New BHA policy to allow on-the-day switch of racing surface

A new policy will enable racecourses to switch fixtures on the day from the turf to the all-weather, if the meeting would otherwise be cancelled.

The policy applies only to Flat courses which stage racing on the turf and the all-weather. At the moment, only Lingfield does this although work remains ongoing on a turf course at Chelmsford City.

The move from turf to the all-weather on the day can only be taken if officials deem the ground to have sufficiently deteriorated and runners, as well as the paying public, have already arrived at the course, or are travelling to the meeting.

Trainers would be permitted to remove their horses without a penalty if the surface is changed, while the gaps between races could be shortened, or individual races cancelled, if there are issues with daylight running out. No race would be run before its scheduled off-time.

Tom Byrne, BHA head of racing and betting, said: “We expect that any such instance will be very rare, with an on-the-day switch only permitted in the most exceptional circumstances. However if the need does arise, then we give ourselves the chance to try and fairly deliver races for participants who want to run, as well as offering racing for customers both on and off-course.”

Memorial service for Gold Cup-winning trainer Mark Bradstock to be held next month

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Mark Bradstock will take place at St Michael & All Angels Church in Letcombe Bassett near Wantage at 2pm on Thursday, June 6.

Bradstock, who along with wife Sara prepared Coneygree to win the 2015 Gold Cup, died following a long illness on March 1 and his family welcome all to join them in celebration, with a reception after the church service planned at the village hall in Letcombe Bassett, where Bradstock trained from Old Manor Stables for 30 years.

As well as a gospel choir at the church, 17-year-old Coneygree is set to lead the congregation to the village hall after the service.  

To help with planning, the Bradstock family would be grateful if anyone wishing to attend could let them know via email at mark.bradstock@btconnect.com.

Memorial service to be held in Malton on Thursday for Jarek Stadnik

Jarek Stadnik, an “all-round good guy” who worked for trainer Richard Fahey for 13 years, will be remembered at a memorial service at St Leonard’s and St Mary’s Church in Malton at 6pm on Thursday.

He left his job as a travelling head lad to become a lorry driver and spend more time with his family but was killed in an accident last month aged 51.

Ben Stephens, who worked with Stadnik at Fahey’s yard, will deliver the eulogy at the service. He said: “His wife Ewa didn’t realise how many friends he had in racing until so many people got in touch with her after his death.

“He was professional, smart and efficient but you weren’t working with Jarek, you were working with a friend. He had time for everybody, was a good friend to everybody and was an all-round good guy.”

Former Lambourn trainer and jockey Menin Muggeridge dies aged 59

The son of former Lewes trainer Frank Muggeridge, Menin Muggeridge enjoyed success as a jockey riding in Scandinavia, for owner Kurt Eng, before returning to Britain where he rode as a conditional jockey for Richard Hannon snr and Mercy Rimell.

Muggeridge switched to training in 1990 and claimed his most notable victory in 1992 when Camden Belle landed the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown. Other notable winners included Fieldridge and Supreme Angel.

Muggeridge handed in his licence in 2002 and left Lambourn only to resume training in West Sussex the following year. He saddled his final runner in April 2005 before retiring from racing.

Muggeridge spent time working as a gardener and a tiler after leaving racing, but remained engaged with the sport. He is survived by his daughters Jade and Demi and son Freddie, and three granddaughters Lexi, Frankie and Lola.

The funeral will be held at Salisbury Crematorium on May 21 at 1pm followed by a wake at the White Hart Hotel in Salisbury.

BHA stewards given power to declare horses denied a fair start as non-runners

BHA stewards will be given the power to declare a non-runner in any race involving starting stalls from next month if they believe a horse has been denied a fair start.

Under the existing rules, a horse can only be declared a non-runner if they were prevented from starting due to a fault with the stalls or unseated their jockey before the off. 

However, from May 1 the rule will extend to situations in which a horse has been prevented from starting on equal terms when their chances have been materially affected.

It may cover instances where a stalls malfunction causes some stalls to open more slowly than others, as was the case in the 2023 Epsom Dash, while it is also expected to cover scenarios when there is a problem with equipment fitted at the start, such as a hood.

Brant Dunshea, chief regulatory officer at the BHA, said: "This amendment to the rules will enable British racing to become signatories to the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities model rule on non-runners and therefore see us align with other major racing nations.

“It seeks to provide greater clarity and consistency for all involved and provides a regulatory solution in scenarios where it is deemed that a horse has been denied a fair start due to a situation beyond their own control or that of their rider, not previously covered by the rules.

“While we don’t expect this rule to be required very often, we hope that extending the stewards’ power in this area – something we have discussed at length with industry stakeholders prior to implementation – is a positive development for participants and bettors.”

Globally renowned veterinarian and administrator De Roland Devolz dies

Tributes have been paid to Dr Roland Devolz, a key figure in the fields of veterinary science and anti-doping in France and internationally for more than 50 years, who has died at the age of 83. 

In 1970 Devolz was recruited by Jean Romanet to join the veterinary service of France Galop's predecessor, the Societe d'Encouragement, and his expertise was brought onto the world stage when he was appointed technical adviser to the fledgling International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in 1994.

Among his lasting legacies in France were his work to develop the National Racing Laboratory founded by Dr Yves Bonnaire, his recommendation that France Galop create an internal medical service for jockeys, and his promotion of greater understanding of the importance of horse welfare to the sport.

Dr Roland Devolz, longtime veterinary and technical advisor to the IFHA, has died at the age of 83

Last October he was the recipient of a special award at the IFHA Conference and, following news of his death, a statement on behalf of the organisation described Devolz as "extraordinarily passionate, dedicated and effective at addressing any challenges in relation to racing integrity, horse welfare and the international movement of horses. His devotion and passion for the thoroughbred breed, for the sport of racing, and for other equestrian sports, informed everything he did to improve and developinternational standards.

"Roland was a remarkable person and dear friend to many in the French and international racing community, and he will be so deeply missed."

France Galop's deputy director general, Henri Pouret, said: "Dr Devolz has left a lasting impression on racing in France and internationally, thanks to his competence, his foresight, his devotion and his absolutely unique personality. He was constantly at pains to make himself available at any time to share his knowledge, always with the sole objective of guaranteeing that racing is run in the best possible way. He will be missed by very many of us."

Devolz is survived by his wife, Claude, and his funeral mass will take place at 2.30pm on Saturday at the church of Saint-Sylvain d'Anjou.  

New equine therapeutic centre to be built and named in memory of Jack de Bromhead after donations of €1 million

A new indoor equine therapeutic centre, named in memory of Jack de Bromhead, will be built in 2024 on the ChildVision campus in Dublin after more than €1 million in donations were received. 

ChildVision, the specialist therapy and education centre for children with visual impairment, made the announcement on Tuesday and said the new centre in Drumcondra was made possible by a host of donations from the family and friends of the De Bromheads. 

The new indoor facility will give children, who are blind, multi-disabled and neurodiverse, access to the best global equine activities in a supportive and purpose designed environment and will allow the ChildVision equine team and volunteers to extend their services to reach more children over more hours to make a life-changing difference, especially through the winter months and in bad weather conditions. 

Spearheaded by Chris Jones, a family friend of the De Bromheads and a well-known owner with the stable, and with the blessing of Jack’s parents Heather and Henry, the €1m donation target which was needed to complete the equine therapeutic centre was reached last December. 

Honeysuckle's owner Kenny Alexander has helped continue the donation drive by giving his Honeysuckle silks, signed by himself, Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, to an auction at the Goffs Sale at Punchestown next Thursday. 

The De Bromhead family said of the announcement about the new centre: "The equine centre will be a wonderful legacy for our beloved Jack, a hugely missed son and brother. Horses are a huge part of our lives, and we know the physical experience of riding a horse offers so many potential benefits, especially helping address a host of physical, social and emotional issues. More so, it will be a place of learning and hope, full of laughter and joy, traits that were such a part of Jack."

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