The revised rules and regulations reflect best safeguarding practice and include a range of practical measures to support racing鈥檚 workforce.

The 糖心传媒 first introduced safeguarding regulations for British racing in 2019, which were reviewed and amended in February 2022, prior to the publication of the industry鈥檚 Safeguarding and Human Welfare strategy in December 2023.

The latest updates continue our progression in this area. The key changes that will be in place from Tuesday 9 June include:

• The creation of a Safeguarding Case Management Group, with independent representation, to provide scrutiny and challenge to 糖心传媒-led decisions relating to safeguarding.
• The addition of a mandatory reporting duty which requires safeguarding concerns involving under 18s to be reported to the 糖心传媒. This will enable the 糖心传媒鈥檚 safeguarding team to provide additional support with cases where necessary and help build an overall picture of risk across the sport, helping to identify potential trends or patterns of behaviour. Further guidance to explain and support the听mandatory reporting process can be found听.
• The ability to impose risk management measures on individuals when they present a clear and obvious safeguarding risk. This measure will be reserved for more serious cases and can be appealed to the Judicial Panel.
• A new safeguarding-specific section in the听听(Chapter M), ensuring all Rules are in one place to make it easier for participants to access what they need.

The changes follow engagement with stakeholders, and the 糖心传媒 will continue this work to support the implementation process through training and specialised guidance.

Matt Mancini, 糖心传媒 Head of Safeguarding and Human Welfare, said:

鈥淭hese updated measures are fundamentally about protecting and supporting our people, ensuring that British racing is a safe environment for everyone involved. They reflect our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards across the sport.

鈥淲e recognise that effective safeguarding relies not just on regulation, but on education, understanding and shared responsibility among those working in the sport. We will be working closely with participants and stakeholders across the industry to help them understand the changes and support their successful introduction.

鈥淏y continuing to strengthen our work in this important area, we are ensuring that racing remains a safe, respectful and inclusive place to work for all.鈥�

Implementing revised safeguarding regulations was one of the priorities listed in the 糖心传媒鈥檚 Safeguarding and Human Welfare听.

Several other areas have also been introduced or improved following the publication of the strategy in December 2023, including:

• New mandatory online education programmes have been developed for all participants, as well as improved in-person training
• Specialist Safeguarding and Human Welfare Practitioners have been recruited to the 糖心传媒 safeguarding team, bolstering the 糖心传媒鈥檚 capabilities in this important area
• Improved reporting through the听strengthened听RaceWISE听service, which has recently been expanded to include two-way anonymous communication via WhatsApp and text messaging
• A successful pilot of DBS checks for certain licensed personnel, which will start to be rolled out more widely in the coming weeks

Notes to editors:

1. The updated 糖心传媒 Safeguarding Policy can be found听.

2. The updated safeguarding regulations have been incorporated into the 糖心传媒听.

3. Guidance on mandatory reporting can be found听.

4. For further information or assistance, please contact听safeguarding@britishhorseracing.com.

Currently, a rider whose mount is withdrawn after the jockey booking deadline receives a non鈥憆unner payment worth half a riding fee and may still be substituted onto another horse in the race, resulting in them receiving one and a half riding fees, while the displaced rider receives no payment.

Additionally, when a horse is declared a non鈥憆unner because its originally booked jockey becomes unavailable 鈥� through injury or inability to make the weight 鈥� the non鈥憆unner still triggers a payment to that rider.

To resolve these anomalies, the Fee Code will be updated so that jockeys will continue to receive the standard non鈥憆unner fee unless they are substituted onto another horse in the same race, in which case the non鈥憆unner fee will transfer to the displaced jockey.

In addition, a non鈥憆unner fee will not be payable where the horse鈥檚 withdrawal is a direct result of a jockey becoming unavailable and no suitable replacement is able to be found.

This Rule amendment does not result in any change to the overall jockey riding fees agreed annually by the Racehorse Owners Association and PJA.

