Johnny Levins: ban on Irish runners in low-level handicaps is 'just wrong'

Irish trainer Johnny Levins has hit out at the BHA for doubling-down on a rule preventing overseas-trained horses from competing in low-level handicaps in Britain and argued the protectionist attitude summed up why British-trained runners were getting "taken to the cleaners" at the Cheltenham Festival.

Horses trained outside Britain have been unable to contest Class 5 races or below since racing resumed in June 2020 after the first coronavirus lockdown, a move leading jumps trainer Gordon Elliott labelled 'an absolute joke' last month.

Despite dissatisfaction being voiced by trainers in Ireland over the ban, the BHA said on Friday it had no plans to revisit the ruling, with chief operating officer Richard Wayman outlining how data on field sizes, elimination of lower-grade horses and handicapping meant the cross-industry Racing Group felt there was no need for a revision.

However, Levins took to Twitter to voice his frustration, saying “it is simply just wrong”, and claimed British racing should be seeking bigger fields with more competition.

“It’s a shame that the BHA can’t come out and admit they just don’t want us over there,” he said. “They say the field sizes are 9.47 in Class 5 and 6 races as opposed to 8.9 in all races. Is that what they are really aspiring to?

“Obviously, Irish raiders are going to have a higher strike-rate as with the expense involved in travelling we are going to send only horses we feel have a live chance, and second, our 0-65 racing is extremely competitive with regular fields of 16 runners-plus.

“This definitely helps condition our horses, whereas the BHA's attitude is a microcosm of the overall attitude of UK trainers and their jumps race programme, whereby they are happy to prep their horses in uncompetitive small-field races, then wonder why the big Irish trainers take them to the cleaners come Cheltenham Festival time.”

Johnny Levins: 'It's a shame they can't admit they just don't want us'Credit: Patrick McCann

Levins, who has saddled ten winners from 54 runners in Britain, thinks the authorities should start working together to resolve the issue.

“If handicapping is an issue, surely it is up to their handicappers to work with our handicappers and come up with a united solution, rather than ignore a large proportion of the Irish horseracing industry,” said Levins.

“Perhaps a mandatory 5lb penalty, so everyone knows exactly where they stand.”

On Friday, the BHA provided statistical data to support its view, arguing that field sizes in low-grade handicaps were the least troubling area of the programme book, while they also claimed the success rate of overseas-trained horses in such races was disproportionate.

Michael Grassick: says the IRTA has written numerous times to the BHACredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Michael Grassick, chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association, said they had been in regular contact with the BHA but little was being done in response.

Grassick added: “We’ve been writing to the BHA for over a year since this rule was first introduced. We don’t understand the reasoning and that’s just being honest.

“We have also made applications to HRI who, to their credit, have done the best they can for us, but the BHA simply will not budge on this issue.

“We have spoken to numerous British racecourses and they have told us they want the runners. It’s just disappointing.”

Read more on this . . .

BHA has 'no plan to revisit' ban on overseas runners in low-grade handicaps

Fix bias towards foreign runners in handicaps, urge British trainers (Members' Club)

'That's not fair' – O'Brien backs Elliott's call to open races to Irish runners

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