Major racecourses demand urgent reform after Lord Allen quits as BHA chair

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Lord Allen's resignation as BHA chair after just six months has triggered an extraordinary racecourse revolt, with Ascot leading a group of Britain's most powerful tracks in a call for urgent governance reform.

News of Allen's departure from the BHA at 9.18am on Tuesday was followed 22 minutes later by a call from the Jockey Club and leading courses Ascot, Goodwood, Newbury and York for an urgent review of the Racecourse Association's (RCA) governance "to support industry change".

The ultimatum included an endorsement for the establishment of a new, independent board at the BHA, which had been one of Allen's conditions for joining the organisation in the first place. 

The signatories made it clear they wanted more say in key decisions affecting the sport, while Ascot's chief executive Felicity Barnard said it would be prepared to leave the RCA if necessary. Thoroughbred Group chairman Julian Richmond-Watson also gave his support to an independent BHA board.

The long-expected news that Allen had resigned came after the governing body's members failed to reach an agreement on reforms to create an independent board and a more commercial remit. It followed weeks of growing speculation that his position was in doubt, prompted by a stalemate between Allen and the sport's other major power brokers – racecourses and racing's participants.

Allen said in a statement: "Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed. I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future."

• Comment: The architects of chaos: racing's leaders own this failure completely 

Allen's swift departure comes despite having been lauded as a candidate of "outstanding calibre" when his appointment was announced in November 2024.

The BHA's senior independent director David Jones said: "The board would like to thank Charles for the time and effort that he has put into the role helping us to develop a vision that is aspirational and achievable, and we regret that we were unable to put in place at this time the governance changes that would have enabled us to progress this. I have enjoyed working with him and wish him continued success."

Allen's short but controversial time at the BHA eventually began in September last year, rather than in June as had been originally planned, as he made the creation of an independent board a condition for his joining.

Lord Allen only took over the role in September 2025Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Within weeks of starting he came into conflict with stakeholders over discussions for a new approach to commercialising raceday data rights that was fiercely opposed by racecourses, which had expected their existing terms would continue once the current deal ends in 2028.

The impasse meant that the courses would not sign off on reforms including the introduction of an independent BHA board unless he backed down.

The situation developed into a standoff as representatives of the BHA's participant shareholders – the Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and licensed personnel – said they would not agree to governance changes if Allen relented.

• Fifteen months that led British racing to crisis point: a timeline of Lord Allen's troubled tenure as BHA chair

It is understood Allen did eventually relent on the data rights issue in favour of the racecourses, which subsequently led to the participants asking him to resign.

The upheaval lies behind the surprise move from Ascot and others to write to RCA chairman Wilf Walsh, calling for a formal governance review of the organisation and requesting a proposal for reform by the end of April.

The courses in question said their objectives were aimed at ensuring the RCA "board and voting representation is balanced and credible", that "significant views from key racecourses can influence outcomes", and that "the organisation can act decisively on matters affecting the wider industry".

The signatories said they supported "strong central leadership for British racing by the BHA, enabled by the establishment of an independent BHA board", and that they believed the present governance arrangements "prevent timely and effective decision-making".

Ascot's chief executive Felicity Barnard said Lord Allen's departure was "hugely disappointing"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Barnard described the news of Allen's departure as "hugely disappointing", as well as being frustrating from Ascot's perspective.

She added: "We feel it really is now time to ask for the governance review of the RCA. The RCA manages us and our interests within the BHA and it's important that we feel as racecourses that we are represented in the right way.

"At the moment we don't feel we are represented, nor have the influence that perhaps we would like. That's really important because those signatories really are looking at how we can future proof the sport for the next 50 years."

Barnard said they had voiced concerns over this issue before but that they were hopeful matters could be resolved within the existing structures. However, she added: "I think it is actually for the wider industry to come together again round the table and look at that structure and see if there are some changes that we can all make together.

"If by the end of April we're not able to do that then we would be prepared to leave [the RCA] and then we would need to understand Ascot's position and role."

Jockey Club group chief executive Jim Mullen also voiced his disappointment that "the status quo has prevailed". 

"We do not see this as a win for the sport," he added. "The case for change and an independent BHA board is proven by what has unfolded and why we have acted as we have in calling for change at the RCA."

The RCA has yet to comment on developments, while Arena Racing Company declined the opportunity.

The BHA board will now discuss what interim arrangements will be put in place following Allen's departure. Jones has held the position of interim chair of the BHA previously.

There had been speculation that Brant Dunshea, who has been acting chief executive of the BHA since the start of 2025, would be appointed permanently.

The BHA statement in full

The British Horseracing Authority regrets to announce that Lord (Charles) Allen has resigned as chair.

Lord Allen had been nominated as chair late in 2024 after a search. He took up his post in September 2025.

Lord Allen took the role after the member organisations of the BHA (Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and licensed personnel) unanimously agreed that there should be a completely independent board and that the BHA should have a commercial remit.

The members, who currently nominate representatives to the board, have not been able to reach agreement between themselves on changing the rules of the BHA to allow the achievement of those two goals as a change to the Articles requires unanimous support. Accordingly, Lord Allen has resigned.

David Jones the senior independent director of the BHA said: “The board would like to thank Charles for the time and effort that he has put into the role helping us to develop a vision that is aspirational and achievable, and we regret that we were unable to put in place at this time the governance changes that would have enabled us to progress this. I have enjoyed working with him and wish him continued success.”

Lord Allen said “Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed. I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future.”

​Read more:

The architects of chaos: racing's leaders own this failure completely 

Fifteen months that led British racing to crisis point: a timeline of Lord Allen's troubled tenure as BHA chair 

Lord Allen's departure is imminent - but after this latest unholy mess, who on earth would want to replace him as BHA chair?

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