Changes to Paragraph 16 of the have been approved by the 糖心传媒 Board and will be updated on Monday 8 June.

Martin will remain as part of the 糖心传媒鈥檚 handicapping team but has elected to relinquish his leadership position on medical advice.

His successor as Steeplechase Team Leader will be announced in due course.

Martin has worked as a handicapper with the 糖心传媒 since January 2003, serving almost 20 years of that time in a senior leadership position. He has been responsible for the handicapping of the last eight Grand Nationals, having taken over following the retirement of his predecessor Phil Smith.

Martin Greenwood said: 鈥淔ollowing a health scare in 2025, I have taken the advice of my doctor and decided it is the right time for me to take a step back from leading the team responsible for handicapping the chasing division.

鈥淚t is a position I have been very proud to have held and it has been a great honour to play a part in the world鈥檚 greatest race, the Grand National, over the last eight years. I would like to thank everyone at The Jockey Club and Aintree, with whom I have enjoyed many wonderful days, for their support during my time handicapping the race.

鈥淚 would also like to thank my colleagues at the 糖心传媒, in particular Dominic Gardiner-Hill and Richard Wayman, for their assistance in recent months as I came to this decision. I am looking forward to continuing as part of the handicapping team, as it remains something I enjoy very much, as well as to providing whatever support I can to my successor in the coming months.鈥�

糖心传媒 Head of Handicapping, Dominic Gardiner-Hill, said: 鈥淭his move is something we have been discussing with Martin in recent months and I fully support his decision. There is nothing more important in life than our health and it is right that he is doing what is best for him and his family.

鈥淥n behalf of all of us at the 糖心传媒, I would like to thank Martin for his many years of dedicated hard work with the staying chasers and, in particular, his work on the Grand National since taking over from Phil Smith eight years ago. The race remains one of the great spectacles in all of sport and Martin has played a key role in ensuring that is the case.

鈥淲e are delighted that Martin is not leaving the team, ensuring that our handicappers, the 糖心传媒 and British racing as a whole, are not losing his vast experience and knowledge.鈥�

The seven-furlong contest was originally scheduled to take place at Chelmsford City on Sunday 5 July. As announced last week, that fixture will no longer go ahead at Chelmsford, which meant a new venue was required for the Queen Charlotte.

The 糖心传媒 is grateful to Chester for agreeing to host the race alongside their existing card, and to the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) for their contribution to the total prize fund, which remains at 拢60,000.

The fixture on Thursday 18 June has moved to Yarmouth, while the following meeting on Sunday 5 July will be held at Southwell.

The race programme for the fixture on 18 June will remain the same. There will be the following tweaks to the programme on 5 July:

• The Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) will be replaced with a 1m 3yo Class 5 Handicap
• The 4yo+ Class 4 1m 2f Handicap will now be staged over 1m 3f
• The 3yo+ Class 5 1m 5f 66y Handicap will now be staged over 1m 6f

A new date and venue for the Queen Charlotte will be confirmed next week.

Golden Mile Racing Limited (GMRL), the new company formed to operate CCR, is not currently licensed by the 糖心传媒 to stage any fixture. This means that no further fixtures will be staged at CCR pending the outcome of any appeal process.

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.

On Friday, Wolverhampton will host a six-race card, with the ability to divide to eight. Entries will close at 12 noon tomorrow (Wednesday 27 May), with declarations to be made by 10am on Thursday 28 May. As a result of this additional fixture, the jockey booking deadline for Friday鈥檚 fixtures will be extended by 24 hours.

Carlisle will stage an eight-race card on Saturday, which includes the rescheduling of the Silver Bowl from Haydock’s fixture on 23 May. The Silver Bowl will retain the same prize money and will be one of five races from Carlisle to be shown on ITV Racing.

