Trainer Johnny Farrelly 'permanently excluded' from British racing

Trainer Johnny Farrelly has been banned from racing for a minimum of seven years under safeguarding regulations, the BHA has announced in a statement.

Farrelly, who has trained from his yard in Somerset since 2013, had a five-day hearing with the National Safeguarding Panel at which he was found to be in breach of six offences under regulation four, which details prohibited conduct with young persons and adults at risk. There was a further breach under section six which was not specified.

The BHA said further details would not be released. His permanent exclusion from the sport starts on Tuesday, October 5. He will also have the right to a review of the exclusion after a period of seven years.

A statement from Farrelly, sent by the National Trainers Federation (NTF), confirmed the trainer planned to appeal against his ban.

BHA safeguarding regulations

4. Prohibited conduct and the protection of young persons and adults at risk

4.1 No Person may (i) engage, or attempt or threaten to engage, in conduct that directly or indirectly harms the welfare of one or more Young Persons or Adults at Risk, and/or (ii) pose a risk of harm to one or more Young Persons or Adults at Risk.

NOTE: (a) 'Harm' is not a narrow concept, and can mean different things in different contexts. Reference should be made to the BHA Safeguarding Policy. (b) It is not necessary for conduct (or attempted or threatened conduct) to take place in the context of racing activities. For example (and without limitation), in the event that a Person is convicted or cautioned for, or charged with, any offence that concerns harm to one or more young persons or adults at risk (whether or not those young persons or adults at risk participate in racing), that may form the basis of action under these BHA Safeguarding Regulations as a result of that Person posing a risk of harm (regardless of whether or not the relevant offence, or alleged offence, took place in the context of racing activities).

4.2 No Person may knowingly employ, engage or otherwise instruct any individual who, in undertaking the activities for which they are employed, engaged or instructed, poses a foreseeable risk of harm to Young Persons or Adults at Risk.

Giving more details of the background to the case, BHA director of integrity and regulation Tim Naylor said: "Everyone who works in British racing must be willing to call out and stand up to any behaviours which fall short of the values of openness, inclusivity and respect on which our sport is built.

"We're extremely grateful to the people who came forward in this case to highlight the concerns which eventually led to today's finding. It was as a result of the brave actions of these people, reporting concerns via the sport's confidential RaceWISE reporting line, that we have been able to successfully bring this case to a conclusion."

Naylor added: "This was a lengthy and complex investigation which called deeply on the expertise of the sport's dedicated safeguarding unit, who deserve great praise.

"It also utilised the independent expertise of the National Safeguarding Panel to ensure that any verdict was provided by a fully independent, specialised arbitration process.

"We cannot comment further on the details of the case as they are confidential and we are bound by the NSP's rules around disclosure."

Farrelly statement

Safeguarding measures are in place to protect health, welfare and the human rights of individuals, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults. In January 2019, the BHA introduced a policy and regulations which were "tailored for racing".

A statement from the NTF on behalf of Farrelly said: "I intend to appeal against today's findings and will therefore make no further comment about the hearing.

"I would also like it to be known that a police investigation concluded with no charges in relation to my conduct."

Former jockey Farrelly, 36, has trained 130 jumps winners in Britain, and a further 19 on the Flat, with his biggest winner coming at Listed level in the Future Stars Intermediate Chase with Amore Alato in 2016.

He has 24 horses in training, and has had five winners this season with Outlaw Jack, who was pulled up at Plumpton on September 19, his most recent runner.

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