'Fundamental shift' - ex-BHA chairman on how racing can influence those in power

Former BHA chairman Steve Harman said on Sunday that racing's push to highlight its exemplary standards of welfare can only succeed if the industry adopts a more professional approach to dealing with government and other political actors.

He joined the broad industry welcome to the Horse Welfare Board's report on the future welfare strategy for British racing, which was published last week.

But Harman, who was present at the conception of the Horse Welfare Board's mission in 2018, says the success of the "A Life Worth Living" report depends on the sport's leaders being prepared to follow other industries and bring in outside help in order to effectively lobby parliament and present a scientific and fact-based case to the public.