Rust heartened by integrity commitment with owners' experience at core of report

The bloodstock industry's commitment to integrity and transparency has been welcomed by the BHA in the wake of its release of the much-anticipated review into the sales sector of the sport.

The work was commissioned in 2017 and undertaken by Justin Felice – a top police officer – at the behest of the BHA board which, according to chief executive Nick Rust, was "concerned about the perception of unethical practices and experiences" and the detrimental impact that might have on existing and potential owners.

Rust said they should enjoy first-class experiences on and off the racecourse and called for all parties involved to "accept the basic findings of the report and work with the BHA to shape and implement all recommendations".

They include licensing agents and robust regulation from British racing's governing body in light of previous codes of practice not being fit for purpose according to one owner spoken to in the report, which stated: "Against this background of inaction, limited regulation and confusion an environment has been created to help the improper practices to develop and thrive.

"The upshot of the absence of any effective monitoring, regulation and enforcement regime around the code is that anyone wishing to partake in any improper practice has been able to do so with impunity in the knowledge that the chances of anyone in the industry even reporting them were almost zero, and the risk of any BHA disciplinary proceedings under the code was more or less non-existent."

Stamping out the payment of luck money was one recommendation in the bloodstock reviewCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stamping out secret profiteering and the payment of luck money – a process relating to a vendor paying an agent to help smooth the sale of a horse and consequently constituting potential criminal offences – were also recommended, while a Bloodstock Industry Forum (BIF) has already been established.

In response to the review, Rust said on Thursday: "The BHA is pleased to be part of the Bloodstock Industry Forum and to be working closely with the other BIF members in response to the recommendations of the review published today.

"We recognise the commitment from leaders in this sector of the racing industry to integrity and transparency and look forward to engaging with the BIF to agree how both are enhanced in the context of the findings of our review.

"We have published our findings in accordance with our commitment as a regulator to openness and accountability and will work collaboratively to build on the progress already made by the BIF in the new year."

The report also detailed the need for Britain and Ireland to come together to help implement its suggestions.

One breeder thought the "BHA needs the support of Ireland in this", while a sales house agreed, adding: "anything the review recommends must be replicated in Ireland" and an owner commented there was a "need to be careful that the UK and the Irish are in line about this".

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, which has responsibility for the governance, development and promotion of the industry, concurred with those sentiments.

"I haven't read the report but I'm familiar with the principles and think it would be generally agreed that you cannot do something of this nature in isolation," he said.

Brian Kavanagh: Horse Racing Ireland chief is keen to work with the BHA in implementing the review findingsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"The sales scene in Ireland and Britain is effectively one industry, with the same participants, both in terms of sales companies and often with buyers and sellers. We had a meeting last Friday with the BHA's Annamarie Phelps and with the representatives of the sales companies, and with the Bloodstock Industry Forum in the UK.

"HRI, the IHRB [Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board] and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association sat down with them and had a general discussion about expanding the BIF to become a British-Irish body, which would cover representatives of the industry in both countries.

"And then look to develop a code of conduct that could apply in both countries. They were the general principles that were being discussed and I think there was a general positivity towards moving forward jointly rather than separately.

"That said, the devil is in the detail and the report has just been published, but there has been a voluntary code of conduct with the sales companies, and that applied in both countries. It would seem to me that any future arrangements, it would be sensible that they apply in both countries."

Dual Derby-winning trainer Luca Cumani, who runs a breeding operation with wife Sara, is a member of the BHA's board.

On behalf of the National Trainers Federation, he added: "The NTF will also be looking at ways to strengthen the integrity message to all of its members and to introducing an integrity module as part of the trainer licensing process.

"We're looking forward to working with the BHA to achieve real progress in this area and as a group BIF is committed to regularly communicating and, when necessary, updating our integrity message to all participants."

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards