has now been proposed by the Jockey Club and developers Redrow Homes to the council.

If accepted, it would allow both National Hunt and all-weather Flat racing to continue at the venue, which is home to the King George VI and runs +60 race meetings each year.

This would involve only previously developed land being built on and would retain all racing facilities to continue as today, including both the jumps course and the all-weather track.

A statement from the Jockey Club said the objective of the proposal “remains to attempt to secure much-needed funding to invest in British racing, while helping to meet stated local housing targets”.

The council is looking to build 15,000 new homes in the borough and in the Jockey Club’s original proposal, the organisation earmarked the millions it would make from the sale for boosting facilities at Sandown and Newmarket, prize money and investments in horse and human welfare.

“We have respected the position of Spelthorne Borough Council throughout their local plan process with relation to Kempton Park,” said Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward of the Jockey Club.

“Having weighed up the latest information, we have now put forward another option alongside the original full site for their consideration.

“A healthy, sustainable and well-funded sport for the long term can only be achieved by investing in our sport. The need for British racing to raise significant funding to enable this is perhaps even more vital now than when our original proposals were announced.”

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Julian Larkin, group planning director of Redrow Homes, added: “The new homes would contribute to meeting Spelthorne Borough Council’s identified housing need and help reduce the need to remove land from the green belt in less sustainable locations across the borough.

“We look forward to discussing the planning representations with the council and wider community as the local plan consultation progresses.”

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Sporting stars have paid tribute to National Hunt hero Kauto Star’s incredible achievement as the trophy in his name for one of jump racing’s toughest challenges is unveiled.

The Paul Nicholls-trained chaser is the only horse to have won the £1 million Jockey Club’s Chase Triple Crown, which begins today (25 November) with the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

The 32 Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March complete the trio of races in the challenge.

Any horse who can replicated Kauto Star’s 2007 achievement in one season will take home the £1 million bonus plus the unique three-sided trophy, made by Thomas Lyte.

The victorious owner will be able to keep the trophy for ever and will be asked for their permission to name a future bespoke award after their own winner.

“It’s going to take a very special horse,” said Paul.

Cue Card came close in the 2015/16 season with wins at Haydock and Kempton, but fell in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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The video released to celebrate the new trophy features British sports stars Mike Tindall, Jamie Redknapp and Samantha Quek, who all have racing connections.

Among the leading members of the racing world who feature in the video are Paul Nicholls, Cue Card’s jockey Paddy Brennan and Jessica Harrington, who had been aiming popular chaser Sizing John at the challenge but sadly revealed this week he would not be running due to the heavy ground and wet forecast.

Jockey Club Racecourses’ chief executive Paul Fisher said he is “delighted” leading names in racing and other sports have taken part in the film.

“The Chase Triple Crown and the £1 million bonus have previously captured the imagination of the racing public and we felt it was only fitting to have a trophy named after the only horse ever to achieve the feat of winning all three races,” he added.

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Kempton Park looks set to be sold for housing, The Jockey Club has revealed in a shock announcement today (10 January).

The Jockey Club is submitting the racecourse to the Borough of Spelthorne for “redevelopment consideration” following the council’s “call for sites” on which to build 15,140 homes.

Racing is expected to continue at Kempton until at least 2021, with Sandown Park taking over hosting the King George VI when the time comes.

If planning is given the green light, The Jockey Club is hoping to secure “in excess of” £100 million for investment in British racing. The organisation has also revealed its plans to invest more than £500 million into the sport over the next 10 years.

“The Jockey Club is governed by Royal Charter to act for the long-term good of British Racing,” said Roger Weatherby, senior steward of The Jockey Club.

“The decision to submit our estate at Kempton Park for consideration in the local plan is unique and has not been taken lightly.

“Our board of stewards are horsemen and, having carefully considered what we can achieve in the long-run from doing so, are unanimously of the view that British racing is better served by us doing so.

“Horsemen and customers alike will enjoy the benefit of numerous projects nationwide that result from the record investment proposals we unveil today, which include investments at each of our racecourses and training grounds throughout the country.”

