BHA permits eight-race jumps cards in wake of spate of cancellations
Racecourses will be permitted to host eight-race fixtures up to and including February 16 following a number of recent cancellations due to wet and cold weather.
The maximum number of races permitted on a jumps card during the winter months is normally seven, but racecourses can hold an extra contest provided it fits in with their turf management plans.
Tom Byrne, head of racing and betting at the BHA, said: “We felt it was important to take swift action in order to ensure that the impact of the last week does not have an excessively negative impact on jump racing at this important time of the season.
“We will continue to add in additional programmed races at appropriate fixtures where we believe a particular gap has been created and requires direct filling.”
BHA invites alumni to attend 35th anniversary of development programme
The BHA's development programme marks its 35th anniversary this year and the sport's governing body has invited all previous participants in the scheme to an event in July at the end of this year's course.
With alumni including the BHA's outgoing chair Joe Saumarez Smith, Levy Board chief executive Alan Delmonte, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's chief executive Claire Sheppard, ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin and Racing Post editor Tom Kerr, many of the sport's leaders will be in attendance.
Applications are already open for this year's programme, "which offers those leaving higher education or with equivalent skills and capabilities the opportunity to explore a career in racing" and features a two-week residential at the British Racing School along with an eight-week industry placement.
All alumni are invited to the celebratory event, held at Newmarket’s Jockey Club Rooms in July. Details on how to register your interest are available here.
Death of nurse and Goodwood stalwart Joan Tidy at age of 79
Joan Tidy, who for many years served as racecourse nurse at Goodwood, and whose prompt action helped save the life of jockey George Baker, has died at the age of 79.
Baker was unseated from and then rolled on by Stagnite in the parade ring during the 2002 Glorious Goodwood meeting.
Tidy first worked on a racecourse in 1965 when a member of the St John’s Ambulance surface and during a presentation at Goodwood to mark her official retirement in 2014, she recalled the 2002 incident.
She said: “George came off a horse when it reared in the parade ring and I was the first on the scene. He had swallowed his tongue, so I cleared his airway and stopped him moving around. He wasn’t allowed to ride for about seven months afterwards.”
Tidy continued to be a popular figure at Goodwood after stepping back from the profession.
Former clerk of the course Seamus Buckley said: “She was at Goodwood long before I started there and she looked after the jockeys, among whom she was very popular.
“She was very well respected and when George Baker had that horrible fall, she saved his life. She went unnoticed a lot of the time but she was always there and always doing a lot.”
Paul Nolan fined £2,500 and Cheltenham Festival third Sandor Clegane disqualified
Paul Nolan has been fined £2,500 and Sandor Clegane disqualified from the 2023 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle following the conclusion of a fast-tracked disciplinary case.
Irish trainer Nolan admitted breaches of Rule (K) 2.2 and (J) 24.3 of the rules of racing concerning a positive test for a category B sample provided by Sandor Clegane after he finished third behind Stay Away Fay at the Cheltenham Festival.
Nolan has accepted a fine of £2,000 for the breach of Rule (K) 2.2 and a £500 fine for the breach of (J) 24.3. Sandor Clegane has been disqualified, with the Gavin Cromwell-trained Letsbeclearaboutit promoted to third.
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