BHA to review procedures after offensively named filly's Wolverhampton debut

The BHA has instructed a filly to be renamed and issued an apology after she made her debut at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening under a racially offensive name.

The sport's governing body said it was "deeply concerned" about how the name had been sanctioned and was reviewing its processes.

The David Evans-owned and trained three-year-old will now go by the name Jungle Bells, after the BHA was made aware of the derogatory original name before the filly finished sixth of 11 in the fillies' novice event behind Ffion.

The BHA issued an apology on Saturday evening, and on Sunday head of media Robin Mounsey said: “We reiterate today the apology that was issued yesterday after the horse ran. Racist language is not tolerated in our sport, whether intentional or accidental.

“We are opposed to racism and prejudice in all its forms and are committed to making British racing an open, diverse and inclusive industry that is welcoming to all.

“We have taken steps today to ensure the horse was renamed immediately. It is now called Jungle Bells. This will be reflected in records of the race result and horse form."

Mounsey added: “We are deeply concerned as to how this happened and are reviewing the processes for approving the names of racehorses.”

Evans could not be contacted by the Racing Post on Sunday.

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