These changes have been approved by the 糖心传媒 Inspectorate in light of forecast further dry weather and the longer-term ability of the racecourse to suitably water the track prior to these fixtures to ensure an appropriate racing surface.

There are no such concerns for the fixtures due to be scheduled on the turf at Lingfield Park on Saturday 1 August and Tuesday 4 August.

The study, which will be completed this Autumn, will provide for the first time an independent and evidence-based assessment of the economic contribution made by Welsh horseracing to the Welsh economy.

The project will be led by聽Arad, a Cardiff-based research organisation specialising in policy areas such as education, skills and economic development.

Arad provides a range of services including strategic research, programme evaluation and impact analysis and work for a diverse client base which includes the Welsh Government.

The project, which is being financially supported by Arena Racing Company (ARC) on behalf of Chepstow and Ffos Las racecourses and Chester Race Company (CRC) on behalf of Bangor-on-Dee racecourse, will involve surveys of stakeholders and businesses within the Welsh horseracing community and spectators attending meetings on Welsh racecourses over the remainder of the summer.

A full written report will be published in both English and Welsh at the conclusion of the process and is expected to be used for both promotional and advocacy purposes.

Greg Swift, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at the 糖心传媒, said:

鈥淲e are delighted to commission Arad Research to carry out this important work on behalf of the thriving and historic horseracing industry in Wales.

鈥淭he sport is undoubtedly an economic and cultural powerhouse in Wales. But we want clear evidence to present to the Government that shows the significance of the industry across the country and the role it plays in growing regional economies and communities.

鈥淭he survey is crucial to supporting the research and the economic evidence, so we are asking Welsh racing and breeding businesses to support and contribute to Arad鈥檚 work and help us demonstrate to policy makers the essential role horseracing plays in Wales.”

On behalf of Arad, Director Hefin Thomas said:

“We鈥檙e pleased to have been commissioned to undertake this important research which will examine the economic contribution of horseracing in Wales. This will include consideration of the direct impact of activities at Chepstow, Ffos Las and Bangor-on-Dee racecourses as well as wider economic impacts throughout the sector and supply chain.鈥�

On behalf of Arena Racing Company, Regional Director for the South and West Phil Bell said:

鈥淲e very much look forward to working with Arad, our colleagues at the 糖心传媒, Bangor on Dee Racecourse and everyone across the world of Welsh horseracing to make sure that we can show exactly what a success story our sport is, and how important it is to a wide range of communities in Wales.鈥�

On behalf of Chester Racing Company, Chief Executive Louise Stewart said:

鈥淲e feel that it is really important for Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse to collaborate with the 糖心传媒 and other Welsh racecourses to support this research project.

鈥淗orse racing plays a significant role in Wales, supporting jobs, attracting tourism and generating economic activity in communities. While we witness its impact in the North Wales economy, robust evidence is vital to ensuring the industry’s value is fully understood as we continue to work closely with Government.

鈥淲e look forward to the findings of the report, which will help showcase the contribution our racecourses make to the sporting and economic landscape of Wales. Just as importantly, it will provide valuable insights to help shape the future growth and success of the industry.鈥�

The fixtures will move to the following venues on the same date:

• Thursday 27 August – Lingfield Park AW
• Saturday 29 August – Chepstow

The race programme for the fixture moving to Lingfield will remain the same. The 1m5f Handicap originally scheduled for the Chelmsford City fixture will now be staged over 1m4f at Chepstow.

A passionate owner-breeder and accomplished business leader, Cox has a deep understanding of the British racing and breeding industry, combined with extensive board-level experience and large-scale commercial expertise.

Cox has been a member of the Thoroughbred Breeders鈥� Association (TBA) board of trustees since November 2021 and chairs the 糖心传媒鈥檚 Jump Pattern Committee, which makes recommendations to the 糖心传媒 Board on how to continually strengthen the Jump Pattern and Listed programme.

A former Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) board member, Cox is a member of the industry鈥檚 High Quality Horse group, which is contributing to wider work to grow the number of horses 鈥� and particularly top-class horses 鈥� being bred, owned, trained and raced in Britain.

