British racing launches indepth survey to inform new community strategy

British racing has launched a survey to create a source of information and inspiration for people in the industry and to showcase the scale of racing's contribution to wider society.

The initiative is part of a new global approach from key racing jurisdictions to identify and support initiatives that can most benefit the sport and its communities, with all racing organisations and participants able to complete the survey.

A directory will be compiled consisting of the work racing people and organisations across Britain are focusing on, in areas of education and community development.

Racing Together, The Racing Foundation and Godolphin form the partnership co-ordinating the directory, with further help and support from industry leaders.

Rob Hezel, chief executive of The Racing Foundation, said: "We are delighted that racing's leaders have recognised the importance of this topic when considering all of the challenges facing the sport at this time.

"We are glad to be working with Godolphin and Racing Together on the directory as the first step in driving co-ordination and alignment of the myriad worthy activities undertaken each year. We hope that in the future this will enable the very best outcomes to be achieved for individuals, communities and the sport as a whole."

'Tremendous supporter' Booth dies aged 94

Eider Chase-winning owner Bill Booth has died at the age of 94.

Booth enjoyed success in the Newcastle marathon contest with the Caroline Bailey-trained Crosspark last year, who went on to finish second in the Scottish National, and also had horses in training with Alex Hales and Dan Skelton.

The Charlie Longsdon-trained Atlantic Gold provided Booth with a first Cheltenham success in 2015 and he celebrated 47 winners under rules and 20 in the point-to-point sphere during almost 30 years as an owner.

Booth’s final runner was fittingly a winner with the Bailey-trained Coole Lion scoring at Southwell last month.

Bill Booth (right) after victory with Huntsman Son at Newbury last year

Colin Wesley, a close friend of Booth’s who attended meetings with him, said: “Bill was an old fashioned gentleman and lived in the day when a handshake sealed a deal.

“He bought a lot of young horses from Ireland in the early days and named them after local villages. He was a tremendous supporter of the sport and just loved his racing.”

Two Irish winners disqualified after adverse analytical findings

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has disqualified two winners who tested positive for prohibited substances in late June and early July at referral hearings on Tuesday.

Neither John Oxx, trainer of Sligo maiden winner I Know I Can, nor John Ryan, whose Bonarc was disqualified after winning a Roscommon maiden hurdle, was found guilty of any wrongdoing, with the referrals committee waiving the possible €1,000 fine.

I Know I Can, who was first past the post on July 2 under Ross Coakley, tested positive for Triamcinolone Acetonide (TCA), which was deemed not to have left his system in the expected timeframe before racing.

Bonarc's disqualification from a June 24 victory was as a result of cross contamination with human antidepressant O-desmethylvenlafaxine, a substance which was reported to have made contact with the six-year-old through human urination in the horse's stall.

Laurel Wreath, second to I Know I Can at Sligo, won on her next outing in a Navan fillies' maiden, while Bonarc's runner-up She Tops The Lot was also successful on her following start in a Bellewstown mares' maiden hurdle.

August prize-money boost announced across five Chester Race Company fixtures

Chester Race Company has announced a prize-money boost of £76,000 for the racecourse group's five August fixtures.

Racing returns on Monday at Chester for the first time this season, with a third meeting confirmed at the city track this month after a date swap with Chepstow. Chester's meeting on Sunday, August 23 will now be held on the evening of Thursday, August 20, with Chepstow's fixture now taking place on the Sunday afternoon.

Watching the races from the city walls at ChesterCredit: Edward Whitaker

The decision to swap dates has been made to "minimise the risk of gatherings around the racecourse at Chester which may take place on weekends".

Despite the five meetings across the group at Chester, Bangor and Musselburgh taking place behind closed doors, a combined increase of £76,000 in prize-money has been announced to incentivise owners to enter runners and offset some of the losses incurred as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Richard Thomas, chief executive of Chester Race Company, said: "The impact felt by Covid-19 has resonated across our industry and nowhere more so than among our owners.

"In acknowledging the disruption caused, we have demonstrated a commitment to our visiting owners by increasing our prize-money values across the group for August, in addition to providing the very best racing experience we can across three our tracks.

"We hope this will provide some comfort to visiting owners and whilst we navigate the next few weeks and months, we assure owners we have their very best interests at heart."

Norma Macauley funeral date confirmed

The funeral of former trainer and owner Norma Macauley will take place at Gloucester crematorium on Friday, August 7, at 1pm.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only immediate family will be able to attend. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at or donations can be made directly to www.injuredjockeys.co.uk.

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