Mr Nick Rust getting...

Story just emphasises the kind of bubble that Beckett, Johnston and others inhabit.

Perhaps they should just stick to doing what they think they are good at.

its all about them , the future of the uk hinges on MJ getting his hot 2yo to the track in 2 weeks

will revive and lift the nation

Beckett,and Mark Johnston shut the f**k up.

I don't have a particular view on this specific issue.

However, I do have to believe that if almost every racecourse closed its doors completely  to horse racing ,  and re assigned its on course assets to other uses , possibly not more than about half a percent of the population would even give a damn.

I'm maybe thinking about pop concerts, food fairs, car boot sales, antique /collectors fairs, folk festivals, agricultural shows, go-karts, children's play parks, etc etc.

I'm not advocating it because of the downside to the employees and animals in the existing racing industrial complex,... but I'm pretty sure that ( apart from major racing festivals), the racecourses themselves, and the general public at large would greatly benefit from a move away from horse racing, (cleverly crafted and marketed  to specifically feed the bookmakers, and mega owners pockets),... and making a move towards creating great social event and gathering venues.

Who knows though ?.....maybe the bladdy virus lockdown has sent me ga ga 

Ralph Beckett and Mark Johnston call for resignation of BHA chief executive

Nick Rust: has held his position for six years

By Peter Scargill
UPDATED 3:43PM, APR 26 2020
 
Ralph Beckett and Mark Johnston have written to the BHA asking for the immediate resignation of its chief executive Nick Rust in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph.

The report says Beckett and Johnston are among a group of trainers who contacted Annamarie Phelps, the BHA chair, urging Rust to step down right away. They claim his actions during a crisis that has led to the deaths of more than 20,000 people in hospitals in Britain have been self-serving and pandered to public perception over the wider good of the sport.

Rust, 52, announced in January his intention to leave his role at the BHA at the end of the year having run the sport for six years after taking over from Paul Bittar following a long career in the betting industry.

The BHA has been working closely with the government over its plans for a resumption, while the government has consistently warned that sports generally must not be seen to rush ahead of its plans for an easing of the lockdown.

In an email to Phelps, Beckett wrote: "It is clear that Nick is looking after his future in this instance, but his future is not ours.

"His view isn't the view of the people who employ him, and it is my view that he should step aside. The widespread view is that the BHA is more concerned with public perception than its participants – this cannot continue."

Johnston was quoted as writing: "I can only assume that someone made a blunder in drafting the contract which allowed/required him to give one year's notice and which is now allowing him to work it.

"The cost of that blunder may be significant in monetary terms but pales into insignificance against the damage that he is doing to British racing. Our confidence in the ability of the BHA to lead British racing through this crisis is being almost entirely undermined by one man with a personal agenda. If they don't get rid of him, they will all fall on his sword."


Contacted by the Racing Post on Sunday, Beckett said: "I have no comment to make on the article in the Sunday Telegraph. The focus is on my horses, their owners and, as a member of the BHA resumption of racing group, the return of racing."

The report says trainers such as Richard Hannon and Andrew Balding had offered their support to Beckett's criticism of a BHA press release on April 15 around the extension of racing's shutdown from the end of April to an unspecified date.

However, it quotes others as saying the criticism was not fair. Champion trainer Nicky Henderson said: "As I understand it the BHA have got a very good prototype in place to go to government, which means that racing can start again safely. When government sanction this then let's go. I cannot see that the BHA or anyone else can do any more."

Responding to the emails, Phelps said to the trainers it was "wholly unacceptable to be treating anyone with such disrespect in particular from such well-respected and senior members of the industry".

'Full and unequivocal support'

In response to the article in the Sunday Telegraph, the board of the BHA issued a statement, writing: "The BHA board met briefly this morning to discuss media reporting of criticism of the BHA and its chief executive. The board – which includes members nominated by the organisations representing horsemen and racecourses – understands the pressures on all in racing at present and recognises that BHA executives benefit from constructive feedback from participants. There will be very few sports or businesses in which similar dialogue isn't going on given the nature of the crisis. The board asks that to be done in accordance with racing's values, to be respectful and not single out individuals unfairly for carrying out their role.

"The racing industry, like everyone at this time, puts the health of the public and our participants first. This was clear in our decision to suspend racing and is a central focus of our planning for resumption.

"Our CEO Nick Rust and his team are acting in support of decisions taken by an industry group, endorsed by the BHA's members committee and enacted by the BHA board. Our staff are focusing their efforts right now on planning for the resumption of racing as soon as possible. They are working in full collaboration with trainers, racecourses and others.

"Good progress has been made and racing will have detailed proposals incorporating expert medical opinion to present to government as it prepares to review the current restrictions. It is encouraging to see the positive results of our dialogue with government in weekend media reports of the government's desire for sport to resume.

"Nick, his team, and the industry colleagues with whom they are working so closely are looking forward and are united in wanting the sport to resume as soon as it is possible. They have the board's full and unequivocal support."

" Nick, his team , and the industry colleagues ".

Yes, and much as I've gambled and been involved in other aspects of this industry for 40 years , I realised long ago that the whole industry and show has ONE aim.

That is to greatly enrich the bookmaking hierarchy, the mega owners, and the top tier trainers and jockeys.

Everyone else involved in the industry seems to me to be scratching around to survive or make some kind of living.

Ofcourse, it's very cleverly constructed to attract and fascinate gamblers, and has been hugely effective for years in transferring vast amounts of wealth from the multitude of folk,  into coffers of those few people  at the top table.

I'm personally done with it now from a betting angle ,( got bored and disillusioned), but yet the package the industry presents I still find fascinating, ..and the people the gambling and racing showcase attracts, I still find to to be very witty, interesting, and knowledgeable about their " sport".

Yes, I am a bit sour these days, but I've certainly " been through the mill" with various aspects of betting and ownership.....and it's all left me more certain than  ever of the carefully designed purpose and construction of this industry.....aka sport.

However, for those of you who love a bet, and a form study....good luck to ya !

I know Nick, and the fellow has always been a little stupid.

