Rust: fee increase essential for BHA to meet responsibilities

Fees paid by racecourses and owners to the BHA are set to rise by three per cent in 2019, with chief executive Nick Rust saying the increase was "essential" for the governing body to meet its growing responsibilities.

The increase was set out in the BHA's updated business plan for 2019 and came in slightly below the 3.15 per cent rise originally budgeted for next year.

Around 93 per cent of the BHA's annual income is generated by fees paid by racecourses and owners, according to the business plan, which also sets out the six key areas of focus identified by the BHA for 2019.