'Circumstances have now evolved' - BHA lifts autumn ban on overseas runners in low-grade Flat races

Horses trained outside of Britain will be permitted to run in Class 5 and 6 Flat handicaps from next month after the BHA lifted its ban on overseas runners.

The policy to prevent horses representing trainers not licensed by the BHA from running in certain races between September 1 and December 31 was implemented in 2023, having grown out of restrictions put in place on international travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

The move was made to ensure BHA-licensed trainers had sufficient opportunities to run their horses during the finals months of the year when races were regularly being oversubscribed.

However, the policy was criticised last month by Armagh-based Marshall Watson, assistant to his father RK Watson, who not only said their business should be treated the same as any other in the United Kingdom but that the restrictions were preventing competitive racing from taking place.

“The biggest problem I can see is that the races aren’t filling,” Watson told The Front Runner. “All I know is that I’d have thought seven-runner races aren’t as good for funding as having eight runners and each-way betting.”

Approval for lifting the restriction was given this week by the BHA board after the racing committee and commercial committee provided a submission having “assessed relevant data, as well as other practical considerations”.

Richard Wayman, director of racing at the BHA, said: “As a general principle, British racing welcomes international competition but the existing restriction was introduced to help ensure that horses trained on these shores could find sufficient opportunities to run in the autumn.

“Historically, this was the time of year when eliminations were a real issue, with the race programme unable to meet the demand for races for the Flat horse population. This was especially the case at the lower levels.

“Circumstances have now evolved, however, including the fact that we have moved nearly 150 races from the summer into the autumn as part of the efforts to improve field sizes. As a result, we no longer believe that there is a need for the restriction, although our handicappers will continue to withhold ratings for any overseas-trained horse where they have concerns about being able to make an accurate assessment of their ability.”

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