How will the money be spent?

The investments include plans to “transform” Sandown by investing in its facilities, track and race programme.

A new floodlit all-weather racecourse is also on the cards for Newmarket, to replace Kempton’s all-weather fixtures. Kempton’s jump fixtures will be split between other racecourses across the country.

A boost for prize money and investment in both equine and human welfare has also been pledged.

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“A new purpose-built all-weather course on The Links in Newmarket to replace that at Kempton Park would be ideal for the thousands of horses trained at the home of racing and beyond, as well as shortening the working day for racing’s people there,” added Mr Weatherby.

“I am also particularly pleased that The Jockey Club will be even better placed in the coming years to provide further support to important causes, such as racing’s welfare and education programmes.

“As ever our intention is for our sport to benefit to the greatest extent possible.”

British Horseracing Authority’s reaction

Nick Rust, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said it “acknowledges and understands” the reasons behind the decision.

“The BHA will work with The Jockey Club in the development of their plans, to ensure that the long-term interests of the sport — and its grassroots — are best served in the coming years, with a particular focus on safeguarding the future health of jump racing,” he said.

Mr Rust added the proposal for the Newmarket all-weather track would need to go through the usual process for the addition of new racecourses.

This includes submitting an application for approval by the BHA board and ensuring the course meets all necessary licensing criteria.

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Animology

The pet product brand has branched into the equine market.

To mark the launch of its horse products range, the company will be supporting a number of riders and businesses.

These are showjumper Will Walker, Haighton Stud Farm, breeders Team Arrathorne, showjumper Dominic Meer and 11-year-old rider Chloe Lane.

They will all be wearing the Animology logo and using the products at home and at competitions.

Calver Wealth Management

The representative of St. James’s Place Wealth Management has joined British Eventing (BE) as a sponsor in its own right.

It will sponsor BE’s league for young horses competing at two-star level, which will now be called the Calver Wealth Management 2* League.

“Through St. James’s Place Wealth Management’s support of Barbury we have really enjoyed being a part of a sport which many of us follow or have a personal involvement with,” said Jo Calver from the company.

As with this year’s series, the top rider of the 2016 league will receive a £5,000 bursary to share with the owners of their winning horse, who will also receive a bronze sculpture.

Bentley

Bentley has become the official luxury car partner of The Jockey Club.

As part of the deal, the brand is now also an official partner of Cheltenham Festival and the Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs racecourse.

It will offer its customers a chance to have exclusive access to Jockey Club hospitality and the Bentayga SUV model will be on display at events throughout the year.

“There is clear symmetry between our two brands and we believe this will be of interest to both British Racing’s premium customers and Bentley’s,” said Simon Bazalgette of The Jockey Club.

Careers in Racing and Vitalin

British Eventing (BE) has revealed that it has two new fence sponsors for the 2016 Baileys Jumping and Style (JAS) series.

Careers in Racing supports employment within the equestrian industry and Vitalin produces animal feeds.

The JAS season starts in January and competitors tackle a series of showjumps and cross-country fences in an indoor arena.

Classes range from BE90 to Open level and competitors are judged by faults and style.

Back on track

Smart clothing company Back on Track is sponsoring Russell Guire of Centaur Biomechanics.

Russell is a specialist in horse and rider biomechanics and came across the Swedish company’s products at the 2015 FEI European Championships in Aachen (11-23 August).

Back on Track makes clothing and braces for horses, humans and dogs to support muscles and joints.

These incorporate the company’s Welltex fabric, which contains ceramic particles that reflect infra-red waves back towards the body.

West Berkshire Brewery (WBB)

The craft ale brewer has signed a sponsorship deal with Geoffrey Deacon Training.

The racehorse trainer’s yard is close to the brewery’s base in Yattendon.

WBB beers have won over 40 awards, including two Great Taste awards.

“We are very grateful for the support of the brewery and we look forward to toasting successful future runners from Hamilton Stables with a pint of Good Old Boy,” said Geoffrey.