Key racing ally rejects call from Beckett and Johnston for Rust to resign

Nick Rust: said in January he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the year

By Peter Scargill
UPDATED 5:30PM, APR 26 2020
 
A key parliamentary ally of racing has rejected the suggestion from trainers Ralph Beckett and Mark Johnston that the BHA's chief executive Nick Rust should resign over the industry's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Laurence Robertson, Conservative MP for Tewkesbury and joint-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Racing & Bloodstock, said he believed the BHA had made "good and positive preparations to be ready to race" upon any easing of lockdown restrictions and the regulator was "doing a very good job in representing racing’s interests at this time".

His comments come in stark contrast to those of Beckett and Johnston who, in leaked emails sent to BHA chair Annamarie Phelps, called for the immediate removal of Rust, claiming his actions during a crisis that has led to the deaths of more than 20,000 people in hospitals in Britain have been self-serving and pandered to public perception over the wider good of the sport.

Beckett, who the report in the Sunday Telegraph claimed was backed by trainers including Andrew Balding and Richard Hannon, was also critical of a BHA press release on April 15 around the extension of racing's shutdown from the end of April to an unspecified date.

Hannon could not be reached for comment on Sunday while Balding referred inquiries for comment to the National Trainers Federation.

The trainers' actions threaten to cast the industry in a poor light and disrupt plans that are being drawn up to put the sport in as strong a possible position to resume next month having been shut down since March 18.

Last week, Rust said that racing was on a "knife-edge" in balancing the needs to restart the sport while not being out of step with the government and mood of the public.

In response to the trainers' comments, the BHA board said it was "fully and unequivocally" behind Rust, who announced in January he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the year, and Robertson was also supportive of the governing body's approach.

He said: "I don't accept the calls from some trainers that Nick Rust should bring forward his retirement because he is said to have failed to fully prepare for a return of horseracing. I reject that accusation.

"I believe the BHA has played and is playing this whole issue correctly. I am in favour of easing some of the lockdown restrictions, while not compromising people's health and safety, including with regard to sport. But racing should work along that curve and not be ahead of it.

"I believe the BHA has made good and positive preparations to be ready to race once the opportunity affords itself. I am in regular touch with the BHA and believe them to be in a good place."

He added: "I have every sympathy with trainers and with everyone whose livelihoods are being affected. But as someone who has not always agreed with the BHA, I believe them to be doing a very good job in representing racing's interests at this time."

Mr Rust received additional backing from Michael Dugher, the chief executive of the Betting And Gaming Council and former Labour MP, who wrote on Twitter: "Personally I think Nick Rust and the BHA have done a very good job. [It's] not easy.

"We all want to see racing back in some form ASAP. But he was 100 per cent right to say the priority has to be ensuring the sport didn't put pressure on the NHS. Others in racing need to live in the real world."

The BHA on Sunday said it continued to focus its efforts on "planning for the resumption of racing as soon as possible" and that "good progress" was being made towards presenting government with a plan for the sport, which is understood to be structured around similar behind-closed-doors models set to be implemented in France and Germany.

In a statement, it added: "The BHA board, which includes members nominated by the organisations representing horsemen and racecourses, understands the pressures on all in racing at present and recognises that BHA executives benefit from constructive feedback from participants. The board asks that to be done in accordance with racing's values, to be respectful and not single out individuals unfairly for carrying out their role.

"The racing industry, like everyone at this time, puts the health of the public and our participants first. This was clear in our decision to suspend racing and is a central focus of our planning for resumption.

"Nick, his team, and the industry colleagues with whom they are working so closely, are looking forward and are united in wanting the sport to resume as soon as it is possible. They have the board's full and unequivocal support."

'We want to be unified, not fighting'

The BHA's position was backed by the Professional Jockey Association (PJA), which wrote on Twitter that "collective decisions are being taken which equals collective responsibility. Blaming and bullying is the opposite of helpful", while PJA chairman Nigel Payne emphasised the importance of racing being united.

He said: "It's terribly important at this point in time that we are seen to have a unified industry. We are well ahead with plans for resumption of racing, and this is being led by the various BHA departments.

"From the PJA point of view we want to go back when it's right for the safety of our participants and when we're not taking away medics or ending up in hospitals. We want to be unified, not fighting. It's important we're seen to be sticking together and to distance ourselves from comments such as 'we don't care what the public thinks'."

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Beckett wrote to Phelps outlining his belief that Rust was not representative of racing following his decision to resign, and that "the widespread view is that the BHA is more concerned with public perception than its participants – this cannot continue."

Approached by the Racing Post for comment, Beckett said: "I have no comment to make on the article in the Sunday Telegraph. The focus is on my horses, their owners and, as a member of the BHA resumption of racing group, the return of racing."


Edward Whitaker
Beckett's concerns were echoed by Johnston, and he said on Sunday: "My point is Nick Rust resigned in January. It doesn't matter if you're a journalist, a groom or the best CEO that there is, when you decide to go then you're usually better gone.

"No-one is suggesting that we flaunt government guidelines or we are beyond government guidelines or should be treated any differently, and we won't be. But Nick Rust and the BHA should not wait for someone within government to take responsibility for racing, and nobody should expect someone within government to take ultimate responsibility for the restarting of racing, or for our industry's concerns.

"We have to make our own plans to safeguard the future of our industry all within government guidelines. We are saying stop ****footing about and let's have a plan for the resumption of racing within those government guidelines."

Beckett is understood to have sent his initial email to Phelps in the days immediately after racing's shutdown was extended, and more detailed plans for the resumption of racing have been circulated to trainers since then.

In a statement, the National Trainers Federation called for the sport to unite behind these plans, and said: "With such a high degree of uncertainty for the nation and with livelihoods under threat, everyone has an opinion on the best way forward. Often they express it with passion and urgency.

"Since the emails referred to were written, racing's plan for resumption has been developed further through trust and collaboration. We have a good story to present to government, showing how our sport can be staged safely. We need to look forward and come together behind the plan."

It's either too much racing or no racing; one minute the horse racing programme is saturated with inferior races to please the bookies, next zilch. For a body in charge of horse racing that is poor management. Also, under his leadership the BHA has been reactive rather than proactive with one embarrassing blunder after another.

I do agree with Mr Johnstone. When someone resigns it's best a new incumbent is installed asap for the good of the entity unless the present incumbent is a founder and successful leader of the entity since inception. But, to work on for a year before resignation takes effect does make not sense at all for obvious reasons. If absolutely necessary someone within the BHA ought to be leading the entity with Mr Nick Rust serving as an "advisor" until a new BHA head honcho is found or appointed.

