SATURDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2021 IHRB GIVEN GREATER TRIPARTITE GROUP ISSUES STATEMENT ON AFFORDABILITY CHECKS AUTHORITY FOR TESTING The following statement was issued by the tripartite group of the British Horseracing Authority, The Horsemen=s Group and the Racecourse Association. It addresses the groups liaison with the Gambling Commission about the prospect of affordability checks and its potential impact on the industry. It also touches on the group=s work around the Winter Survival Fund, other concerns related to the recovery from COVID and the Levy. Horse racing leaders have expressed their deep concern about the potential impact from the introduction of >affordability= thresholds for online betting customers. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has submitted the industry=s response to the Gambling Commission=s consultation on remote customer interaction, which is considering new financial checks to address problem gambling. Around two-thirds of betting on racing is carried out online whilst the sport has low levels of problem gambling. CCTV cameras will be added to stable yards The submission focuses on the economic consequences for at Irish racecourses | racingfotos.com racing and jobs in rural areas, the lack of evidence in support of the intervention and the disproportionate impact on people The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board can gain access to and who bet safely and lawfully. The BHA, the Racecourse testBby blood, hair or urine sample--every Thoroughbred in the Association (RCA) and The Horsemen=s Group (HG) discussed the country, on licensed or unlicensed premises, without notice industry=s response at a meeting last week and believe there after being granted Authorised Officer status by the Department could be a disastrous impact on racing=s finances and its of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. recovery from COVID-19. Cont. p3 The announcement was part of a wide range of new measures and funding unveiled on Friday as part of Irish racing=s anti- doping strategy. These also include the announcement of the IN TDN AMERICA TODAY planned development of a whole-of-life Thoroughbred traceability system, including 30-day foal notifications; the PROXY STEPS IN TO TRY THAT UNIQUE FIT issuing of e-passports, beginning with the 2021 foal crop; and Chris McGrath examines the runners in Saturday’s GII Risen Star funding for installation of CCTV cameras in the stable yards at S., including Godolphin Kentucky Derby hopeful Proxy (Tapit). Click or tap here to go straight to TDN America. every racecourse. Cont. p2 TDN EUROPE • PAGE 2 OF 7 • THETDN.COM SATURDAY • 13 FEBRUARY 2021 IHRB Given Greater Authority For Testing cont. from p1 The IHRB has, additionally, committed to increased Senior Vice President Gary King transparency and consistency around reports into testing, and Twitter: @garykingTDN will release a twice-yearly activity report. [email protected] AIntegrity around anti-doping is a top priority for the Irish + 1.732.320.0975 racing and breeding industry,@ said Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland. APeople who set out to International Editor intentionally break the rules and use prohibited substances will Kelsey Riley be identified and prosecuted. They have no place in Ireland=s Twitter: @kelseynrileyTDN world-renowned racing industry and all industry bodies are [email protected] committed to zero tolerance in this area.@ European Editor Emma Berry Twitter: @collingsberry NO RACING AUTHORITY HAS GREATER [email protected] POWERS WHEN IT COMES TO Associate International Editor Heather Anderson INSPECTION AND SAMPLING, AND THIS Twitter: @HLAndersonTDN WILL FURTHER ENHANCE OUR ABILITY Marketing Manager TO DELIVER AN EQUINE ANTI-DOPING Alayna Cullen Twitter: @AlaynaCullen PROGRAMME THAT IS ONE OF [email protected] THE BEST IN THE WORLD. Denis Egan Contributing Editors Alan Carasso Christina Bossinakis Cafe Racing Sean Cronin Tom Frary AWe know from the number of tests performed each year, and [email protected] from the variety of testing methods used, that Ireland has a robust system which operates at or above agreed global Irish Correspondent standards,@ Kavanagh continued. AAdditionally, there is a Daithi Harvey stringent range of penalties that can be applied by the IHRB, which can go up to a lifetime ban for horses deliberately Regular Columnists Chris McGrath | John Berry | Kevin Blake administered a substance prohibited at all times. Amy Lynam | Melissa Steele AIn 2021, in excess of 4000 samples will be taken from racehorses in Ireland by the IHRB, and in the region of 25% will be out of competition tests or tests taken before horses come under the care of a licensed trainer. All samples are tested in an IN TDN AUS/NZ TODAY internationally accredited reference laboratory. In addition, CURTAIN TO FALL ON SHADWELL’S AUSTRALIAN ARM approximately a further 600 samples will be taken from horses Shadwell Stud brings its 30-year-plus involvement in the for sale at public auction. Australian breeding and racing industries to a close. Click or tap here to go straight to TDN Aus/NZ. TDN EUROPE • PAGE 3 OF 7 • THETDN.COM SATURDAY • 13 FEBRUARY 2021 IHRB Given Greater Authority For Testing cont. onwards that include the fixture list and minimum prize money AHowever, this is an area that we can never be complacent values. Proposals for Levy Board funding of the fixture list in about and Horse Racing Ireland has been working with the IHRB May and June will be considered at its meeting on 22nd to bring about further improvements to the systems this year. February. It is expected the fixture list will be agreed and Our efforts and investment remain focused on ensuring that published before the end of February. Ireland=s i2-billion equine industry, an industry that employs The Members reviewed work done in recent months on the thousands of people and encourages significant foreign direct financial return to racing from the Horserace Betting Levy, which investment, operates one of the most comprehensive systems was carried out by the Levy Steering Group set up in October. It of testing of any racing or breeding jurisdiction in the world. This examined the revenues generated by betting on the sport, is as it should be, given the importance of the industry and the including media rights payments, as well as historic trends and value of trade in Irish horses.@ the potential for future growth amidst the shift to online Denis Egan, chief executive of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory betting, which has been accelerated by COVID-19. Board, said, AThe Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board welcome Members agreed that executives will progress discussions with the continuous support of Horse Racing Ireland and obviously the betting industry to identify potential reforms that could share the goals of HRI, and everyone in the racing and breeding grow revenues on racing for all parties, in line with the sport=s industry, to continue towards delivering a gold standard in commitment to responsible gambling. There is a clear equine anti-doping systems. willingness on racing=s part to consider innovations that will AAnti-doping never stands still. Our strategy has always been make horseracing an even more attractive proposition to betting to take the right sample from the right horse at the right time. customers. In these discussions, industry executives will put This has been one of the main drivers of a greater move towards forward proposals for urgent reform of the Levy based on the out-of-competition testing, which in 2019 represented 18% of turnover from betting on racing, including bets on overseas all samples taken--up from 7% in 2016. In percentage terms the racing. With the possibility of a damaging regulatory total number of runners tested in Ireland--at 10%--is intervention on affordability, as well as the impact of betting comparable to other jurisdictions. shop closures and the absence of spectators, racing=s leaders AThe appointment of IHRB officials as Authorised Officers will see the need to adopt a flexible and collaborative approach. give the IHRB powers to access any Thoroughbred which is bred to race, at any time. No racing authority has greater powers when it comes to inspections and sampling, and this will further enhance our ability to deliver an equine anti-doping programme that is one of the best in the world.@ Tripartite Group Issues Statement On Affordability Checks cont. from p1 Racing supports the government=s review of the 2005 Gambling Act and its intention to address the potential for harm. It agrees that gambling laws should be fit for the digital age as well as recognise the economic contribution made by the betting industry and associated industries such as horseracing. The BHA=s Members believe this is the appropriate way to consider a significant intervention such as a new affordability threshold and that Parliamentarians should examine any resulting proposals. Industry executives also briefed Members on constructive discussions with government over the Winter Survival Fund, which includes a potential ,40 million of loans to racing from the UK government. The Fixtures and Funding Group, which includes representatives from the BHA, racecourses and horsemen, is working on a package of proposals for May TDN EUROPE • PAGE 4 OF 7 • THETDN.COM SATURDAY • 13 FEBRUARY 2021 Tripartite Group Issues Statement On Affordability Checks AWe thank our owners for their patience and continued cont. support amidst the current uncertainty.@ Executives are ready to develop proposals in dialogue with David Armstrong, chief executive of the RCA, said, ARacing is betting operators, whilst providing the government with fresh approaching the most critical period since the beginning of the evidence of market changes that have taken place since 2017, to pandemic. With external regulatory issues facing us in the form demonstrate the case for reform. of the Affordability Review, the Gambling Act Review and Brexit Racing=s leaders recognise the need to engage with plus no immediate prospect of racegoers returning, the next six government in 2021 on a wide range of issues, including months will be the most crucial period on our Recovery journey.