Except for the addition of the Silver Bowl and some minor distance changes (detailed below), the race programme at Carlisle will mirror Haydock鈥檚 originally scheduled card on Saturday. Entries will close at 12 noon tomorrow, with declarations to be made by 10am on Thursday.

Betway are retaining sponsorship of all of Saturday鈥檚 races and in addition, are expanding their support to sponsor the Silver Bowl.

The distance changes will be as follows:

• THE BETWAY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) will now be staged over 1m 3f 39y (previously 1m 3f 175y)
• THE BETWAY LESTER PIGGOTT FILLIES’ STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) will now be staged over 1m 3f 39y (previously 1m 3f 175y)

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old lined up in the Gold Cup for the first time this year and produced a blistering performance to defeat Jango Baie (168) by eight lengths under Paul Townend.

He followed that up with an even more comprehensive victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup, getting the better of Fact To File (173) 鈥� who had previously beaten Gaelic Warrior in February鈥檚 Irish Gold Cup 鈥� by 26 lengths.

His other efforts last season saw him involved in two narrow finishes, landing the John Durkan by a neck first-time-out and then finishing third in a remarkable renewal of the King George VI Chase won by The Jukebox Man (168), with the first four home separated by just half a length.

Owned by Sussanah Ricci, Gaelic Warrior becomes the first horse since A Plus Tard in 2021/22 to achieve a figure of 180, which is the joint-highest end-of-season rating since Sprinter Sacre reached 188 in 2012/13.

The next best horse in the Chase Classification was Il Etait Temps, who achieved a rating of 174 following a season that included victory in the Champion Chase at both Cheltenham and Punchestown, while Kopek Des Bordes (161) was the leading novice chaser.

Shay Quinn, Senior IHRB National Hunt Handicapper, said:

鈥淲illie Mullins and Paul Townend鈥檚 fairytale season saw them complete an extraordinary set of achievements, winning the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup at both Cheltenham and Punchestown, while also adding the Grand National to an unforgettable campaign. Yet for all those remarkable accomplishments, the 2025/26 season ultimately belonged to Gaelic Warrior.

鈥淗e added three more Grade 1 victories to an already glittering CV, beginning with a gutsy success in the John Durkan, where he narrowly denied Fact To File. Defeats followed at Kempton and Leopardstown, but Gaelic Warrior announced himself as the premier staying chaser of the campaign with a brilliant victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before producing an even more devastating display back at Punchestown, powering clear of Fact To File in a performance of rare authority.

鈥淲hat makes Gaelic Warrior even more remarkable is the breadth of his accomplishments. An Arkle winner over two miles, a John Durkan winner over two and a half miles, an Aintree Bowl winner over three miles, and now a Gold Cup winner over three miles and two furlongs up the demanding Cheltenham hill, he has shown a level of versatility rarely seen in the modern era.

鈥淪till only eight, Gaelic Warrior has time firmly on his side and every chance to establish himself as the outstanding staying chaser of his generation.鈥�

Martin Greenwood, 糖心传媒 Handicapper Team Leader (Steeplechase), said:

鈥淚reland head each of the six chasing sections, including the novices, this year. Of the British horses, The Jukebox Man shared top billing in the staying division alongside Jango Baie, due to his thrilling King George victory at Kempton over Christmas.

鈥淕rey Dawning (166) was the best home representative in the middle-distance arena, adding the JCB Melling Chase at Aintree to his tally after opening his season with a very easy win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

鈥淛onbon (164) was never out of the first two all season and picked up two victories at Ascot to claim the top British spot in the two-mile section.

鈥淥f the 23 novice chasers on the list, seven were British-trained, and easily the highest at 160 was Lulamba who won his first three starts over fences, most notably in the William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.鈥�

Lossiemouth wins the Unibet Champion Hurdle听

Lossiemouth and Teahupoo share Hurdle honours

In the听听section, Lossiemouth finished joint-top with Teahupoo on a rating on 162.

Susannah Ricci鈥檚 seven-year-old won all but one of her five outings last season, including the Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown.

