Racing needs to be proactive and positive on welfare says BHA chair Phelps

British racing needs to grasp the moral argument around the use of horses in sport by taking a more proactive and positive approach to communicating its welfare message, new BHA chair Annamarie Phelps has urged.

Phelps, who stepped into her position in June, also acknowledged a role for social media and celebrity endorsements in helping to push the message racing wanted.

A new Horse Welfare Board has already been created by the BHA to work with stakeholders on welfare issues, while there have been calls from leading industry figures to create a National Racehorse Day to showcase equine care and wellbeing in the sport.