BHA imposes deadlines for weighing room upgrades
Racecourses are also required to provide a dedicated warm-up area, including the necessary equipment, by no later than July 31 this year.
There are 14 racecourses who have completed their upgrades already, including at York where a female valet is based in the women's changing area, and 14 further tracks are expected to finish their redevelopments in 2025.
The remainder of British tracks have to observe the new deadlines, and dispensation will only be considered should issues arise that are beyond the venue's immediate control, such as delays due to heritage listings, planning restrictions or environmental damage from, for example, flooding or fire.
Brant Dunshea, the BHA's acting chief executive officer, said: 'Our jockeys are elite athletes and the facilities they use should reflect this. We understand the disappointment that the work has taken longer than expected, especially as where racecourses have completed their upgrades, the new layout works well and the feedback is very positive.
'The firm deadlines we are announcing today are hopefully a significant step forward. They are underpinned by clear regulatory action and linked directly to a racecourse's licence to hold fixtures.
'We hope that this action provides reassurance to jockeys, valets, officials and everyone else operating in a weighing room on a raceday about our commitment to delivering the necessary improvements – and doing so as quickly as possible.'
The Professional Jockeys Association has criticised the BHA's deadlines, saying members will have to use 'sub-standard and discriminatory facilities' for a further two years, with the riders' group considering the 'next steps' to be taken.
A statement read: 'On the surface, this announcement from the BHA is a positive step forward. However, on closer inspection this doesn't really change anything other than enforcing existing BHA General Instructions on warm-up areas/equipment and ensuring that all Jockey Club Racecourse venues complete by the end of 2027 rather than 2030, which we know from recent discussions with JCR that they were already planning.
'We are therefore extremely disappointed, particularly on behalf of our significant female membership, with the BHA board for its continued failure to grip this issue whilst dressingup their decision as progress.
'We are effectively in the position we were at the start of 2024 when the BHA board and Racecourse Association agreed to extend the completion deadline from October 2024 to December 2027, a decision we vehemently opposed.
'We would like to reiterate our sincere thanks to those racecourses who have already completed the upgrades or are very close to doing so. We also welcome the new-found focus and engagement from many racecourses on this project following recent media coverage of the inadequate and often discriminatory facilities our members have had to endure at many racecourses.
'Given the financial climate, we could have accepted some delay to the completion of the project if the works would be complete for a racecourse's first fixture of their new season in 2026. But we cannot accept that our members will have to endure sub-standard and discriminatory facilities at up to 12 racecourses well into 2027 and we will have to consider our next steps.'
The RCA feels the BHA announcement provides 'clarity' with those completing upgrades by the end of next year having a 'suitable time' to complete their projects, while the December 2027 deadline gives 'a clear backstop to agree a costed and feasible plan' for tracks continuing work beyond 2026.
It added: 'The RCA will continue to work closely with colleagues at the BHA and PJA via the project working group to support our members in meeting these timelines. We would echo the statement made by the BHA for any areas of concern held by participants with regards to weighing rooms to be reported as soon as possible, so that we may review and take action if needed.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion United
9 hours ago
- Fashion United
Paul Smith extends Fashion Residency programme to US with CFDA
British designer Paul Smith has expanded his brand's existing Fashion Residency programme to students in the US. In partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), for the initiative's second edition the Paul Smith Foundation will be selecting one American designer to join the residency at Studio Smithfield in London. The inaugural US participant, who will be part of the Paul Smith's Foundation x CFDA Designer-in-Residence, will join six UK-based designers in receiving a 400 square foot studio space for 12 months, supported by Projekt. Each designer will also receive mentoring from industry leaders, business-planning training, a visa, flights and living expenses. Applications for the second cohort of the programme have now been opened, with shortlisted candidates associated with the CFDA-led arm to begin interviews in September 2025. Designer Paul Smith will oversee the selection process alongside CFDA president, Steven Kolb, and vice president of program strategies/education and sustainability initiatives at CFDA, Sara Kozlowski. Launched in 2024, Paul Smith founded the Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield programme alongside the Mayor of London and Projekt. Through it, select young designers are given access to set workspace and a training programme, the latter designed by the Paul Smith's Foundation, which matches participants with industry professionals. In a statement, Kolb said: 'Fashion is truly a global business, and an opportunity such as this will provide one American talent with invaluable experience and exposure in an international market. The chance to work alongside peers in the UK fosters creative exchange, builds cross-cultural understanding, and strengthens our industry as a whole. We are deeply grateful to Sir Paul Smith for his continued collaboration and dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent.'