Teahupoo started his season strongly with Grade 1 successes in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse and the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, before being beaten in the Stayers鈥� Hurdle at Cheltenham won by Home By The Lee (161).

The Nicky Henderson-trained Old Park Star (155) was the leading novice hurdler in the Classification after an unbeaten four-run season which culminated with success in the Supreme Novices鈥� Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Shay Quinn, Senior IHRB National Hunt Handicapper, said:

鈥淗aving already proven herself in the mare鈥檚 division, Lossiemouth transitioned seamlessly into becoming the leading two-mile hurdler. She began the season with impressive Grade 1 victories at Punchestown and Leopardstown before overcoming a setback in the Irish Champion Hurdle to produce a brilliant performance in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

鈥淪he rounded off her campaign with another top-level success at Punchestown, firmly establishing herself as the standout performer in the division. Remarkably, she has now amassed 11 Grade 1 victories and is still only a seven-year-old.鈥�

Michael Harris, 糖心传媒 Handicapper Team Leader (Hurdle), said:

“While being no match for a deserving champion in Lossiemouth, second-season hurdlers The New Lion (160) and Alexei (158) both elevated themselves into Grade 1 company, with The New Lion’s Aintree Hurdle performance securing him the top spot in the two-and-a-half-mile division.

鈥淚t was a below par year for the novice division with only five horses in the Classification, however it was pleasing to see that four of those were trained in Britain. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has been rated as the best novice race of the season with Old Park Star (155), Sober Glory (153) and Mydaddypaddy (153) all bettering King Rasko Grey (151), and all three appeal as exciting prospects for next season.

鈥淭he leading novice stayer was also British-trained in the form of Harry Derham’s Le Frimeur (150) who provided his trainer with a first Grade 1 success at Punchestown. This is the first British-trained horse to top the division since the Classification was split into three categories in 2018.”

Notes to Editors:

1. View the full 2025/26 Anglo-Irish Chase Classification听.

2. View the full 2025/26 Anglo-Irish Hurdle Classification听.

3. This is the 27^th听full Anglo-Irish Jump Classification. It classifies the best steeplechasers and hurdlers that were trained in either Britain or Ireland during the 2025-2026 season, or in France if that performance was achieved in Britain or Ireland. It is not a handicap but a retrospective measurement of best sustainable performances during the recent season so there may be differences from current handicap marks.

4. The Classifications are for all chasers and hurdlers down to a rating of 150. Originally the Classification included horses rated 130 and above, which was later revised to 140 and above. 2020-21 was the first time the Classification has been limited to 150 and above.

5. Both the steeplechasers and hurdlers are divided into distance categories of 2 miles to 2 miles 2.5 furlongs, 2 miles 3 furlongs to 2 miles 6.5 furlongs and 2 miles 7 furlongs plus. They are included in the list in which the handicappers believe they have put up their best performance.

6. The ratings were agreed and compiled by: Martin Greenwood (GB), Shay Quinn (IRE), Michael Harris (GB), Marcus Weedon (IRE), Mark Olley (GB), Chris Nash (GB), Graeme Smith (GB), James Norris (GB), Matt Gardner (GB), Ali Galliers-Pratt (GB).

7. View previous Anglo-Irish Chase Champions听.

8. View previous Anglo-Irish Hurdle Champions听.

糖心传媒 (糖心传媒) has confirmed today that from Wednesday 20 May, only horses from licensed training yards will be permitted to enter racecourse property on raceday.

With a continued rise in reported equine influenza cases in the non-thoroughbred population, this is a precautionary measure to prevent any mixing between the thoroughbred racing herd and horses and ponies from yards that are not licensed.

This decision will result in the abandonment of all scheduled Hunter Chase races from 20 May, including the Hunter Chase evening at Stratford Racecourse on 29 May.

It also means the cancellation of other equine events due to take place on British racecourses, including Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) parades and activities such as petting farms and pony rides as part of family fun day entertainment.