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The Pony Club has recruited the longest-serving racecourse manager at The Jockey Club — Pip Kirkby (pictured) — to be its next chief executive.

Mrs Kirkby, who is currently general manager of Market Rasen racecourse, will take up the position this spring. She will succeed Judy Edwards who is stepping down after 10 years in the role this March.

“I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to develop my career within equestrianism further by taking on the position of chief executive of the Pony Club. It is an inspirational organisation which is the starting point in riding for so many tens of thousands of young people, not only in this country but also overseas,” Mrs Kirkby said.

“The Pony Club is embarking on an exciting period of change and development and I am delighted to have the chance to play a key role in the new era along with all the members of the fantastic head office team and the many representatives across the UK.”

Mrs Kirkby started working for Jockey Club Racecourses in 1998 and nine years ago became the general manager of Market Rasen and Nottingham racecourses. Last year she oversaw an £800,000 development of Market Rasen, which included a major extension of the Tattersalls Enclosure

Amy Starkey, director east region, of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “Pip has been a most valued colleague and friend, and she has contributed enormously to the management of the east region and will be much missed.”

Mrs Edwards announced that she would be stepping down last September. During her time with the organisation she has established an in-house IT, press and marketing department and instigated the office move to new premises.

Mary Tuckett, chairman of the Pony Club, added: “I am thrilled that Pip is joining us. We had a great response to the vacancy with some exceptionally strong candidates coming forward for interview.

“The full trustee board were involved and we were unanimous in agreeing that Pip was the one for the role.

“We are all looking forward to harnessing the skills she brings to the Pony Club, particularly her strong commercial back ground.”

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Enjoy the H&H team’s top tweets from the equestrian twitterverse this week.

The week on twitter

Celebrating the success of the hunting newcomers week, is this a picture of the future?

Keeping with the theme, we love the fact that ‘teddy’ got a day’s hunting too with this young follower

The son of Coolmore’s Tom Magnier, Charlie celebrates with Cox Plate winner Adelaide

Superstar retirees of Laura Tomlinson, Mistral Hojris (Alf ) and Andretti H (Andy) enjoying their new lifestyle

Genius…

If you haven’t watched it yet, you absolutely must. Here is Brendan Powell Jr shooting a take for the Jockey Club’s ‘Get your heart jumping’ video which celebrates the season of jump racing ahead. Watch the video

We’re suffering from extreme holiday jealousy Charlotte Agnew — horseback safari with views like this? Yes please

If you like this, why not follow @horseandhound on twitter today?

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Ellen Svennerstal has been appointed as sales and marketing assistant at Keyflow Feeds.

The 22-year-old event rider competes at three-star with her horse, Southway, and has represented Sweden on several occasions.

Keyflow’s Cam Price said: “We are really excited to have Ellen on the team. The combination of business training and practical equestrian knowledge and experience will be hugely valuable to Keyflow.”

Nigel Laughton is the new chief executive for Pentathlon GB.

Nigel has 17 years’ experience working in elite sport and joins the organisation in November.

He comes to Pentathlon GB after three years as performance director of British Skeleton.

“I am honoured to have been offered this incredible opportunity in the lead-up to Rio 2016 and beyond,” said Nigel.

The Society of Master Saddlers has a new president — Peter Wilkes.

Well-known throughout the industry as head of Vale Brothers, Peter is passionate about excellence in saddlery craftsmanship, saddle fitting and the development and progress of the industry as a whole.

Peter takes over from Helen Dart, with Laura Dempsey moving into the vice president role.

“It is important that we never let go of our traditional craftsmanship while also adopting and looking into new manufacturing processes,” he said.

“I am starting my term feeling confident that consumers are buying again and it looks set to be a very positive time for all involved.”

Norbrook Laboratories has appointed Mark Brady as national sales manager for trade in Britain.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the animal health industry, he was most recently with Pfizer, which is now Zoetis.

Norbrook is a British veterinary pharmaceutical company set up in 1968 by the late Lord Ballyedmond.