Rhyl Journal
10 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Students accepted on UK degree courses reaches record high
A total of 439,180 applicants have gained a place at university or college – up 3.1% on the same point last year, according to data published by the university admissions service. Ucas said it is the highest number of placed students on results day on record. Overall, 82% of UK 18-year-old applicants awaiting a decision on results day secured their first choice – which was the same proportion as last year. For 18-year-olds in the UK, 255,130 applicants have been accepted onto a university or college course – up 4.7% on last year, which is a record high. The number of international students who have been accepted on to undergraduate courses has risen by 2.9% – from 51,170 last year to 52,640. Accepted applicants from China (12,380) are up 13% compared with last year. The figures come as universities have been warning of financial pressures because of uncertainty about the recruitment of overseas students as well as years of frozen tuition fees for domestic students. University leaders have suggested the Government's plans for immigration could deter international students from coming to the UK and exacerbate the financial challenges faced by British universities. Under the immigration white paper proposals, graduate visas will be reduced to 18 months and a new levy on income that universities generate from international students could be introduced. Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith of Malvern said the complete picture on international student demand will not be known 'for some time' as many are postgraduates who do not apply through Ucas. She told the PA news agency: 'We've been clear, whether or not it's whilst thinking about the immigration white paper, or the welcome we provide to students, that we will always continue to welcome the very brightest and best to come to this country to study in our universities. 'Whilst we're pleased for students to take advantage of world-leading higher education institutions, we're not prepared for them to take advantage of our immigration system.' When asked whether she believes a university could go bust this academic year because of financial pressures, Baroness Smith told PA: 'I think we're taking the action necessary to safeguard our higher education institutions.' She said: 'Were we to face a situation where a university got into trouble, our top priority would be how we protect students and it's sensible to plan for that. 'That doesn't mean that I think that that is imminently going to happen.' Speaking on A-level results day, the education minister added: 'We've always been clear that the priority in the case of any university, for whatever reason, closing down would be the ongoing support of the students.' Baroness Smith said she expected universities to have 'plans to protect students' in the event of any course closures and for the Office for Students (OfS) to 'keep a close eye' on it. Ucas data also showed regional disparities remain in university access, with the gap between north-east England and London the highest on record. Overall, 24.9% of 18-year-olds from north-east England secured a university place on results day, compared with 43.4% of 18-year-olds from London. The gap is now 18.5 percentage points, up from 17.3 percentage points last year and 11.9 percentage points in 2019. Jo Saxton, chief executive of Ucas, told PA: 'The North East is the only region in England that has seen a decrease in participation today. 'That is just incredibly stark.' The Ucas figures released on Thursday also show that the subjects with the largest percentage increases in placed students this year are engineering and technology, mathematical sciences and law. Dr Saxton said: 'I think Ucas applicants have always been savvy and think about what is going to give them the best outcomes.' She added: 'This year's students were just thirteen when the pandemic hit, and their secondary schooling was turned upside down. 'It's great to see these applicants securing a university place in record numbers, seeking more education and investing in their futures. 'I am equally delighted to see how universities across the country have responded to their ambition. 'For any student who didn't quite get the grades they were hoping for, or even those still yet to apply, there are plenty of options in clearing with around 27,000 available courses. 'Ucas experts are also available on the phones, on social media and on the Ucas website, to help all those deciding on the next step that's right for them.'
Rhyl Journal
10 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Trainer Bill Turner dies aged 78
Turner, who was based in Sigwells in Somerset, was a former jockey and as a trainer became synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, having won the traditional first race of the Flat turf season six times. He had been in a serious condition in hospital after reportedly fracturing his skull in a fall on Monday and his daughter, Kathy, announced his death on Thursday afternoon. Speaking at Chepstow racecourse, she told Sky Sports Racing: 'Dad passed away about an hour and a half ago. 'We got the call in the lorry, I'd made the decision to come here, the horse (Red Snapper) was to run in dad's name in his honour, whatever had happened he would have wanted that. 'He slipped away this morning. The support from everyone in racing has been absolutely outstanding. I've tried to reply to as many people as I could, but I am so sorry if I haven't replied to you or someone else. The love that man had was absolute. 'He wasn't just my dad and my sister's dad and Ryan's grandfather, he was everyone's dad and the people who he has helped in their careers saw him as a dad. 'He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops but unfortunately it was a freak accident. 'I still can't get round that this injury has done this to him, as I've pulled him out from such serious injuries on the gallops. Only last Sunday he was re-felting my sister's salon roof.' Mick's Yer Man was Turner's last Brocklesby winner in 2013 and that victory held special significance. Kathy Turner added: 'His best ever moment was when Ryan (While, grandson) won the Brocklesby on Mick's Yer Man.' In a statement British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea said: 'Everybody at the BHA is deeply saddened by the news of Bill Turner's death. My thoughts, along with my colleagues at the BHA and everyone involved in the sport, are with Bill's family and friends, as well as everyone who works at the yard. 'Bill was a wonderful stalwart of our sport. He poured his heart and soul into racing, both as a jockey and then a trainer, and we will particularly miss his annual runner in the Brocklesby Stakes, which he won an impressive six times. 'We will do everything we can to support the yard during this incredibly challenging period.'