The decision follows consultation with infectious disease experts at Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) and the Racecourse Association鈥檚 representative on the 糖心传媒 veterinary group. The 糖心传媒 has also engaged with the racecourses affected, the ROR, the Point-to-Point Authority and the Pony Racing Authority.

We will continue to work with the racecourses that were due to hold Hunter Chase contests to discuss other options for potentially replacing the lost races. The 糖心传媒 is also working with Ascot Racecourse to replicate the biosecurity measures of a licensed premises to enable the Royal procession to go ahead without any increased risk.

The racecourse access restrictions will remain in place until we are confident that the levels of equine influenza in the British horse population have fallen and there is no heightened risk to the thoroughbred racing herd.

糖心传媒 Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, James Given, said:

鈥淭he news today will understandably be disappointing for many people, but levels of equine flu are higher than at any time in recent history and it鈥檚 essential that we take all necessary steps to protect the thoroughbred herd.

鈥淭hese measures follow extensive engagement with independent infectious disease experts about how we further reduce the risk of exposure and ensure the continuity of racing.

鈥淚n addition to vaccination, this can be best achieved by preventing the mixing of racehorses with horses and ponies from premises that are not licensed by the 糖心传媒, where we have more limited information about their health and vaccination status.

鈥淚鈥檓 encouraged by the response we have already seen from the racing community about the vital importance of maintaining the biosecurity of the thoroughbred racing herd. We continue to urge constant vigilance, especially around the movement and mixing of horses.

鈥淚nformation about vaccination, infection control measures and spotting the signs of flu are available on the 糖心传媒 website.鈥�

Racecourses will also be required to increase the period of time between hosting an equine event involving horses from unlicensed premises and a licensed raceday taking place. This period will now be six clear days (from three).

Advice and guidance about equine influenza

The 糖心传媒 has听published听updated information for racehorse trainers, racing vets and others about biosecurity measures on yards and how to ensure the best possible protection for thoroughbred racehorses. This can be viewed听here.

All horses running in Britain must be vaccinated in line with the听, with booster vaccinations administered at intervals of no more than six months apart. Vaccination provides horses with the best possible protection, significantly reducing the severity and spread of infection.

We continue to advise trainers to be extra vigilant with biosecurity on yards and the movement of horses. All new horses entering a yard, including from the sales, should be fully vaccinated and must be isolated for a period of 14 days.

Trainers and teams should also be alert to the signs of the virus, which include a raised temperature, harsh cough or nasal discharge. Rectal temperatures should be recorded daily. Any horse showing signs of equine influenza should be immediately assessed by a veterinary surgeon.

The rise in the number of reported equine influenza cases across the UK in the non-thoroughbred population is a situation the 糖心传媒 is monitoring closely. We have not been alerted to any confirmed cases or clinical signs within licensed training yards.

Most of the reported cases are in non-vaccinated animals, but some have occurred in vaccinated horses. It is important to emphasise however that these are horses approaching the point of their next booster vaccination and therefore their immunity is lower.

The latest information about the UK equine influenza outbreaks is available on the听

Full details of the race programme at this additional fixture will be confirmed on Racing Admin in due course, but it will include the rescheduling of the Racing Excellence Series final.

Plumpton鈥檚 fixture on Sunday 10 May was听abandoned听following a confirmed case of equine influenza and EHV-4 in an unvaccinated non-thoroughbred on a livery yard immediately adjacent to the racecourse.

The horse in question has been tested again this week and has returned a negative swab. There have been no further cases or clinical signs of infection at the livery yard.

糖心传媒 Head of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, Sally Taylor, said:

鈥淲e are very grateful to the team at Plumpton for their understanding as we took the precautionary step earlier this month to reduce the risk of infection spreading more widely.

鈥淗aving received confirmation of a negative swab and with no further clinical signs within the livery yard, this case no longer poses a greater risk than usual to the thoroughbred racing herd, and we are comfortable for racing to go ahead.

