Action on non-runners
The BHA has unveiled a list of ten measures to tackle the rising number of non-runners in British racing, measures it described as “proportional, balanced and targeted”.
The recommendations come at the end of a lengthy review process after figures revealed a near eight per cent rise in the number of non-runners in 2016. They are designed to tackle the three categories thataccount for 90 per cent of absentees after declaration time –self-certificates, vet’s certificates and going changes.
One of the key aims isto highlight and potentially sanction what the BHA considers to be a small number of repeat offenders among the training ranks, which the authority’s chief operating officer Richard Wayman (pictured) was keen to differentiate from “the vast majority of trainers who operate within the spirit of the rules”.
Therefore,from October this year a set of quarterly league tables will be published, giving details of the rate of non-runners under the care of individual trainers, with the threat that, from March 2018, anyone exceeding the average non-runner figure by more than 50 per cent will lose their right to self-certify non-runners for 12 months.
Other key recommendations include a two-day quarantine period during which a horse cannot run once it has been withdrawn under a vet’s certificate, as well as a call for the Professional Jockeys Association and Racehorse Owners Association to examine raising the amount paid to jockeys in the case of a late non-runner from the current 40 per cent to the full riding fee.
“Non-runners are a source of frustration to those who watch and bet on the sport, creating uncertainty in betting markets, reducing participation, the number of runners and the competitiveness of races,” said Wayman. “They can also impact significantly on jockeys and owners, especially if horses are withdrawn late.
“It is, of course, important that trainers have the ability to withdraw horses for valid veterinary or welfare reasons, or if there has been a change in the going. But equally, we must also ensure that such an ability is not misused. We were also clear in compiling these recommendations that we must not unfairly penalise the vast majority of trainers who operate within the spirit of the rules.”
The ten steps to reducing non-runners
· The BHA will publish tables showing individual trainer non-runner rates from the previous 12 months at the end of each quarter.
· Any trainer with more than 100 declarations in the period with a non-runner rate above a published threshold percentage (namely 50per cent above the average non-runner rate) will be suspended from using self-certificates for 12 months.
· Any trainer above the threshold but not included within the published data (owingto having fewer than 100 declarations during the previous 12 months) would have their situation reviewed. Any such trainer may be suspended from using self-certificates if it is considered appropriate by the BHA.
· Any horse whohas been declared as a non-runner with a vet’s certificate would not be able to race on the two days following the race.
· Stewards to hold an inquiry where a horse is scheduled to run on identical going as that on which it had been withdrawn during the previous month because of the ground. Where a pattern arises or where it is considered circumstances warrant it, action may be taken such as preventing the horse from running.
· The number of going-related non-runners will remain under close scrutiny, particularly when there has been only a marginal change in the going description. Should there be insufficient decline in the number of going-related non-runners, consideration will be given to the possibility of introducing a scale of going changes within the rules of racing and requiring a more significant change of going for a horse to be withdrawn, albeit with a greater degree of tolerance at the extremes of going.
· All cases of a late change to going descriptions (ie. once racing has started), to be recorded and reviewed by the BHA, alongside situations in whicha high percentage of horses are withdrawn having already arrived on the course. Where records indicate cause for concernthe BHA racecourse inspectorate team will increasingly visit the relevant racecourse prior to race meetings to assess ground conditions and compare with the clerk’s going description.
· BHA to encourage the ROA and PJA to agree that an owner will pay the full riding fee to the jockey of a non-runner declared after9amon the day of the race. It is also proposed that this would take the place of any increase to the riding fee in 2018.
· In cases where non-runners incur a fine, the fixed £140 fine is to be substantially increased for any such non-runners declared after9amon the day of the race.
· When considering whether to extend the10amdeadline for declarations under rule F (90), any trainer who has declared more than one horse will be treated as if a maximum of one declaration has been made.
Statistics released by the BHA to accompany the announcement point to a rise in the overall numbers and rates of non-runners across both codes in 2016, following three years of decline from 2012.
The overall figure of 8,393 non runners in 2016 equates to 8.56 per cent of all declarations, up from 8.13 per cent in 2015.
However, the 2016 figures are still lower than those for the three years preceding the 2015 'low' watermark.
Wayman said: “That we need to minimise the number of non-runners is not open to challenge. But we need to do so without unfairly restricting or penalising trainers or compromising the welfare of horses. This calls for a proportionate, balanced and targeted set of measures.
“What we have proposed, having consulted widely with participants, is designed to address public perception, encourage participation, safeguard revenue and mitigate some related financial losses by encouraging the right behaviours and discouraging the small minority who misuse the current system.
“The impact of the measures on the numbers of non-runners will continue to be closely monitored over the coming months, including any changes to the reasons provided for non-runners.”
The PJA issued a statement broadly welcoming the BHA’s actions but urging the authority to adopt an even stronger stance in the future against what it described as “numerous and frustrating incidences” of trainers abusing the current rules.
The statement read: “Over a lengthy period of time we have lobbied extensively on behalf of not only professional jockeys but also for the benefit of the wider industry as a whole, to help bring about much needed reforms.
"We firmly believe that in future stronger measures should be mandated with respect to the excessive rate of non-runners due to ground, especially when there is either no advertised going change or a marginal one.
"These numerous instances are frustrating for participants and the betting public when the horse subsequently runs next time under the exact same going description.”
16 August 2017