BHA in firing line again as David Bass leads defence of weighing-room culture

Jockeys past and present have defended the weighing-room culture criticised in the investigation into allegations of bullying made by Bryony Frost against fellow rider Robbie Dunne, calling on the BHA to get its house in order over the prolonged complaint that dates back to 2017 and culminated in a second racing incident in September last year.

The BHA has referred itself to the Information Commissioner after concluding the 120-page investigators' report may have been leaked from within its own integrity department. That document revealed charges had been brought against Dunne for "conduct prejudicial to the integrity or good reputation" and outlined Frost's belief there was ongoing ill feeling between the two riders. Dunne denied the allegations.

After interviewing other jockeys and valets, the BHA investigators concluded in the report that "there is a cultural issue in which threatening behaviour is condoned and not reported in the weighing room. It is submitted that it is likely that this is why it has been difficult for the BHA to gather detailed witness evidence from occupants of the weighing room".