Racing With Pride rainbow silks to be carried at York in Pride Month celebration

In support of Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community in horseracing, the Racing With Pride rainbow silks will be carried for the first time on a British turf Flat racecourse at York on Friday.

Jim Crowley will wear the silks, transferred specifically for Friday's race, when he partners the Mick Appleby-trained Zim Baby in The British EBF Racing With Pride Fillies' Handicap (3.00) with full support from Fosnic Racing, Zim Baby's owners.

Appleby said: "It's good that racing is welcoming everybody into the sport, recognising different genders and orientations – welcoming people into racing with open arms.

"I'd like to think she'll run a good race. It would be a bonus if she can win. We've just freshened her up, so she's in good order and hopefully she'll run a decent race."

Chairman of Racing With Pride, David Letts added: "Racing With Pride is delighted to partner again with the British EBF and York Racecourse to celebrate Pride month.

"This visible activation is an important signal of support for the LGBTQ+ community, both within racing and beyond, and publicises the year-round commitment from these organisations to our work.

"It is an exciting bonus to have the Racing With Pride silks in use on the day and huge thanks go to Zim Baby's connections for their support."

Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings

Baaeed is officially the world's best racehorse after soaring to the top of the list of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings in 2022.

The William Haggas-trained superstar miler, who effortlessly landed a third Group 1 on the bounce in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month, was given a rating of 125.

He remained unbeaten from seven starts with a three-and-a-quarter-length victory over last year's Royal Hunt Cup winner Real World.

He is the only British-trained horse in the top three with Life Is Good and Nature Strip rated joint-second best on 124, trained in the USA and Australia respectively.

The Godolphin-owned Speaker's Corner is fourth on 123, with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained pair Bay Bridge and Derby winner Desert Crown, Prix du Jockey Club winner Vadeni, and Golden Sixty all tied for fifth on 122.

The British highlights that conclude the top ten are 2,000 Guineas winner Coroebus and Group 1 Coronation Cup victor Hukum, they sit alongside the Saudi Cup winner Country Grammer, Golden Pal, Jackie's Warrior and Titleholder on 121.

The rankings cover three-year-olds and older who have raced between January 1 and June 5 2022.

125 Baaeed
124 Life Is Good
124 Nature Strip
123 Speaker's Corner
122 Desert Crown
122 Vadeni
122 Bay Bridge
122 Golden Sixty

Alison Enticknap appointed BHA's new director of strategy and change

Alison Enticknap has been appointed the BHA's new director of strategy and change and is set to lead the organisation in the crucial development of industry strategy through collaboration with stakeholders.

Enticknap takes over at the head of the newly formed strategy and change department at the BHA having been interim director of communications and corporate affairs.

She said: "I see this role as a huge opportunity for racing to work together to address our biggest challenges and to seize important opportunities.

"I look forward to working across racing, with its wealth of knowledge and expertise, and helping to secure the outcome we all want – a thriving and sustainable sport."

Enticknap was welcomed into her new role by the Thoroughbred Group and the Racecourse Association, while new BHA chairman Joe Saumarez Smith added: "The creation of the new strategy and change department will be crucial for our sport's agreed plans to develop a new industry strategy.

"I'm delighted that we have appointed Alison to lead this department. Her proven leadership ability and capacity to build relationships and drive change will be integral to the success of this work."

ITV to screen six Royal Ascot races every day on main channel

ITV will broadcast 30 hours of coverage from next week's royal meeting, with six of the seven races being shown on the main channel each day. Ed Chamberlin will front a team that will again be joined by riding legend and two-time Gold Cup winner Steve Cauthen on the Thursday.

Coverage will run from 1.30pm until 6pm on ITV - which encompasses the first six races each day (2.30, 3.05, 3.40, 4.15, 5.00 and 5.35) – before switching to ITV4 from 6pm until 6.30pm each evening to show the final race (6.10).

“In the Platinum Jubilee year, Royal Ascot 2022 is going to be something special," said Chamberlin. "ITV Racing will show every single race and we are set for some sizzling action on the track with our own superstars trying to fend off the strong international challenge."

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