Rory MacDonald has officially retired from his position as chief executive of the British Racing School in Newmarket after 22 years.

He has been succeeded by Grant Harris.

Grant Harris has previously worked for the National Trainers’ Federation, the British Horseracing Board and Weatherbys.

“I am honoured and proud to have been given the opportunity to carry on the great work Rory and the BRS team have achieved over the past 20 years that has led to the School’s reputation as a world-class training provider,” he said.

“We will strive to continue to improve the quality of training and trainees for the industry in this country and wider afield.”

Champion Chase-winning is jockey Jamie Moore the new “jumps ambassador” for the London region of Jockey Club Racecourses.

“It is a pleasure to be working with Sandown Park and Kempton Park racecourses as their ambassador for the coming season,” he said.

“They are two tracks that I enjoy riding at and I have been lucky enough to have had some great successes at both, so I feel honoured to have been asked to take on this role.”

Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre’s board of Trustees has announced a management restructure which will see the new role of chief executive created at the charity.

The current roles of operations director and fund raiser will be replaced with the chief executive and an executive assistant.

“This is a time of great opportunity and change for the TRC as we move into the next three-year strategic plan,” said chairman of Trustees, Brian Acott.

There have been a number of staff changes at Cumbria-based equestrian lick manufacturer, Horslyx.

Horslyx product and sales manager, Gillian Neill, is now on maternity leave and Nick Mackley, who recently joined the team as UK north sales manager, will be covering.

Becky Brennan has now been appointed as UK north sales manager.

Longstanding Horslyx team member, Anita Watson, will be leaving the company this autumn and Jonathan Bagg has been appointed as export manager.

Dengie has employed a new thoroughbred specialist and sales manager for Ireland.

Former National Hunt jockey Padge Whelan is joining the company and has has extentsive experience of the thoroughbred sector, thanks to a successful racing career that saw him ride more than 120 winners.

Dengie national sales manager Chris Allen said: “We are pleased to welcome Padge to the team. We are confident that, with his high level of knowledge, enthusiasm and drive, he will be a tremendous asset to the Dengie brand as he works to develop our potential in Ireland.”

Market Rasen racecourse is increasing capacity with an £800,000 extension of its Tattersalls enclosure.

A temporary marquee with bar facilities is being put up in the family enclosure while the work is carried out.

“This is an exciting development for Market Rasen as we stage increasingly popular major racing days,” said general manager Pip Kirkby.

The work is due to be finished before the racecourse’s Boxing Day meeting, which attracts 9,000 spectators.

For more information visit: www.marketrasenraces.co.uk or tel 0844 579 3009.

The longest-serving member of the Jockey Club, Brook Holliday, has died aged 85.

Mr Holliday was also a leading breeder. Among horses he bred was Vaguely Noble, who won the 1967 Observer Gold Cup. The horse sold for £136,000 — then a world record — and was put into training in France, where he won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Mr Holliday joined the Jockey Club in 1964 and served on the disciplinary committee. He stewarded at Newcastle, Epsom, Newmarket and Thirsk and served on the York race committee for 35 years. He chaired the committee from 1992-97.

He had Parkinson’s disease and died in April, leaving his wife Mary, 5 children and 9 grandchildren.

First published in Horse & Hound on 29 May 2014.

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Grant Harris has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the British Racing School (BRS). Mr Harris has industry experience having spent the last 11 years  as business development director at Weatherbys. “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the team at the British Racing School,” Mr Harris said. “It is a world-class operation that I have been a small part of and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

The Jockey Club has appointed Jeff Randall as non-executive director of Sandown Park Racecourse. The former Sky presenter took up his role at the climax of the jumps season at Sandown racecourse on Saturday (26 April) “I am delighted to be joining the board at Sandown Park, one of my favourite racecourses,”Mr Randall said. “Thanks to my late father, I was introduced to the sport in the early 1970s and it has been a source of huge enjoyment ever since. Now, through my involvement with The Jockey Club, I have a chance to give something back. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Martin Wood has been announced as the 2014 president of The Ponies Association (UK) Supreme Championships to be held at Stoneleigh Park (8-10 August). This will be the second year the event will be held at Stoneleigh Park.

