Cooper describes bullying at less prestigious sales as 'absolutely horrendous'

Philippa Cooper, of prominent consignor Normandie Stud, has called for the investigation into bloodstock practices to result in sweeping changes, especially at the less prestigious sales where she described the bullying and threatening behaviour as "absolutely horrendous".

Cooper was speaking following the leaked BHA-sponsored report by former senor policeman Justin Felice, which highlighted unethical practices employed by a minority of bloodstock agents.

Cooper said it was at the lower levels the sport most needs to improve. "People say it's okay for me because I operate at the top end. But I have been at Doncaster selling filly foals and I know when you get to that level it's absolutely horrendous," she said.

"The smaller breeders need to move on their horses, they have to, and that is when the threatening and bullying really comes in. That's where I experienced more threats and intimidation, at that level.

"When we're in October 1 [Tattersalls Book 1] it's slightly different, yes there's still the backhanders and everything, but it's not as bad because you hope you've got a nice horse. But when you move down that's when you encounter the intimidation and bullying, which I can't stand. It's back to the playground."

Cooper welcomed the review's findings but said she wants to see changes before declaring the exercise a success. She added: "It's been a long time coming.

"I think a lot of people felt it would all die down and be forgotten, and I think most people hoped that would happen. People said to me, 'You won't be able to change anything, this is how it works and has always worked, just maintain the status quo', which was the attitude of a lot of people.

"Let's hope this can go on, it's all very well reading a report but these things have to be implemented and that will be the interesting part. There's a number of really good things in there [the report], I think we need a new code of practice, it's not fit for purpose, and most of the points were very important.

"At the moment it is just a report, but the most important thing is people can feel if a misdemeanour is committed they can report it – and something will be done about it. In the past nothing has been done."

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