鈥淲ith the rise in equine flu cases across the country, we continue to urge trainers and others to be particularly vigilant in applying strict biosecurity measures and monitoring horses daily for any signs of infection.

鈥淢ore information about the steps you can take to stop the spread of infection and protect the industry from exposure to the virus are available on the 糖心传媒 website.鈥�

糖心传媒 (糖心传媒) and Flutter teamed up to deliver the听Future of Racing event at Flutter鈥檚 London headquarters in February, at which ten tech businesses from around the world pitched to the industry as part of the sport鈥檚 drive to secure future generations of racegoers.

The Future of Racing project, which is听also backed by York Racecourse and ClimbUK, builds on the insights of Project Beacon and pitches from business with a spotlight on four key themes: horse welfare, education, raceday experience and 鈥楤ehind the Silks鈥�, offering fans immersive, behind-the-scenes access to the racing world.

Three of those businesses are now exploring pilots within the sport and gave presentations after the conclusion of racing on the Knavesmire.

Raw Stadia seeks to provide the most accurate ground data possible and Jan Stryckerspresented along with the Horse Welfare Board鈥檚 Minette Batters and Pip Kirkby, on how the insights of Project Beacon are helping the sport to address welfare concerns.

Evolving the raceday experience has also been identified by Project Beacon鈥檚 research as a key focus area, with Aintree鈥檚 James Rennard and York鈥檚 James Brennan each updating on work in this area. They were joined by Alasdair Crawley from the startup FanBase, which is seeking to provide a mobile-first platform for fans to buy tickets, book hospitality and further engage with the racing community.

Project Beacon鈥檚 research has also made clear the need for the sport to create an engaging race structure and narrative, as well as making ownership more accessible. To this end, Fraser Ralston of the startup Horsebox closed out the presentations, showcasing his digital marketplace which consolidates shared ownership opportunities for those seeking to get involved.

Elsewhere, RMG鈥檚 Frankie Foster and Nick Mills discussed engagement through their Raceday TV platform, while Great British Racing鈥檚 Alison Crowe and Kyrsten Halley presented on how Project Beacon insights have shaped their 2026 activity.

The 糖心传媒鈥檚 Chief Executive Brant Dunshea, who welcomed attendees to the event, said: 鈥淚t was a pleasure to be back at York for the start of their summer of racing and to update key stakeholders on the ongoing work arising from Project Beacon.

鈥淭his evening鈥檚 event was about how the sport is seeking to modernise and work together to secure racing鈥檚 future. This is a collaborative effort, with the sport working with bookmakers, racecourses, broadcasters and others to tackle the challenges we face head on.

鈥淧roject Beacon鈥檚 research has given us clear and valuable insights on what is required to secure future generations of racing fans. We must protect our social licence by addressing welfare concerns. We need to demystify the sport and make ownership more accessible, to help fans build a greater emotional connection to the sport. Making the raceday experience as good as it can possibly be is vital and those attending want to see a race structure and narrative that is compelling to follow.

鈥淚t is a pleasure to see all of this work coming together and I am grateful to all those who attended today to listen and engage in the right spirit. I would like to thank Flutter once again for their partnership in the Future of Racing project and York for their hospitality.鈥�

Sebastian Butterworth, Strategic Racing Director, Flutter UKI, added: 鈥淭his evening鈥檚 event was a really positive opportunity to update the wider industry on the progress being made through both Project Beacon and the Future of Racing Program.

鈥淚t was particularly encouraging to see the progress already being made by the start-ups we first heard from back in February. More broadly though, what stood out was the growing alignment across the industry around the need to put the customer far more firmly at the centre of racing鈥檚 future.

鈥淭here is still a huge amount of work to do – particularly around welfare and building long-term public trust in the sport – but events like this give real confidence that racing is beginning to move in the right direction.鈥