More than 20 former and current jockeys have been recruited as racecourse hosts to give visitors expert insight to their day at the races.

Jockey Club Racecourses launched the initiative, in partnership with the Jockeys Employment & Training Scheme (JETS), to offer an “enhanced raceday experience to its customers”.

The hosts include Grand National-winning jockey Brendan Powell and Derby winners Michael Hills and John Reid. They will share their knowledge with guests, explain what happens during a raceday, guide newcomers through reading the racecard and arrange visits behind the scenes.

“I’m delighted to be involved,” said John Reid. “It’s great to see The Jockey Club is contributing even more to British racing as an industry by employing retired and current jockeys. I’m certain we can give racegoers a really special experience.

“I’m ready with my anecdotes and to share my amazing experience of winning The Derby.”

JETS was set up to help former jockeys and support those nearing retirement with the transition to new forms of employment.

Jockey Club Racecourses’ Paul Fisher said: “[The hosts] are a great way for our customers to get even more out of their day at the races and learn new things about our sport.

“At the same time, it’s great to be giving something back to hardworking jockeys and in the process we hope to generate funds that we will reinvest into the sport.”

The initiative — available at all 15 of the Jockey Club racecourses — will be open initially as an upgrade to a hospitality or group booking.

Cost: £275; visit http://www.jockeyclubracecourses.com/jockey-club-hosts/

There will be a new novice show series for ex-racehorses this year, thanks to The Jockey Club.

The organisation has teamed up with Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) to launch the Novice Thoroughbred Show Series 2014.

The Jockey Club RoR Series is intended to highlight the successful 2nd careers racehorses can go on to have in other equine disciplines.

The series is open to thoroughbred mares or geldings who have previously raced in Britain and are at least four years old. They must not have won any open showing class (including RoR and SEIB/Horse of the Year Show qualifiers).

There are more than 20 qualifiers, starting next month. The top 3 finishers at each go forward the championship at Aintree National Show on 26 July, where the total prize pot is £500.

Grand National winning trainer Jenny Pitman will be judging the final. The overall champion qualifies for Aintree’s Supreme RoR Championship the following day.

RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot said: “We are proud to have [The Jockey Club’s] support, which acknowledges the increasing popularity of the thoroughbred in the showing world.

“We look forward to some new talent emerging through the qualifying rounds and a competitive final in the summer.”

The overall champion qualifies for Aintree’s Supreme RoR Championship at the Aintree National Show the following day, with a £1,000 prize pot available.

Simon Bazalgette, group chief executive for The Jockey Club, said that the welfare of retired racehorses is “an important consideration” for the organisation.

“With the number of horses registered with RoR continuing to grow, we are delighted to be able to demonstrate our commitment to this worthy charity by partnering this new initiative,” he said.

For information, visit www.ror.org.uk/series_showing_5.php

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The Jockey Club’s racing-themed online advent calendar was launched today with this festive picture of AP McCoy on his “Christmas jumper”.

Sporting traditional Christmas wear, AP rode Dr Livingstone, a racehorse who had been painted from neck to hoof in his own spectacular water-based paint Christmas jumper, for the photoshoot.

Jockey and mount then jumped a training fence on the gallops that had been decorated specially with tinsel, baubles and presents.

AP said: “Everyone is in good spirits over Christmas; it’s a great time of the year to go racing.”

The first door on the Jockey Club’s Gift of Racing calendar will open on Saturday (1 December) and over the 24 days leading to Christmas will offer goodies and giveaways, including thousands of free tickets to racecourses, fun videos, festive recipes and festive games.

Paul Fisher of Jockey Club Racecourses said: “The Christmas period is packed with top-class racing action right through December, including four of our courses racing on Boxing Day and then we start 2013 in celebration with our New Year’s Day fixtures.”

