INTERFERENCE
A month ago, at a hearing conducted by the BHA’s Independent Judiciary, Mr John Berry (racehorse trainer) gave a masterclass on the Interference Rules and their application (See SPORT 123).

John warned of the horror story that was surely on it way, when he mentioned the almost unbelievable fact that no Dangerous Riding judgement has been upheld in Britain for twelve years. Well, that horror story had already happened, although I had failed to register it, and is currently making the headlines. This week the High Court is hearing the Tylicki compensation case. Jockey Freddie Tylicki is now permanently dependent on a wheelchair, as a result of a racing accident at Kempton Park in 2016. He is claiming six million pounds from the jockey who caused his accident. He claims that the latter rode in a manner that was totally irresponsible.

At the same time, in another place, Racing’s Independent Judiciary is looking into one of the nastiest situations that has ever arisen among our jump jockeys. British jump jockeys have always been considered as the best of British and essentially admirable in every aspect of the way they behave. Not any more. Seriously involved is Bryony Frost, possibly the best lady jockey in the world.

I think it best for me to hold my tongue on the Tylicki and Frost situations. Appropriate review bodies are currently hammering out what may well be the truth of the matter in both cases. When they publish their findings and conclusions, I will reveal my thoughts – if any.

STARTING

Meanwhile, a few more words about big-field-starting procedures under NH Rules. The recent Ladbroke Cup, 21 runners, at Newbury, seemed to have a good start. Don’t be fooled: the horses were sent on their way more than a hundred yards behind the starting gate, without any attempt to “make a line”  and almost out of sight of the stands.

It is a pathetic trick employed by the raceday regulator and designed by his predecessor. Both are Australians, and jump racing hardly features in that country, so they were both in need of help, which they refuse to seek. Mr Stier invented the Rolling Maul, and False Starts proliferated as a result. So he resorted to the dirty tricks and then returned to his native land.

The present incumbent was mainly involved in harness racing in Australia, so he was even more ignorant than Stier. He had the advantage, however, of repeated suggestions from my good self that all would be well if he just “junked” the Rolling Maul. Sadly he refused to do what he was told and False Starts are still a problem. Hence the dirty tricks. We’ll see how he gets on with 30 runners six times a day, five days a week at Cheltenham.

One day we may see a legal challenge when the runners are completely out of sight at start time, and a litigant claims that the distance of races are not being accurately and properly recorded and respected.

FIGHTING TALK
I think the row that has developed between the Arena Racing Company (ARC) and the BHA may turn out to be a good thing. I know very little about the nuts and bolts of the discontent, but I welcome the real anger on both sides. For the last 17 years I have been standing practically alone as a critic of the BHA, and I am certain that every insult now being aimed in its direction is justified; if ever an industry’s “engine room” deserved a good kicking on a weekly basis, the BHA is that “engine room.”

Item: it has no idea how to employ the right people for the jobs that become vacant. British racing does not need unqualified foreigners at the BHA. Qualified British experts, with experience in British racing, should be the natural and obvious source for likely employees.

Strangely enough, the core staff at 75 High Holborn seem to be positively uncomfortable in the company of British horsemen, which is a pity. Racing is to do with horses, and one would imagine that a cordial relationship between city slickers and the equestrian classes would be beneficial to both – and to the industry. And to the country.

Item: I get the impression that the BHA is a rather grand care home, catering for inmates with simple needs and no long term ambitions apart from death and a transfer to the care home in the sky. That’s a pity – as is the fact that since 1962 the BHA has done nothing worthwhile, has allowed the Tote to be sold to a bookmaker, and yet seems thoroughly satisfied with its contribution to the racing industry.

Just two items that point towards the conclusion that the comatose atmosphere at number 75 needs to be woken up by a strong character with flashing eyes, a loud voice, a bull whip and a burning desire to make British Racing the envy of the globe, or die in the attempt.

WHIP

A word en passant about the Whip. In 2011 a BHA committee had spent a year debating Whip Rules. As one might have expected, not a single jockey was invited to take part in the debate or to look at the conclusions, and when the new rules were revealed they were so extreme that they might have been talking about a submachine gun rather than a padded cane. Reaction: the jockeys were on the point of going on strike and Richard Hughes (was he not champion jockey that year?) threw his licence onto a table at which a team of stewards were taking their tea break, and told them he would ride no more under the restrictions they had cobbled together.

Now it just so happened that Paul Bittar, one of the truly great Racing administrators, was in England, preparing to become Chief Executive of the BHA the following spring. Ignoring the fact that he was not in office he summoned the two sides of the argument and knocked their heads together. “When I come back in March,” he said, “I want the people to be talking about Cheltenham, not about the bloody whip. Sort it out!” When he came back, the war was over, Cheltenham was the topic of the month, and the re-vamped whip rules have proved sound for the last nine years.

SAVILL

I happened to notice a British Bittar just the other day (via television). Peter Savill was Chairman of the BHA (then called BHB) from 1998 to 2004. He woke up the sleeping workhorse in no uncertain manner and did a lot of good. His final trick was a plan to harvest a copyright fee from the bookmakers for all the paperwork which the betting industry requires every day to fuel its business and which the BHA provides. Two British judges approved, and it looked like being a medium size gold mine that would make racing comparatively prosperous for ever. The last hurdle was to collect a rubber stamp from….guess where…. Brussels, where a dodgy judgement by a panel of EU judges said “Non!” Legal opinion in many lands said the decision was perverse but there was no reprieve.

Peter Savill owns a racecourse (Plumpton, I think) and breeds horses (in Ireland). For thirty years he managed his own racing and breeding hobby and knew (and clearly still knows) everything about the state of British Racing and what it needs to do to survive and get up off its knees. If Mrs Phelps or Mrs Harrington needs a best friend to mark her card, I suggest that one or other lady should invite him to tea.

SEASONAL GREETINGS  If something relevant and shocking emerges I might be in touch before the New Year)

If not, happy new year.

Donec