An owner of racehorses for more than 15 years with four horses currently in training, Cox has established himself as a thoroughbred breeder, with 10 broodmares stationed at Shade Oak Stud 鈥� also home to St Leger winner-turned-stallion Logician, in whom he owns shares.

A master brewer by profession, Cox spent over three decades in the international beer and beverage industry in increasingly senior leadership roles, overseeing global supply chain management, business transformation, turnaround and growth.

In 2014 he was appointed European president and chief executive officer of Molson Coors, a role which expanded to include Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The company generated circa 拢2 billion turnover and employed 6,500 people. Cox led multi-billion-pound acquisitions and delivered consistent growth through a focus on the customer and the consumer.

Throughout his career he has established strong political relationships, most recently through his board roles with the Portman Group, the British Beer & Pub Association and The Brewers of Europe. He has been involved in successful government engagement and lobbying, including the brewing industry campaign to abolish the beer duty escalator in 2013.

Prior to commencing his role on 1 October 2026, Cox will meet and engage with people from across racing, breeding and betting to listen to their views, plan for the sport鈥檚 growth and future prosperity, and how the industry can work together to achieve this.

Commenting on his appointment, Simon Cox said:

鈥淚t is an honour to be appointed Chair of the British Horseracing Authority at such an important moment for racing and breeding.

鈥淚 enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in the brewing and beverage sector, but horseracing has always been my passion. I have been extremely fortunate to be involved in this wonderful sport for many years, during which I have learned a great deal 鈥� and contributed a fair amount too, I hope.

鈥淏ritish racing and breeding is a worldwide success story. We are an industry that is globally renowned for our equine welfare standards, the fairness and integrity of our competition and the quality of our participants, our horses and our racing.

鈥淚t鈥檚 no secret that we face significant challenges and my focus will be on ensuring racing works together to address these, with a particular emphasis on growing participation in the sport, our customer base and critically our income streams.

“There is really good work already underway in so many areas, but there is also much to do to set our industry up to thrive for generations to come.鈥�

Nominations Committee Chair and 糖心传媒 Board member, Kyrsten Halley, said:

鈥淥n behalf of the Nominations Committee we are delighted to have recommended Simon to the 糖心传媒 Board. He was a first-class candidate throughout a highly competitive recruitment process, with some exceptionally skilled and high calibre individuals.

鈥淲e were particularly impressed with Simon鈥檚 in-depth knowledge and understanding of British racing and breeding, accumulated over many years as an owner-breeder and investor in our sport, alongside his experience and expertise from a truly impressive commercial career.

鈥淗e is acutely aware of the nature of the challenges our industry faces and articulated a clear and compelling plan for how we seek to address them.

鈥淗is strong vision for how we make progress in key areas like the sport鈥檚 governance, growth strategy, equine and human welfare and government relations left us in no doubt that he has the credentials to provide exceptional leadership at a critical time for our industry.鈥�

糖心传媒 Interim Chair and Senior Independent Director, David Jones, said:

鈥淪imon is already a very well-established and deeply respected figure within our industry, known among participants and racecourses as an advocate for British racing and bloodstock and for his considered and collaborative leadership approach.

鈥淗e is also someone who possesses a steely determination and decisiveness and is, at heart, unwaveringly passionate about seeing British racing succeed.

鈥淪imon has been a valuable asset to our industry for many years as a fan, owner, breeder, investor and active participant, and has the necessary skillset and demeanour to be an accomplished and successful 糖心传媒 Chair.鈥�

The appointment of the new 糖心传媒 Chair follows a comprehensive, open recruitment process, overseen by an interim Nominations Committee chaired by Kyrsten Halley and comprised of three independent and two member-nominated appointees.

Membership of the Nominations Committee was as follows:

• Kyrsten Halley (Nominations Committee Chair)
• Tara Warren
• Raj Parker
• Louise Stewart, appointed by the Racecourse Association (RCA)
• Philip Newton, appointed by the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Thoroughbred Breeders鈥� Association (TBA) and Licensed Personnel.

The recommendation of the interim Nominations Committee that Simon Cox be appointed independent non-executive Chair of the 糖心传媒 on an initial three-year term was approved by the 糖心传媒 Board.