Register for free now at www.giftofracing.co.uk

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The Jockey Club has signed a three-year deal with Thomson Sport to become official travel partners.

Thomson Sport will create travel packages around the sport’s major races – including the Grand National, the Derby, the Cheltenham Festival and the Guineas meetings.

They will also be developed around The Jockey Club’s music nights, which have attracted more than 500,000 people over the past two years.

Packages will include race tickets and transport as well as optional extras such as meals, hospitality and hotel accommodation.

“This year, British racing has enjoyed increased attendances and TV audiences. Westage some of the best events in the world at our venues and working with the right partners can help us to broaden our sport’s appeal and keep growing,” said Simon Bazalgette, of The Jockey Club.

“Together we can offer fans of racing, sport and live events a host of special experiences to remember.”

For more information visit: www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

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The new season’s nationwide point-to-point series the “Mares Maiden Series” is to be sponsored by The Jockey Club.

The series consists of 16 races that will be run between December 2011 and May 2012.

The Jockey Club – which runs 14 racecourses including Aintree, Cheltenham and Epsom – is offering connections of the horse that wins the series the chance of winning double prize money (of up to £10,000) for its next run at any of the company’s racecourses.

“Point-to-Pointing is a truly exciting sport with a great atmosphere. This partnership is partly about attracting other horse lovers to our racecourses and partly about giving something back,” said Simon Bazalgette, of The Jockey Club.

Simon Claisse, the chairman of the Point-to-Point Authority, said: “The Mares Maiden Series has always been considered an important start point for many fillies and mares, several of whom will transfer to the breeding industry once their racing days are over, whether just on point-to-point courses or latterly on jump tracks.

“Historically these races have always been well supported and we obviously hope the coming season’s Champion Mare goes on to draw the generous bonus being offered by The Jockey Club.”

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Eventing and racing are teaming up this year at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials as the Jockey Club is sponsoring an area in The Outside Chance — a bar overlooking the lake.

The Outside Chance public bar will return to Badminton this year, after a successful first year in 2010. It opens today (Thursday 21 April) until Monday (25 April).

New this year is The Jockey Club, a raised enclosure named after its sponsor, within the marquee that overlooks the main bar.

Live racing will be shown all weekend and a bookmaker will be on hand to take bets on both racing and the results at Badminton. This is the first venture between The Jockey Club and The Outside Chance who have plans to team up again at a number of race meetings throughout the year.

“The aim is to welcome as many equine lovers as possible over Badminton, show them a great time and invite them to come racing on any of The Jockey Club’s 14 racecourses,” said Jockey Club spokesman Scott Bowers.

Badminton final scores

“Badminton is such a major event, it’s an excellent opportunity to reach like-minded people. We’re also discussing how to bring The Outside Chance experience to some of our racecourses.”

The bar is open to all and is situated between the shopping village and lake. It also features plasma screens to catch all the action, a raised covered terrace and an outdoor bar.

Freddie Tulloch from The Outside Chance added: “The long-term idea is that together we will run The Outside Chance at a selection of Jockey Club racecourses in the hope that what we offer will help broaden the appeal of racing.

“Badminton attracts close to a quarter of a million equine enthusiasts and the hope is that by promoting racing their next visit to an equine event might just be a day at the races.”

The Outside Chance will be open each day from 8.30am until 10pm serving food and drink.

Follow all of the action from Badminton at www.horseandhound.co.uk/badminton2011live

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The furore over last month’s ruling by the European Court of Justice, which could deprive the BHB of some £14m revenue, shows no sign of abating. Just days after the BHB announced that it will cut costs by £8.7m, The Jockey Club’s senior steward Julian Richmond-Watson has called for the statutory levy to be extended.

“We are lucky that for 2005 the levy and the Levy Board still exist,” he said at the Gimcrack Dinner on Tuesday night. “The government must recognise that we need, at least in the medium-term, to keep a statutory system that guarantees a return to racing of a percentage of the income it generates for others. [This will] allow us to achieve a lasting long-term solution that guarantees the stable funding of the industry. I would ask all those in a position of influence to lobby the government accordingly.”

