Whoever wins the election, racing must accept welfare scrutiny warns BHA chair

British racing has been warned that the issue of racehorse welfare will not be going away whatever the result of the general election, and that the sport risks having change forced upon it if it does not open up to greater external scrutiny.

The message came from BHA chair Annamarie Phelps, who was speaking at the 249th Gimcrack Dinner at York racecourse on Tuesday night.

She also told guests that the controversial review of the bloodstock sector carried out by the BHA would be published before Christmas.

Racehorse welfare has been mentioned in both the Labour and Liberal Democrat manifestos in the lead-up to Thursday's poll.

Phelps said: "The sport’s right to regulate itself on horse welfare has been challenged by two of the main UK parties in this election, with one focused on the issue of the whip.

"Whoever wins or loses, this challenge isn’t going away. If racing wants to retain self?regulation, it will need to show, in my view, greater external scrutiny of horse welfare standards. If racing doesn’t ensure this, it may be forced upon us."

Phelps said the sport's new Horse Welfare Board would be publishing its industry strategy in the New Year, and that it would show racing "to be leading, not reacting to the conversation about the participation of horses in sport".

She warned that the strategy would challenge all in racing, including the BHA, adding: "If we were all entirely comfortable with it, we wouldn’t be pushing ourselves hard enough.

"If we want to change people’s attitudes and win over those who are neutral about racing – at the very least ensure they are not won over by our critics – we need to be doing something different.

"But doing something different is not always comfortable or easy. This is an opportunity to get on the front foot – demonstrating that the power of racing is matched by the responsibility we take for our horses."

The BHA has been criticised for its approach to equine welfare by other stakeholders in the sport, but Phelps argued the governing body is well respected in government and across sport integrity circles.

"Our focus early next year will undoubtedly be to identify new supporters from the 150-plus new MPs we expect to see, and ensure our voice is heard on everything from Brexit to betting," she said.

BHA: come in for criticism over regulation

The BHA has also come in for criticism over regulation, while its potential involvement in regulation of the bloodstock sector has also raised tensions.

The governing body commissioned a review and report into the buying and selling of horses but anger among some sections of the industry over what they claim were leaks of the review's findings have led to the BHA being frozen out of meetings held by the Bloodstock Industry Forum, which contains representatives of breeders, agents, owners, trainers and the two major sales houses.

Phelps' comments suggested that situation remained the case, and she held out an olive branch.

"Some want us to be more involved in protecting buyers at the sales," she said. "Mind you, some of you don’t believe it is necessary at all. Which ever side of the fence you sit on, we will publish the review we did of the buying and selling of horses before Christmas.

"Our board will decide whether we play a role in providing assurance to buyers at the sales when we see what actions the Bloodstock Industry Forum is proposing to take.

"The onus must now be on the forum to decide if it wants the BHA involved in maintaining the confidence of their customers. We’re ready to assist."

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