Ahead of joining the 糖心传媒 Board, Cox will resign from his TBA trustee role, and his positions as Chair of the 糖心传媒 Jump Pattern Committee and member of the High Quality Horse group.

The Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) has today confirmed that David Williams has been appointed its new Chair with immediate effect.

Williams takes over from Sean Trivass, who has been at the helm of the HBF for more than four years.

Trivass chaired his final HBF meeting at Lingfield Park last week before handing over the reins to Williams.

鈥淚t has been an honour and a privilege to represent punters throughout Britain as we continue to ride the rough waters of the Gambling Act Review and its knock-on consequences,鈥� Trivass said.

鈥淔or far too long bettors have been seen as the bottom of the food chain despite being a major source of funding for the sport, but I am confident that I leave the HBF in very safe hands as they look to drive forward the changes needed to make it a better and fairer betting landscape for all punters, big and small.

鈥淚 would like to thank my fellow members and the British Horseracing Authority for their support over the years and leave with the firm belief that racing and betting still has a positive future.

鈥淚 will now return to the day job as a freelance racing journalist and wish my successor and the rest of the Forum the very best.鈥�

Williams, an Education Director and lifelong horse racing fan and punter, said:

鈥淥n behalf of all on the Forum, my thanks go to Sean for all the tireless work he has put in as both a member and latterly as Chair of the HBF.

鈥淗e has been an excellent advocate for all things related to punters, is not frightened of asking awkward questions and leaves excellent foundations for us to get punters鈥� voices heard on the key issues in these challenging but exciting times for racing.

鈥淲e are pleased that we will not be losing his expertise and racing contacts as he will remain on board in an advisory capacity.

鈥淲ith our recent annual survey results, the HBF has a clear mandate to represent the betting public on the issues that concern them most, drive change and hold authorities and bookmakers to account while further lifting the profile of our Forum as the independent representatives of bettors.

鈥淎s a recreational punter myself, my chairmanship will be about using my professional experience, leveraging the best from our knowledgeable and committed committee members and restoring common sense and fairness for the millions of recreational backers who enjoy their hobby and are so vital for this sport.鈥�

Notes to editors:

1. The Horseracing Bettors Form is the only recognised body representing punters in the UK today. They can be contacted via email to comments@ukhbf.org or from their website at .
2. Sean Trivass can be contacted on 07809 486840
3. David Williams can be contacted on 07799 473920

Dr Walker joins as one of two Member-Nominated Directors, on behalf of the Thoroughbred Breeders鈥� Association, Racehorse Owners Association and licensed personnel.

He takes over the position from Charlie Parker, whose term on the Board has concluded after six years.

Dr Walker, an economist by profession, has been an owner of racehorses for over 30 years. He joined the Board of the ROA in 2023 and became Chair in October 2025.

David Jones, Interim Chair of the 糖心传媒, said:

鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to welcome Jim to the Board. He is not only a passionate advocate for racehorse owners but also brings a good understanding of the wider industry to the table, alongside his proven business acumen.

鈥淚鈥檇 also like to offer thanks to Charlie Parker for everything he has contributed to the sport over his six years on the Board鈥�.

Dr Jim Walker said:

“I am delighted to join the 糖心传媒 Board, representing the interests of racehorse owners alongside breeders and licensed personnel.

鈥淎s an economist, I am well versed in an appreciation of how policy can impact an industry, and I hope I can bring some insights in that vein to the 糖心传媒 Board table. I look forward to contributing constructively with board colleagues to grow the sport, deliver long-term sustainability and foster innovation for British racing’s future.”

Notes to editors:

1. Current membership of the 糖心传媒 Board can be viewed聽here.

The decision has been approved by the 糖心传媒 Course Inspectorate due to an issue with the racecourse irrigation system which is limiting the amount of water that can be applied to the racing surface and will not be resolved before raceday.

With the Going already Good to Firm and no rain forecast ahead of Tuesday, Musselburgh will be unable to provide raceable ground. The fixture has therefore been abandoned now, to give participants as much notice as聽possible,聽and will not be replaced.

The recommendations are the output of a detailed review into starts at the Cheltenham Festival which was announced following a significant, and rising, number of false starts at recent Festivals.

The review was carried out by the 糖心传媒 alongside Cheltenham racecourse and included extensive consultation with jockeys from Britain and Ireland alongside trainers, bettors, broadcasters, officials and other stakeholders. It consisted of both in-person focus groups and written responses, alongside a detailed review of data and the racecourse layout.

Jockeys who participated in the process included the likes of Keith Donoghue, Liam Harrison, Jack Kennedy, Danny Mullins, Sean Quinlan,聽Gavin Sheehan,聽Harry Skelton, Mark Walsh and聽Tabitha Worsley among others, and we are grateful for the part played by everyone involved in this process.

The feedback gathered from this process identified a number of recurring themes. These included:

• Horses occasionally approach the start from too far back, particularly where starts occur on a bend.
• Course configuration was a dominant theme. Narrow holding pens, funnel effects, and specific problematic start locations were identified (notably the 2m and 2 陆m starts).
• The need for simplification and greater clarity and consistency in starting procedures, clearer communication between officials and jockeys, and increased starter discretion.
• That current rules are not being enforced rigorously enough, and the sanctions are not a sufficient deterrent, especially in more valuable or prestigious races.

A detailed analysis of data was also carried out. The findings of this included that:

• The percentage of races resulting in an aborted start at the Cheltenham Festival had increased annually over the last five years from around 18% in 2022 to nearly 40% in 2026.
• This is in stark contrast to wider jump racing where the rate has fluctuated between around 3% – 4% of starts over the same period.
• It also showed a clear trend that the 2m and 2 1/2m starts on both the Old and New course contributed a significant and disproportionate amount of false starts in relation to most other starting locations.

These findings, alongside other views expressed in the process, were considered by the 糖心传媒 and Cheltenham racecourse, and the following recommendations have since been shared with industry stakeholders and approved by the 糖心传媒.

The recommendations include a combination of changes to the layout at Cheltenham racecourse, greater clarity in starting procedures and enhanced regulation and penalties. They have the objective of reducing the numbers of false starts and ensuring, as much as possible, a fair and even start for all participants.

Recommendations

1. Optimise as far as possible the physical track layouts at Cheltenham鈥檚 two most problematic starting points (2 mile and 2 1/2 mile) to reduce natural field congestion and acceleration, within the confines of the topography of the land in these areas.
2. To provide greater clarity for jockeys and more flexibility for starters, transition the current wording within the rules as to the maximum pace at which a horse can approach the tapes from a “walk or jig-jog” to 鈥渨alking pace鈥� to apply to all Jump races.
3. To provide greater clarity for jockeys, officials and the viewing public, explore the concept of a physical, highly visible “start zone” at starts across all racecourses to create a zone in which a starter is able to start a race.
4. To provide a greater deterrent against breaches of the rules at the start of major races, implement a tiered penalty increase specifically targeting Class 1 and Class 2 races across all courses, in the same manner as the whip rules.
5. Introduce a live audio recording system at the start area to capture communications and instructions given by starters to jockeys, with a direct feed to the stewards’ room.聽

MORE DETAILS REGARDING THE RECOMMENDATIONS, RATIONALE AND NEXT STEPS CAN BE FOUND .

The above remain, at this stage, as recommendations. Prior to any implementation all of these recommendations will now be scoped out in more detail. This includes further discussion with participants, assessment of racecourses where there are proposals for physical changes, and consideration of trial periods ahead of full implementation.

Cathy O鈥橫eara, Head of Raceday Officials for the 糖心传媒, said:

鈥淚 want to thank everyone who took part in this review for the honesty and insight they brought to the process. Their feedback, combined with the detailed data analysis, has given us a clear picture of the recurring challenges at Cheltenham, particularly around course configuration, the approach to the tapes, and the need for greater clarity and consistency in starting procedures.