A year's notice is crass in any business. But, then again this is the BHA, a non-business entity lacking vision and judgement.

Blaming and bullying is the opposite of helpful", while PJA chairman Nigel Payne emphasised the importance of racing being united.

exactly that

If Mr Rust is intent on "working" out his notice at least lead the BHA for instance, states when he'd like horse racing to commence again, where, etc; give a date, and not repeatedly led by advice from outside forces eg bookies (fobt) and government (Cheltenham). His main priority now is to look after the interests of horse racing 1st and foremost - that's what he's paid for. Otherwise depart asap or adopt the role of an advisor.

Presently, he's clearly not.

The infighting is not good for the sport

It is no surprise to see Laurence Robertson defending the BHA and Rust(ex Ladbrokes)as he got £4,000 worth of hospitality at Cheltenham. How the BHA ever appointed a Bookie is beyond me.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Exclusive: Tory MP under fire over £4,000 Cheltenham hospitality – days before COVID lockdown
Laurence Robertson was late declaring lavish hospitality from gambling lobbyists at controversial Cheltenham event. Transparency campaigners call for action.


Conservative MP is under fire over £4,000 worth of hospitality that he and his wife received from betting companies at the Cheltenham races – just days before the coronavirus lockdown last month.

Laurence Robertson – whose Gloucestershire constituency includes Cheltenham racecourse – chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Racing and is a regular recipient of hospitality from the gambling industry.

During last month’s Cheltenham racing festival, Robertson and his wife received £4,000 worth of hospitality from firms including William Hill, the Jockey Club and GVC Holdings, the Isle of Man-based gambling giant that owns Coral, Ladbrokes and others.

Under House of Commons rules, MPs “must register within 28 days any interest which someone might reasonably consider to influence their actions or words as an MP.”

However, the Tory MP for Tewkesbury was late in declaring hospitality he received Cheltenham, according to the register of Members’ interests.

Indeed, in fighting is no good for the sport thus needs sorting out asap. Another 8 months is a long time; working out a 12 month notice to quit is crass.

The BHA has lost its way even before they lost the battle on fobt as some of the amateurish blunders showed, and who's to blame?

The BHA has finally appointed a head hunter since late last week to find a replacement, and part of the brief is maintaining a "healthy relationship" with betting operators. No surprise there.

Whilst the timing means that they have left themselves open to abuse the reality of it is that they are more right than wrong.  BHA all about public perception and it is failing badly.  Prize money is shocking and it is only going to get worse and it is the grassroots participants who are going to get shunted out of the game (if they haven't already gone).  Not easy to envisage a situation starting on the flat like has already happened over the jumps where more of the bigger owners send their horses to Ireland with superior prize money and superior race programme.  The only thing that has really stopped them previously has been a reluctance to take on the Coolmore battalion in their own backyard.

Rust and the BHA were part of the lobby that got offshore betting on UK horses included in the levy and that did make a big improvement in UK prize money until FOBT regulation came along and effectively clawed it back. Not sure Ireland is that big an attraction for owners as they are currently in exactly the same boat as UK and will face all the same problems post COVID 19. I think the financial situation of a lot of sports will be vastly different to what they were a few months ago.

No sport will be the same , its not possible

limited meetings and no crowds will send revenue crashing , racing will need to change beyond recognition and offer a product much like the premiership in football , high class competition with the best bred horses

advertising , tv and betting will want a competitive and exciting prog , i fear for the many involved in lower class racing tbh

but this is a problem the BHA created a long time ago , for years here many have been saying there is too much racing

Let's look at the recent judgements of the BHA eg:-

1) Handling of fobts - they were totally out-of-sync with the public and entities affected (its leader called the damage fobt caused a
   public "perception").
2) Saturation of racing programme - a programme filled with mediocre races (for whose benefit?).
3) Handling of Cheltenham eg from no restriction to lockdown within 5 days - where's the traffic light system?
4) Repeated excuse of "acting" on advice of government - no independent direction or way forward.
5) Repeated amateurish blunders - there have been so many eg waving of yellow flag to stop race, etc.
6) 12 month notice to quit - absolutely absurd to say the least; head hunter engaged only at the end of last week.

From (1) to (5) who's responsible? The leader, is it not?; (6) is a complete no-no in business esp given the recent ineffective decisions of its leader.

Will Mr Rust be missed at the BHA given the above? I'd not have thought so.

leaked e - mails no less

Seems to have done the trick Willies shares up 16.12% today pom pom on the table tonight.

RP strong against Beckett and Johnston

An ill-judged and ill-timed intervention that will not hasten racing's return
Alan Byrne, the Racing Post's editor-in-chief, on a potentially damaging move

UPDATED 10:49AM, APR 27 2020
 
More than 20,000 British citizens have lost their lives to the coronavirus. Sadly, many thousands more are destined to be claimed in the coming weeks and months.

Racing, like all other sports, has ceased. There is no prospect of it resuming during the current phase of the lockdown which prohibits all but essential activities and has effectively brought normal life, and the economy, to a standstill in order to try to combat the spread of the virus.

In common with all of our readers and everyone in the sport, the Racing Post is desperate to see racing resume. A number of things are required if that is to happen.

First and foremost, the rate of infection with the coronavirus among the general population must be slowed considerably and there needs to be clear evidence that the health services can provide treatment for the volume of patients who can be expected to require ongoing critical care.

Second, the government must decide that it has seen sufficient improvement to enable it to ease the restrictions which currently outlaw gatherings of more than two people unless they are from the same family, and require us all to stay at home other than for limited exceptions.

Third, racing must persuade government medical experts, officials and ministers that it has developed protocols and procedures which would allow the sport to resume behind closed doors in a way which would pose no additional risk to the health of the participants or the wider public.

That in turn means that there is a fourth hurdle to be jumped – society must give 'permission' for racing to resume. In that context, it will be helpful if racing can enjoy 'air cover' in the form of other sports announcing their return at the same time. Anyone who doubts that need only look at the cafes, restaurants offering takeaway meals, and builders who continued to operate in the initial phase of the lockdown but were subsequently forced to close under a storm of protest.

Unfortunately there is a constituency within the sport that believes racing should be free to do what it likes when it likes. Some of this group are the same people who dismissed, and in some instances continue to dismiss, the coronavirus as "just like the 'flu".

Be in no doubt that unless there is acceptance among the wider public that racing behind closed doors carries no additional risk, there will be no resumption.

And let's be clear too that when racing does start again, it will not be perfect. There will be plenty that is not ideal, including reduced prize-money and limited opportunities for horses. The aim has to be to bring the sport back as soon as is practicable and build on that.



Against this backdrop, trainers Mark Johnston and Ralph Beckett have decided, in a move that is as ill-judged as it is ill-timed, but is apparently supported by some other trainers, that this is the moment to campaign for the removal of Nick Rust as chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority ahead of the completion of his contractual term at the end of the year.

As detailed above, there are many factors stopping the return of British racing. The presence of Nick Rust at the helm of the BHA is not one of them. He has worked tirelessly to advance racing's cause and is doing his best for the sport in these uniquely challenging circumstances.

Remember too that Rust is the man who took some of the flak after the Cheltenham Festival was run in line with government advice. Yes, the subsequent coverage elsewhere was unfair and often unfounded. But, however wrongly, it has caused racing to forfeit goodwill with the public. That too is a factor in managing a resumption.

If there are shortcomings in the plans for British racing to return – and everyone has had long enough to think about it – they will not be due to any character flaws in Rust or any lack of effort on his part. Rather they will be a function of the inadequate way British racing is organised and managed, which has long been an impediment.

Johnston was formerly a director of the BHA, which makes his current stance all the more disappointing. He knows the problems. He knows how few levers Nick Rust has to pull on. And though he failed to improve the situation noticeably in his time as a director, Johnston should at least be aware that in the list of things preventing racing from resuming the coordinating efforts of the chief executive don't make the top ten.

Beckett has less direct experience of the workings of the BHA but doesn't seem at all short of things he wants to rail against, boycott or petition about. In this instance, and in particular as someone who actually sits on the committee planning a resumption, he has hopelessly and shamefully misjudged the situation and done himself and the sport a disservice. Indeed, he and Johnston may even have done serious harm because public division is not going to improve British racing's cause and certainly won't bring it back any sooner.

As other leading trainers, perhaps with the benefit of more measured temperaments and clearer insight, were quick to point out, this is the time for racing to unite around a common purpose of returning to action. Nick Rust and his team at the BHA, working with racecourses, horsemen and many others, are well capable of steering that course – but only when the wider public health issues allow.

Whilst I don't agree that Rust has been the right man to lead the BHA I'm actually impressed with the article in as much it doesn't sit on the fence and the editor has made his points without mealy mouthed equivocation....which is more than can be said for his predecessor.

4) Repeated excuse of "acting" on advice of government - no independent direction or way forward

That's very harsh. I would have thought on something as universal as this every organisation defers to Govt advice, not to do so would probably create far more problems.

No surprise there with RP, the paper funded by the bookies. The timing is unfortunate, and possibly a mere coincidence. But, the crux of the matter cannot be ignore eg self-interest and 12 months notice-to-quit.

Mr Rust has been progressively ineffectual since 2019.

very surprised the post has been so outspoken against them , cracking stance

but off course they are right , the attitude of these trainers beggars belief in current climate


they would risk the public image of racing at a already sensitive time to aid their selfish needs , actually shameful behaviour

It was mentioned on Luck On Sunday that racing had a bit of an advantage that Hancock was the member for West Suffolk and therefore very close to racing. I can't see any help from him forthcoming though, his job is already hanging by a thread so him pushing for the resumption of racing in the wake of all the negative press the festival is getting is very unlikely.

He, as Health Minister  won't want to risk any negative headlines should racing encounter further problems which could be laid at his door for being seen as someone giving racing a leg up.

I think the financial situation of a lot of sports will be vastly different to what they were a few months ago.
No sport will be the same , its not possible

horse racing, football etc are sports but let's not forget they are also industries which provide employment and tax revenues

that being said they are clearly not 'essential' and therefore in line with the current advice they should not be considering restarting - however people were able to buy food from supermarkets etc but now many high street outlets (presumably whilst enforcing social distancing) are planning to re-open

https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/18407642.high-street-chains-mcdonalds-kfc-greggs-preparing-reopen/

so you could say they are also not 'essential'...on that basis and since government did NOT enforce the shut down of horse racing, football etc unlike pubs/clubs/restaurants/gyms, then if there is a way for these activities to restart yet maintain all reasonable precautions and enforce social distancing then it would be remiss of the leaders of such organisations not to have plans in place and for those plans to be discussed with relevant government departments and for resumption dates/restrictions to be shared, as with these high street food outlets

of course football would have to deal with behind closed doors which is not really an option so in reality they have no choice but to wait

however closed doors or limited attendances could be made to work in horse racing - however the BHA are scared of their own shadow - see ineffective/weak responses on animal welfare - and it looks like they're prepared to wait for the government to 'invite' them to restart rather than setting an agenda/schedule which (as far as can be possible in the current environment) protects and promotes the industry which they're supposed to lead

my contempt for the BHA and the shocking record in adminstrating UK horse racing over past 3-5 years in particular, is boundless, let's see if they can salvage something from this mess

and for those who wonder why we're worried about racing when people are dying I suggest your energies should be focussed on requesting care homes/retirement communities/ over 75s/those with serious underlying conditions etc to be quarantined (in the true sense of the word) for next 3 months with access controlled by army and ensuring that PPE is made available for every NHS and social and home care worker (it's amazing that after 2 months the textile industry in UK albeit from a very small mfg base has not burst into action with massive orders from government) whilst the rest of the population goes back to work/play on the understanding that a very small percentage will require hospitalisation and an even smaller number will succumb and these numbers will be lower than the non-Covid-19 spike in deaths which we've already seen and which we're going to continue to see for the coming months/years whilst we economically/socially/morally/ethically/mentally find a new path

I think we've debated to death "Cheltenham Festival", and polarised views aplenty. Nevertheless, working out a 12 month notice-to-quit is crass given the inconsistency of decisions taken at the BHA last year and recently. For instance, the lockdown in Ireland started on 12th March (UK 18th) yet racing there carried on behind-closed-doors from 13th till 24th; in the UK horse racing stopped altogether on 17th March 6 days after lockdown.

Ireland: Lockdown 12th March; horse racing ceased 24th March (behind-closed-doors prior lockdown)
UK: Lockdown 24th March; horse racing ceased 18th March (no behind-closed-doors/prior to lockdown).

A massive discrepancy esp given the Festival.

Good to see the Racing Post actually calling out Beckett and Johnston. How many more are there?

Rusts failing in this case is that he's singularly failed to knock back and positively inform press criticism of Cheltenham.  He should be pushing back and saying that lots of other sporting events went on that week, including a European Cup match involving a team from a city riddled with the virus!  Oh and don't forget, the PM was at Twickenham too.

I think the frustration in the training ranks is partly because of this, because racing is unfairly being scrutinised more than these other sports who were equally culpable.  No one in the UK press seem to be lambasting UEFA for allowing 3000 Spaniards travel to Liverpool, when they couldn't go to their own stadium due to their own restrictions!

I also sense that some in the training ranks may think that Rust and the BHA are more interested in racings wider profile with the public, rather than the priorities of those within the industry, those who after all drive the racing industry.

Most of the public are supremely uninterested in racing as long as they can have their yearly bet on the Grand National.  Apart from the Anti-racing brigade who want it shut down full stop.  Most members of the public couldnt name 5 racecourses if asked.

Neither Johnston or Beckett said anything about racing being a special case.  MJ knows all about how horrible a disease Covid-19 is (He lost 10kg in weight) so there is no complacency, and they want racing to go ahead in a safe manner.

Bear in mind though, there are already 15% less horses in training, so a firm timetable, with government approval, would be a positive step forward.

I agree Gordon. It's up to the people at risk to protect themselves and the government to provide them with all the help they need to do it. Get the sport and entertainment back on the telly so those people in isolation have something to engage with.

however closed doors or limited attendances could be made to work in horse racing - however the BHA are scared of their own shadow - see ineffective/weak responses on animal welfare - and it looks like they're prepared to wait for the government to 'invite' them to restart rather than setting an agenda/schedule which (as far as can be possible in the current environment) protects and promotes the industry which they're supposed to lead

The difficulty is that it's not just the BHAs decision. It relies on racecourses being prepared to stage meetings in those circumstances and the Levy Board stumping up the cash for worthwhile prize money. In reality it's the old issue (probably unavoidable) of interested parties needing to pull in one direction.

Any jockey, trainer, hack, presenter who utter the words "pro cush" do more damage regarding  pandering to the anti racing brigade.

A leader must lead, and not just acting on advice from the government. The BHA is not a government quango.

Re prize money redistribute group prize money especially group 1 to the lower levels. Group 1 owners wouldn’t notice a reduction and in any case they’ve got the stud fees to fall back on once the horse is retired.

No let up by Mr Beckett on "Luck on Sunday" on Mr Rust, the head honcho at the BHA.

Mr Beckett has accused Mr Rust of "virtue signalling" ie someone expressing opinions and sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue. He also insinuated his emails to the BHA was leaked by someone within the BHA given the response by another BHA representative from the BHA email account, and not from a fellow trainer. He added: "There are any number of good people at the BHA, but it is clear to me there is a disconnect between the people who are assembling a detailed plan for resumption and the man at the top."

How much longer can Mr Rust serve out his 12 month notice-to-quit at the BHA given the latest accusation and disquiet amongst a few high profile trainers? His ability to lead has been undermined and questioned. Also, Mr Rust is the news, not horse racing.

It seems Beckett is arguing that there was no need to bring the NHS into it

"We had a meeting on April 15 that was positive and so was the following press release," said Beckett, who has represented horsemen in the Resumption of Racing group. "Nick then added comments which were, to put it mildly, virtue signalling apart from anything else, not least about the potential strain on the NHS.

"By that time discussions with a private hospital conglomerate were at an advanced stage and we knew a number of sites within an hour of 50 racecourses were prepared to cope with anything racing could throw at them. Nick's comment was irrelevant to put it mildly.

I haven't read everything but I'm not sure the BHA have done that much wrong except perhaps they should be providing more information as to any and all discussions held with Gov't officials so everyone is fully cognisant of where we are at the moment. Obviously Beckett is representing his members but the BHA do perhaps have to look at the bigger narrative & in a sense they can't proceed without knowing when the lockdown is to be eased and will Horse Racing be allowed to get up and running

Leaking is just disgusting who was it?

liberator, I don't know, but you may find this interesting from Matt Chapman, writing in The Sun

Leaked emails shown to the Sunday Telegraph, that had been sent to [BHA chair Annamarie] Phelps, apparently told that trainers Mark Johnston and Ralph Beckett had called for the immediate removal of Nick Rust, the BHA chief executive who resigned in January but is still in power.

As a result of this sorry episode, I got in touch with Phelps, and asked for an interview on Wednesday evening. I was quickly given the cold shoulder.​
"I’m sorry I have an ongoing obligation on Wednesday evenings so can’t do this," Phelps wrote to me. "Please do contact Robin Mounsey (at BHA) if you have any requests in future and he can manage them best through my diary."​

I did just that. Mounsey added there were "no plans" to allow Phelps to speak to me at this this time.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/horseracing/11526888/matt-chapman-column-bha-email-nick-rust/

​

It would not be the first time the BHA leaked stuff.

So that's the transparent BHA under the new BHA chair. If you want to ask serious and searching questions don't bother. But if you want to tell anyone at BHA they are amazing I'm pretty sure you can have an interview whenever you want.​

It's a pathetic way to run a sport. Clearly, amid a coronavirus pandemic that is killing thousands and disrupting one of the biggest industries in the country, there is huge turmoil and unrest in the world of horse racing. For those in charge to basically 'do a runner' and not front up is far from surprising but massively disappointing. And the question it asks most is what have you got to hide?​

Whilst I've near zero confidence in Rust I'm struggling to understand what if anything the Chairman Annamarie Phelps  brings to the BHA.
An embarrassing organisation which needs a clear out.

If it was leaked they should all go is truly repugnant and shallow I find if baffling the RP response to all this same as punter knock backs and restrictions these continual power battles rack everybody off whoever leaked that should be immediate P45 is disgusting anybody should betray confidence. We need to know who leaked. In my opinion Mr Johnston should lead the show he is a damned decent fellow don't know him personally but he has more about him that the rest of them put together.

Every pipe can leak, whether intentional or not.

Adding to that: Johnston and his wife, Dire Deidra are never consistent with the horses they enter for races. FACT.

having had recent dealings with the bha over integrity issues i would have
zero confidence in the organisation so i have little confidence in them
representing our industry in an appropriate resumption..far too afraid of
the pc brigade

Awful Deidra, Dire Johnston, and her husband, the idiot who wears short trousers in the house, are unforgiven for their placement of horses erratically.

storm in a teacup

as more time passes the petty infighting in racing is pretty unimportant really

getting back to even semi normality is the overriding thought in society , reality of our lives and futures is hitting home as our situation and that of world becomes ever more apparent

I agree Hello. I saw that interview this morning and it occurred to me that if the industry being at loggerheads is bad for its image, why was the issue raised again on the Nick Luck show.

To give Ralph Beckett the right to reply, who had got plenty of bad press over this

And by the way, this "storm in a teacup" could have been prevented by keeping, what was an e-mail sent in confidence, PRIVATE!

I would guess IMO that anyone in the industry who might have been thinking about a private e-mail to Ms Phelps, will be having second thoughts!

* about sending...

I felt they ganged up a bit on him if you want the truth. There were 2 media professionals against a clearly un prepared trainer. Becket needs some PR support and didn't really get his message across that well. If a interviewer put some random pole up as evidence for his case against a PR savvy interviewee he would have got a proper flee in his ear. I agree with you George about the leaking of the email but in the bigger picture it is a little bit irrelevant. By the way I 100% support Beckett.

hardly gives confidence in ruling body if theres no confidentiality tbh , but its done now

But tbh shouting sod public opinion at a time like this was a big mistake , racing needs all the friends it can get going forward and seems to small minded to see the opportunity in their faces to start afresh and re brand sport to a wider audience

if they cant even work together how can they possibly run the sport to the benefit of owners and trainers especially

This is from the RP report from when she was appointed as Chairman

Phelps comes into the job with relations between the BHA and a number of stakeholders – notably trainers – extremely strained following rows over the governing body's handling of the equine flu outbreak and the issue of equine welfare which erupted again during the Cheltenham Festival.

https://www.racingpost.com/news/former-olympian-annamarie-phelps-named-as-new-bha-chair/373769

And now we have a situation, where a 'delicate' e-mail has apparently been sent to Phelps in confidence, and it's been leaked to the press, by someone, and Phelps seemingly doesn't want to answer any questions about it.

So is it 'irrelevant', cuz it looks like there's been a pretty big breach in trust imo.

Maybe George but no one can prove it was the BHA (although Luck and Mottershead's assertion that they would have nothing to gain was ludicrous and demonstrated their bias). I don't think it is an issue that is going to have any bearing on anything, racing will soon be up and running and there will be more important things to think about. Mt guess is Rust will go early.

Ralph Beckett is a dreadful communicator, watched that interview with Nick Luck, fumbling for words throughout 2 out 10 for him 9 out 10 for Nick Luck.

Unfortunately you are right Cardinal.

Apart from the interview with Beckett I found the 2 hours very heavy going this morning. Mottershead annoys me and Persad spouted absolute rubbish for about 15 minutes

Thankfully I had to go after the Beckett interview. Doesn't Persad always?

Am I right in thinking Mottishead posts on here as Motseel ;if so perhaps he'd like to comment on the thread.
Impossible to believe Rust can continue much longer.

Thankfully, I haven't seen Luck On Sunday.

I did watch Racing Debate and the interview with Nigel Payne strongly suggested that Beckett and Johnston were just a small minority.

If that is true, then Rust, quite rightly, won't be going anywhere in a hurry.

way is see it these two can shout and scream all they like , tho its doing no good in any way

BHA dont start racing the government do , all BHA can do is update plans and be ready , i think they are doing that the right way

BHA may not start racing but it will be to their plan that the racing starts. They didn't have one.

current plan has a high degree of safety and public awareness

if i was making the decision i would be happier if the sport or whatever was demonstrating ability to function safely , and looking at them they have really thought about it , may not be perfect but will give decision makers more confidence

im not BHAs biggest fan but tbf its hard making plans in an ever evolving situation

likes of MJ and RB shouting sod public opinion is wrong way to go however you see it

If there were entities behind the scene eg BHA or otherwise (as insinuated by Mr Beckett) in advance negotiations and preparations in readiness for a resumption of horse racing the last thing one wanted was the departing head honcho of the entity running horse racing to "virtue signal" despite a positive meeting on 15th April and subsequent press release indicating so.

I can understand the frustration and even anger felt by Mr Beckett and Mr Johnston (plus a few trainers) with the lack of support expected from Mr Rust who's been employed to provide the best interest for horse racing. I think Mr Rust lacks strong, positive and commitment leadership which has been apparent for sometime now - he's been reactive and not proactive.

Apart from Hendo I've not seen any trainer openly backing Mr Rust. Forget the RP. It's a mouthpiece for bookies whose representatives some of whom have been and still are guilty of virtue signalling.

hello :-) 03 May 20 20:06   
"likes of MJ and RB shouting sod public opinion is wrong way to go however you see it"

But they weren't "shouting sod public opinion", it was a private e-mail in which they apparently voiced their disapproval of the (eventually) outgoing Mr Rust.

And I guess that is what's unsavoury about this business, that the e-mail has been leaked knowing fine well that in the climate current it would make them look bad.

It seems Beckett was irked by Rust adding comments to a press release about the NHS following a meeting on April 15th, which Beckett thought were "irrelevant", because: "By that time discussions with a private hospital conglomerate were at an advanced stage and we knew a number of sites within an hour of 50 racecourses were prepared to cope with anything racing could throw at them."

So this seemingly is where the accusation of "virtue signalling" has come in, and the previous claim that 'Nick is looking after his future in this instance, but his future is not ours'.

The other thing that was allegedly said: 'Rust and his team are more concerned with public perception than the sport's participants'. But I suppose they would argue it was only good PR to do so given the current climate.

The response from the BHA in today's RP only refers to "unfounded smears", rather than addressing the claim about the private hospital conglomerate being "prepared to cope with anything racing could throw at them."

Any able strong leader would have set out a clear intention or objective when horse racing will commence again subject to government approval, but there was none from the BHA; this entity has not even started head-hunting for probable candidates until the "leaking" of the email.

The lack of forward planning seems to be the dna within the BHA.

It was clear that Nick Luck and Lee Mottershead gauge public perception by social media and tw@tter. Nick Luck was actually quoting a facebook poll ffs. Beckett was right about that, well the point I'm assuming he was trying to make but not elucidating it very well. Effectively his case was that Rust was putting social media concerns, most of whom don't actually care about racing in front of the participants and other stakeholders, and that Rust's priority should have been pushing for racing to restart at the earliest opportunity.

I've just watched the interview on RTV from earlier on.

With regard to the leak, for balance, it should be pointed out that the e-mail was also sent to 5 other trainers, so there are other possible sources, though one would still have to ask why Ms Phelps doesn't want to answer Matt Chapman's questions?

Beckett did stress that it wasn't his intention for the e-mail to be made public, so whatever the rights and wrongs, it does leave a bad taste imo that someone leaked a confidential e-mail knowing fine well the hassle it would cause Beckett, but now it's done he's evidently prepared to stand his ground.

To plenty of people it looked like Rust was doing a good job given he's not necessarily in a position to force the government's hand and with public perception to worry about too, but Beckett who apparently has been involved with the racing resumption plan in his capacity as President of the NTF, clearly did have issues with Rust's leadership and made his feelings known (though what turned out to be not very) privately.

I think Beckett comes across as a good man, as we saw on his stance on prize money levels, and he's evidently a caring man, because in his capacity as President of the NTF he's seeing his colleagues' businesses being put in danger and he's keen for racing to restart as soon as the lockdown is lifted.

Maybe his e-mail was misjudged given the current climate and if only because at least one person could not be trusted to keep it confidential, but I don't think it makes him a bad person!

George B - I couldn't agree more. I think Beckett's concerns are honestly and clearly expressed. He is obviously not skilled in public relations and lacks sophistication in his communication but he is speaking clearly from his corner. Which others are not.

If you took social media as representative of public opinion, we'd still be in the EU and Diane Abbot would be home secretary. It's the pre-occupation of keeping the vocal minority on social media happy. This is a pre-occupation of many elements of society by the way, which is damaging to multiple areas, not just horse racing. If we really cared about the effect and impact horse racing has on the NHS there wouldn't be two ambulances following every jump race around to pick up broken jockeys and take them to a&e on a regular basis.

All fine words Cider. So given the thread and where we are, what would YOU recommend we all do.

we need to accept a new normal and make the best of it going forward

Directly in relation to covid 19 racing needs to be in a position to pick up as soon as it has been given the nod it can do, within the boundaries of the law. Seems to me that Roger Charltons point was well made, and that stakeholders should be updated regularly even if there’s no news. In a wider context the sport needs to stop pandering to social media and take decisions (or not make changes) just that attempt to keep that insignificant minority happy. It’s a zero sum game, it will be sanitised to a point where there is no sport to recognise as there’s a vocal element that will never be satisfied.

hello - in the context of this thread, how might a reasonable person like you and me, achieve this.

How embarrassing and unprofessional was Lee Mottershead? He's given a stage as a racing journalist and he uses it to vent his hatred of Donald Trump.

Cider - I agree with your response, but the BHA need to be far far more proactive.

You say "racing needs to be in a position to pick up as soon as it has been given the nod it can do, within the boundaries of the law"

Of course this is correct, BUT "racing" should be ready and already telling government how racing could work within any particular government scenario. We can all guess what the phased reduction in lockdown will be. It cannot be beyond the wit of the BHA or anyone on here to work out scenario's that would fit a given relaxation.

Lee & the entire RP appears think its offensive that people who's life is entirely dependent on racing should want to focus almost entirely on getting it started again.  How dare they - they should be too busy clapping for the NHS and worrying about R rates.   No Lee they should be pushing for racing to show it possess probably the least risk of any major sport in restarting and pointing out the fact that we've more or less never stopped (cause training horses - especially on public gallops/big yards - is probably more likely to have breached social distancing and injury risk than anything on a racecourse).  Fking obvious

hi blackbarn

the answer will be different for everyone , we all have a different idea of normal

i guess for all it will be a resumption of previous life before covid but taking safety into account

testing they key , getting it rolled out nationwide is only way to kickstart resumption , and app technology

That’s the case isn’t it blackbarn, though all information may not be in the public domain. My take on it is that Beckett and the others thought that Rust’s language had a self interest element that had one eye on his next career move. It was the motivation being challlenged and not necessarily the substance.

Hello and Cider - Not that it matters much, but we may have the basis for consensus. I am just in from watering the greenhouse and the asparagus and am off to bed. Back in the morning. Night Night.

I think it was just a misunderstanding.
Beckett thought Rust was contradicting the decision taken when highlighting the impact on the NHS, while actually the deal with the private hospitals was probably only to deal with 'racecourse incidents'.
The government is more concerned with mitigating Covid spread, so Rust added his comments with that in mind.
Presumably the deal with private hospitals isn't to also take in everyone who catches Covid due to a spike in cases caused by a bunch of people from different parts of the country meeting up for a race meeting.

Maybe one of the trainers sent the email to the Telegraph and it's backfired .

Cannot see any reason why the BHA would do it

What planet is Ralph Beckett on, Thousand's of people loosing their lives and all he is bothered about is starting back racing.No one loves their racing more than me but lets get an angle on things. Think of others Ralph, not ME ME ME.

How embarrassing and unprofessional was Lee Mottershead? He's given a stage as a racing journalist and he uses it to vent his hatred of Donald Trump. -- Yes George. He made that comment with the thought that everyone hates Donald Trump so that if he pointed out that he did too he would gain favour with the viewers . Absolute classic virtue signalling.

