BHA imposes deadlines for weighing room upgrades
Racecourses that have committed to complete the required work by December 31, 2026 may face sanctions if they fail to do so, whereas the remaining 12 racecourses have until then end of December 2027 to comply or they will be unable to stage a fixture until the redevelopment has been completed.
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 dressing
up 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.'
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