鈥淐heltenham is a unique environment. It is the pinnacle of Jump racing, with the intensity, atmosphere and significance of the meeting all contributing to the pressure at the start. Our starters do an excellent job in the toughest circumstances, and these recommendations are designed to support them and the jockeys, from improving the physical layout at the most problematic starts to simplifying the rules, enhancing communication, and strengthening regulation where needed.

鈥淲e hope these changes will lead to an improvement to starts at the Festival and across Jump racing. But they are not a golden bullet. Success also depends on everyone involved doing their part to observe the starting procedures. We will monitor how these measures bed in throughout 2027 and continue to refine them where necessary to ensure the best possible experience for horses, jockeys and racing fans.鈥�

Jon Pullin, Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham Racecourse, said:

鈥淲e鈥檝e worked closely both with participants and the 糖心传媒 since this year鈥檚 Festival and have made a number of layout changes to the two and two and a half mile starts on both the old and new courses. We will be monitoring them closely as our season begins along with any other impacts of the wider proposed changes to starting procedures as they bed in.鈥�

Dale Gibson, Executive Director (Racing) for the PJA, added:

鈥淎 smooth and fair start for all horses is important for everyone 鈥� jockeys, trainers, owners, racing staff, and those betting on the sport 鈥� and the PJA and our members were keen and active participants in the review as a result. We welcome the outcome of the review and the recommendations, many of which were proposed by senior riders and our safety officers, working with the racecourse and the 糖心传媒 Course Inspectorate, and will continue to work closely with our members and the 糖心传媒 on the remaining areas for consultation鈥�.

A further area that was covered as part of the review was standing starts. While some participants expressed their dislike of standing starts it was felt that the current system, which includes the ability for two attempts at a walking start prior to reverting to a standing start, was the preferred option. This is due to the fact that, once two false starts have taken place it will become increasingly harder for starters and jockeys for a race to be started fairly, and therefore the addition of the standing starts ensures that there are only ever a maximum of three attempts to start any single race.

Notes to Editors

1. MORE DETAILS REGARDING THE RECOMMENDATIONS, RATIONALE AND NEXT STEPS CAN BE FOUND聽.
2. Groups who participated in the consultation include:

• 糖心传媒 officials and Racing Department
• Cheltenham racecourse
• Horserace Bettors Forum (HBF)
• Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB)
• Irish Jockeys Association (IJA) and Irish jockeys
• ITV and RTV broadcasters
• National Trainers Federations (NTF) and trainers
• Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and jockeys

The fixtures will move to the following venues on the same date:

• Thursday 23 July 鈥� Southwell
• Thursday 6 August 鈥� Southwell
• Thursday 13 August 鈥� Lingfield Park

The race programmes for these three fixtures will largely remain the same except for the following changes to Southwell鈥檚 cards:

Thursday 23 July

• The 4yo+ Class 6 1m 5f handicap will now be staged over 1m 4f
• The 3yo Class 6 1m 2f handicap will now be staged over 1m 3f

Thursday 6 August

• The 3yo+ Class 2 1m 2f handicap聽(Chelmsford City Cup) will now be staged over 1m 3f
• The 4yo+ Class 6 1m 2f handicap will now be staged over 1m 3f

CCR鈥檚 fixture on Sunday 2 August will be cancelled and will not be replaced.

CCR does not currently have a licensed operator to be able to hold any fixtures. An appeal from Golden Mile Racing Limited (GMRL) against the decision of the 糖心传媒 Board on 2 April 2026 to reject GMRL’s application for a licence to operate the racecourse at Chelmsford City was dismissed by the independent Licensing Committee last month. A summary of the Committee鈥檚 reasons for that decision can be read聽, with full written reasons to follow.

The 糖心传媒鈥檚 racing department will continue to work with the National Trainers Federation, trainers, owners and other stakeholders to provide sufficient opportunities for horses within the race programme.

鈥淲e are hugely disappointed that the Gambling Commission will implement affordability checks which will have severe financial implications for British racing and the UK economy and subject racing bettors to unwarranted levels of intrusion.

Over a number of years, and through several consultations, British racing has engaged in a spirit of huge goodwill to honestly advise the Government about the potential impact this policy would have on our sport and its fanbase.

