Non-runners drop by 23 per cent as BHA crackdown begins to bite

It's not just the World Cup and the weather – there's also good news in racing's battle with the blight of non-runners.

The BHA crackdown on withdrawals, which harm turnover as they play havoc with betting markets and also hit jockeys in the pocket, appears to be working.

Figures released for the first half of the year revealed a 23 per cent drop in non-runners compared with 2017, defections as a proportion of declarations tumbling from 9.4 per cent to 7.2 per cent.

BHA chief operating officer Richard Wayman said: "We outlined when we published the recommendations from the non-runner review last year it was essential we took action on non-runners, as they have a negative impact on our sport, as well as those who work in it and follow it.

"We now have six months of data by which to measure the success of the recommendations, which shows a 23 per cent reduction in non-runners compared to the same period in 2017.

"There will always be a number of unavoidable and valid reasons for horses not being able to run, and therefore there will always be non-runners, but it's pleasing to see the non-runner rate fall in the way it has.

"However, it's still early days and we'll continue to monitor the situation, and hope and expect the positive trend to continue."

As part of the BHA review, restrictions are placed on trainers whose withdrawal rate is 50 per cent above the average non-runner rate. Sylvester Kirk is the only one whose yearly figure is currently above the threshold – and his rate has dropped to well below the limit in the three months since he fell foul of the initiative.

Wayman added: "One of the objectives of the recommendations from the review was to target those trainers who are consistently producing high non-runner rates and hope to alter their behaviour, without impacting on those who are not causing an issue.

"As such it's pleasing to see only one trainer now operating above the agreed thresholds."

Professional Jockeys Association executive director Dale Gibson said: "We lobbied hard for the review and are delighted the initiative has instigated a reduction.

"However, we strongly feel there is more to be done on frivolous withdrawals due to ground when it hasn't materially changed or a horse is a non-runner on exactly the same ground that it then runs on."

Dale Gibson: warns there is more still to be done

Horseracing Bettors Forum chair Matt Bisogno said the reduction will be music to the ears of punters and added: "HBF welcomes this news having lobbied for a crackdown on non-runners since our inception.

"The significant reduction in non-runners is a clear indication things had previously been allowed to get out of hand, and that action was overdue. All stakeholders in the sport should be satisfied this has been a positive step forward for British racing."

Bookmakers would certainly agree it has been.

Coral's David Stevens said: "While there will always be unavoidable reasons for horses becoming non-runners, we welcomed the steps the BHA took to reduce numbers as withdrawals are frustrating for punters and bookmakers.

"The evidence showing these initiatives are having a positive impact on non-runner numbers is also to be welcomed, as it can only be a step forward for betting turnover on the sport."

David Stevens: 'It can only be a step forward'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Paul Binfield of Paddy Power said: "This reduction in non-runners is magnificent for the sport, bookmakers and punters alike, and we wholeheartedly applaud the action taken by the BHA.

"There will, of course, always be genuine factors as to why horses are unable to compete, but it's essential the reasons why they are withdrawn are always bona fide, and this initiative certainly seems to be assisting in achieving this noble goal."

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams added: "The initiative has been fantastic for racing. One of punters' biggest bugbears is eight-runner fields that drop to seven, and the fall in non-runners means this has been reduced."

January-June non-runnersin Britain

2018 7.2 per cent of declarations were non-runners
2017 9.4 per cent of declarations were non-runners

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