One positive aspect of the past couple of days is that we're now aware that the Chairman of the BHA has no experience whatsoever of horse racing and is clearly so unsure of herself that she refuses to be interviewed by Chapman. Now I'm not Chapman's greatest fan however one thing I'll say for him is that he's not scared of speaking his mind and of course he revels in asking direct questions (when it suits him). If I were the Chairman (with her experience) I'd be cagey of getting into a public discussion with MC , however I'd ask myself how the hell did I end up in this job which is beyond my talents and I'd fall on my sword pretty quickly.

Virtue signalling is the new norm.

I was also disappointed with Luck referring to a face book poll.

Anyone hear AP on R4 at 8.20 this morning?

I don't know why they selected him to give his opinion on the resumption of racing but he did ok. Did not drop any clangers.

I too thought he was an odd choice however he gave clear and sensible answers and certainly demonstrated his jockey's self discipline .I do have a bit of an issue with the variety of people politically correct radio 4 put up to do this spot ,many of whom give the impression they know bug ger all about the sport in question.

Virtue signalling is the new norm --- Isn't it just. I am fed up of seeing b-list (I am being kind) celebrities on the telly supporting the NHS. I suppose it's the only way they can get on telly. The Nick Luck poll comment could only have worked with a PR naive interviewee like Beckett. It was cheap and tacky.

this spat has confirmed two points - both totally irrelevant to the general population of course

a) Nick Rust was the wrong man for the position in the first place and he's spent the past few years proving that time and time again

b) Racing Post 'journalism' has died - Mottershead always was too far up himself and Alan Byrne (never heard of him before weekend before last!) and Tom Kerr way out of his depth (got to be some plonker to make Millington look good at his job!)..haven't bought the paper in more than 2 years and no chance of ever joining 'members club'. Hard to alienate someone like myself with more than 40 years passion (and spending lots of money in the industry - unlike most of the journos who are gravy train meisters) for horse racing - but this lot have done it.

Hard to alienate someone like myself with more than 40 years passion (and spending lots of money in the industry - unlike most of the journos who are gravy train meisters) for horse racing - but this lot have done it. doesn't that just piss you off Gordon. All they do is take from the industry/sport and can't wait to tell us all how it should be. If he was a decent journalist he would be away from the RP that's for sure. It's funny how the leaked emails were not to the RP but to a peper where I doubt many reading it would even know who the BHA are.

clayfield1 04 May 20 07:36
What planet is Ralph Beckett on, Thousand's of people loosing their lives and all he is bothered about is starting back racing.No one loves their racing more than me but lets get an angle on things. Think of others Ralph, not ME ME ME.

I don't think for one second Beckett was putting his self-interests first, and I got the strong impression he's coming at this from his position as President of the NTF.

He said he hadn't [yet] had any horses taken out of training, but knew of trainers up and down the country who had, and he referred to the example of Tom Dascombe, who apparently has lost 10% of his string, and this happened after Dascombe had taken the decision not to furlough any staff. Beckett became quite emotional when he talked of Dascombe giving his staff the day off to try and boost morale.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the e-mail, I got the strong impression he was doing what he thought was best for his fellow trainers, and actually, was just trying to ensure that racing is ready to go at the earliest opportunity when the lockdown measures are eased.

George, We all want to get things back to normal, but we must wait until it is safe we are not out of the woods yet.

Putting the rights and wrongs aside as a result of the "leaked" email the sooner Mr Rust goes the better for the industry and its fellow members as it's clear Mr Rust has lost the confidence and respect of the people who actually employed him. And, at the moment he's not earning his corn for being "virtue signalling"; when the leader of the pack is becoming (negative) news himself the rest of his pack will suffer inevitably.

I think the departure of Mr Rust asap is something we can all agree on.

Forget the RP. It's been a non-entity racing papers for over 15 years now; its existence is only propped up by the bookies whose interests are very evident and well documented.

Rust is in the classic close to retirement position.... make of that what you want, but we all know how these things work in reality More to the point when are the BHA going to realise the sport is dying because betting is dying! Actually betting on racing worldwide full stop is dying from a UK customer point of view.Online bookmakers have bled the sport dry. You are left with the mess that is brain dead traders restrict me on US racing when they have 150% books. b356 restrict me when im 20k down in last year but i win 3k in one week this year. ive given up literally. All fun has gone and and same for all my friends... I want to spend my precious time on stuff i enjoy and is a FAIR challenge. UK books have destroyed that unless you are a gambling addict. This has had knock on effect that its even less likely for new entrants and so the same companies that destroy it keep what little is left for themselves. they dont care. they can grow any sport they want and grow in any territory they want now so racing doesn't matter that much to them. Its too intellectually challenging to compete against the punter. I wish more people would speak up about this. But they wont

I just watched the interview of Mr Beckett on "Nick on Sunday", and one could see Mr Beckett was genuinely emotional and also extremely frustrated by the treatment of his behind the scene dealings with rep of the BHA, trainers and private health and safety entities for a resumption of horse racing asap behind closed doors at the 1st go-ahead approval from the government. And, his assertion that there was a clear "disconnect" between these entities and the message issued by Mr Rust was unnecessary and unhelpful, to put it mildly.

I do not believe Mr Beckett was calling for the resumption of horse racing asap even without the approval from government. Instead he was calling for more dialogue from the BHA to the trainers he represents; a proactive detailed plan for a resumption on a given date (subject to the agreement of the government); a firm and proactive leadership from the departing head honcho at the BHA Mr Rust.

If there's a clear disconnect from people at the BHA working on a detailed horse racing commencement plan and Mr Rust - the departing head honcho exercising "virtue signalling" and working out his 12 months' notice - then it's fair to conclude the BHA is a dysfunctional entity (with Mr Rust's presence) not working in unison to get horse racing resumption asap (the main aim of the BHA) subject to governmental approval.

As such, I believe Mr Rust must go asap or take a backseat (call it a gardening leave or whatever, if necessary) given his resignation, and let the rest of the BHA staff get on with it. Otherwise, Mr Rust will only be a distraction, an obstacle and burden on the resumption of horse racing.

Agree he should go however there has to be a head honcho and whilst in such circumstances the Chairman frequently steps into the breach it's blindingly obvious the current occupant Annemarie Phelps isn't capable of holding it together during an interregnum period. She deserves to go if for nothing else failing to get the recruitment of Rust's successor underway until last week.
In other words the BHA is not fit for purpose.