The British Horseracing Authority has informed that by middle 2010 it intends to introduce new licensing regulations, which will include a ‘fit and proper persons’ test aimed for owners. Next February, a suitability test for trainers will be introduced and jockeys will have to take it when their licenses expire, in March or in October if they are Flat racing riders or jump racing riders.
The BHA is expected to meet with representatives from the Racehorse Owners Association soon to discuss the test for new owners. The Authority also wants to reach an agreement that allows it to investigate and an existing owner in case information suggests that owner doesn’t meet the new standards.
"It's all about suitability and 'fit and proper' is part of that. In order to be suitable, you need to be competent but you also need a certain standing of honesty, integrity and financial soundness," Oliver Codrington, head of compliance and licensing at the BHA, commented.
Codrington also commented that most owners want to know that there is something to stop undesirables from registering as horses owners. “And trainers want to know what we're doing to protect them from owners who may not pay their bills. That is something that needs to be looked at," he added.
According to the new regulations, prospective owners will have to answer some questions about their financial situation and reveal if they have previous convictions. "Registering as an owner has always been as easy as filling in a form. It should be about a full disclosure exercise. By that mechanism, I think we can get to a position where the committee have all the information they need to make a decision," Codrington said.
As part of a new policy of openness and accountability, the British Horseracing Authority will now publish all decisions in its website. Codrington said the BHA is happy that other sports are using the Authority’s integrity model and that they are willing to assist other sports with an effective licensing model.
The decision to establish new regulations for owners came from a strong desire of the BHA to eradicate undesirables from the horseracing sport. "A fair sport with the right people in it will attract more money than a sport that attracts undesirable people, even if one or two of those undesirables might contribute quite a bit in terms of money,” Codrington concluded.