Earlier in the year, the BHB had agreed with the government that it would replace the levy with income deriving from licensing its database rights from September 2006. When the ECJ verdict called these revenues into question, several industry leaders asked the government to keep the levy in place.

“In the first instance, we believe it is vital for racing to look at the possibilities for an extension to the levy,” Vice-President of the Racehorse Owners Association, Stephen Crown, said at the time. “The levy represents a safe pair of hands in what has become a world of uncertainty.”

Even BHB Chairman Martin Broughton said that, although the BHB remains committed to commercial funding, some kind of statutory cover is necessary in the interim.

Now Richmond-Watson has added his authoritative voice to the chorus. He believes that extending the existing levy would be the obvious way forward for the moment but he also thinks “any extension must give the sport time to establish sound alternative funding”.

“We have an innovative industry and a thriving sport,” he said. “I am sure we will find many ways to secure and increase our income, but we must have that bedrock of financial support that only a statutory agreement can provide for the time being.”

In his view, exploiting picture rights could provide a valuable stream of revenue. “In light of ECJ ruling it may be that picture rights are racing’s most valuable commodity,” he said. “They are something for which bookmakers and punters have shown a willingness to pay and quite clearly they do have an established value. Those who hold those picture rights will have a major say in any future negotiations. I ask them to use them responsibly.”

However, Richmond-Watson believes the value of pictures is limited by the changing world of television. “[Terrestrial TV] coverage remains important as it ensures the sport continues to enjoy a high profile for the right reasons and enables racing to reach a wider audience. But the rise of digital television and the accompanying multitude of channels has resulted in a marked decline in audience numbers on all five terrestrial channels,” he said.

“As a result, the broadcasters are seeking to pay less and less to cover racing. So racecourses get less money for selling the pictures, but the betting industry still reap the benefit by showing the terrestrial races for free in the betting shops, on top of the additional income they generate by punters betting from home. This has to be wrong. We must seek to find a way of ensuring the benefits of terrestrial, and indeed all television coverage, reward rather than penalise the racecourses involved.”

The European verdict, which Richmond-Watson called “the unexpected 50/1 shot,” also threw a spanner in the Jockey Club’s plans to delegate its regulatory role to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority, which was originally scheduled for 1 January.

Until the long-term funding is secured, the Jockey Club has appointed two of the proposed independent directors of HRA to its Regulatory Board: former Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, Ben Gunn and, in a somewhat surprising choice, former OFT Director General, John Bridgeman.

“Yes, you did hear correctly, the former Director General of last year’s bete noir the OFT,” Richmond-Watson joked in Tuesday night’s speech, adding, “but you’ll be relieved to hear his term of office expired in 2000 before the hostilities with racing began.”

And while he reasserted the Jockey Club’s plans to become “a proper commercial organisation able to grasp the opportunities and lead the way,” Richmond-Watson also warned against the threat of excessive commercialism in racing.

“The pressures will be great and in the new commercial world it will be necessary for brave decisions to be taken if we are going to maintain our income and at the same time protect the quality and diversity which is synonymous with British racing. As we move forward we must guard against the long-term shape of our sport being dictated by what profit margins suit the bookmakers,” he said.

“Yes the European court ruling is a blow and yes there will be some short-term pain for all of us as we regroup and plan the way forward. But if we make a plan, work together and recognise the risks that increased commercialism can bring to our sport, then all the hard work of the past few years will not be lost.”

Meanwhile, the Jockey Club has appointed two independent lawyers to sit on its disciplinary panel. Timothy Charlton QC and Matthew Lohn, who are both experts in regulatory law, will join the panel from January 2005.

The Jockey Club has also recruited a Case Manager, who will assist in handling cases which are due to come before the Disciplinary Panel, while Deputy Senior Steward, Sir Michael Connell is chairing a working group which will look at ways to improve the Club’s disciplinary process and make it more efficient.

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