These concerns were shared by the betting industry, politicians, campaigners and policy makers, who warned of devastating unintended consequences on two major industries that are worth billions of pounds to the UK economy and employ more than 200,000 people across Britain.

We understand these checks have been proven by the Gambling Commission鈥檚 own pilot to not be 鈥榝ully frictionless鈥� as originally promised by successive Government ministers.

Rather than protecting consumers, these checks will have the opposite effect: driving more customers to the illegal market 鈥� which puts them at much greater risk of gambling-related harm 鈥� and starving the Treasury of much needed tax revenue.

Objective evidence from across the globe makes clear that this decision is one of self-harm on an immense scale that will have damaging economic and societal implications.

For this decision to be taken unilaterally by the Gambling Commission shows a clear abdication of duty by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which has failed to grip this process or properly consider the damaging consequences of the decision.

A policy decision of this magnitude needed to receive parliamentary scrutiny, especially when other policies from the 2023 Gambling White Paper were passed via legislative routes.

Sadly, this is the latest in a long chain of events that shows how little the DCMS has done for the country鈥檚 second-favourite sport. This includes its failure to reform the Horserace Betting Levy, despite clear evidence that demonstrates British racing needs a higher annual yield to remain internationally competitive.

This has all been at a time when we see other Governments around the world committing significant effort and resource to promoting their horseracing industries.

Perhaps most concerningly, this policy has now been signed off for implementation without key stakeholders in racing and betting being able to see vital evidence such as the NatCen鈥檚 independent review of the pilot.

Members of the implementation working groups 鈥� which the Gambling Commission are setting up in advance of the first stage of the checks being rolled out 鈥� will not even be privy to this evidence given that the Commission are not publishing its full consultation response on the pilot until the autumn.

The pilot has highlighted issues that must be resolved, including Credit Reference Agencies producing different results for the same customer. Unambiguous guidance also needs to be provided to operators, so they do not need to take an overly cautious approach once a customer has been flagged.

No attempts should be made to implement affordability checks before these glaring issues and processes have been worked through.

It is also essential that the Commission significantly improves its communication with stakeholders as this policy now moves forward to the implementation phase as there has been a distinct lack of information provided throughout the latter stages of the process.

We would like to thank racing supporters for time and again lending their voice to campaigns against this deeply unpopular policy. A very clear message was sent through petitions, rounds of letter writing campaigns, as well as dozens of political and official meetings secured by British racing, that this policy should not be introduced.

We will now seek to work with the DCMS, the Gambling Commission and the betting industry to find ways to mitigate the worst impacts of this policy.

The former have repeatedly insisted that this policy, in light of the severe loss of turnover that British racing has already experienced due to ongoing document checks, will be better for our industry. It is very clear that, once implemented, an independent evaluation of this policy will be required to see whether that has indeed been the case.鈥�

Notes to Editors:

1. When 鈥淔inancial Risk Assessments鈥� were formally adopted by the then Conservative Government in the 2023 Gambling White Paper, independent consultants Regulus Partners modelled that the policy would cost the horseracing industry an estimated 拢250m in lost revenues over five years.

2. According to projections from the Betting and Gaming Council, if these new thresholds are introduced, around 120,000 racing bettors could face enhanced affordability checks (which include requests for personal documentation such as P60s and pay slips). Of those, around 96,000 are expected to refuse to provide financial documents, leading to significant reductions in betting turnover and an estimated loss of more than 拢13 million per year in Horserace Betting Levy receipts.

3. A Gambling Commission consumer survey involving over 12,000 respondents that was carried out in 2021 as part of their 鈥淩emote Customer Interaction鈥� consultation found that only 14% of bettors would be willing to provide personal financial information to a betting operator to continue betting. In the same survey, 66% of respondents said they would feel uncomfortable or very uncomfortable with a credit reference agency accessing their person information as a way of completing an affordability check. This technology now underpins the policy.

4. The 糖心传媒鈥檚 own 2023 Right to Bet survey 鈥� which had nearly 15,000 respondents 鈥� found that 4 in 10 bettors would be prepared to use the illegal market if state mandated affordability checks were to be introduced and that 1 in 10 bettors had already used an unlicensed betting operator.