Julie Harrington says 'we're sorry' as BHA vows to tackle bullying and sexual misconduct in racing

Almost half of more than 350 reported incidents investigated by British racing’s safeguarding department since 2018 have concerned either sexual misconduct or bullying, it was revealed on Wednesday. 

BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith and chief executive Julie Harrington both issued apologies on behalf of the sport, with Harrington saying: "I am truly sorry to hear the stories of bullying, sexual misconduct and, in some cases, serious sexual abuse. This has no place in British racing or wider society. We are determined to put it right."

Harrington’s comments came as the BHA announced an update to its strategy on safeguarding and human welfare, which coincided with the publication of PhD research into gender inequalities in racing by Dr Eleanor Boden from Durham University. 

Among the 350-plus incidents of alleged misconduct 22 per cent concerned bullying, and 26 per cent for sexual misconduct. Among those latter claims and cases, 41 per cent were for sexual assault, rape or attempted rape. The BHA also revealed 14 cases of interim suspensions of licensed individuals were pending either criminal or safeguarding panel investigations.

Harrington said: “There are many parts of the culture of British racing that we are incredibly proud of, especially the lengths to which people go to to protect, support and care for one another. It is essential that everyone working in our sport is treated with dignity and respect, and that we all maintain the highest standards of behaviour.

“However, evidence published today, from both the BHA safeguarding team and Dr Eleanor Boden’s study into the experiences of women in our sport, show that this hasn’t always been the case.

“We are really sorry for this and are determined to put it right.”

Julie Harrington: "We're sorry and we will put it right"

The BHA first established a safeguarding unit under Matt Mancini in 2018 and it is the data collected by his team – as well as issues which arose in high-profile cases such as Robbie Dunne’s bullying of Bryony Frost and Johnny Farrelly’s exclusion from the sport in 2021 for six safeguarding breaches – which has informed the updated measures announced on Wednesday. 

Those include enhanced safeguarding and welfare education for employers and employees, with specific training around sexual abuse and misconduct, simplified reporting mechanisms and an awareness campaign to improve understanding of what sexual misconduct is. 

Harrington added: “Many people in British racing won’t be personally aware of instances of bullying, sexual misconduct or other forms of discrimination. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. The BHA will now lead on the delivery of the safeguarding strategy, but together with colleagues from across our industry.

“The success of our industry is dependent on the health and happiness of our people, so we must tackle issues like bullying and sexual harassment head on if we want to attract and, importantly, retain and develop a valued and high-performing workforce. It’s critical to British racing’s long-term prosperity.”

The BHA, which has said it will use data and research to better respond to “emerging risks and trends”, admitted that it had seen a sharp rise in the number of reported cases of serious sexual misconduct.

Head of integrity and regulation Tim Naylor said: “We’ve seen a year-on-year increase in reports coming in. I would say that is inevitable and in many ways a good sign that we are raising awareness in the ability to report.

“What we’ve seen since 2023 is an increase in those more complex, serious sexual assault and rape investigations. A third of all reports relating to those types of matters have come in since 2023.”

Harrington pointed out that police were seeing a similar rise in the reporting of serious sexual offences across society in 2023. Naylor said he expected a further spike in numbers as racing’s workforce becomes more aware and more confident in improved safeguarding structures at the BHA.

“I expect or I hope there will be an increase in reporting,” he said. “I saw an increase in reporting when we first published the safeguarding policy in 2018.

“I’ve witnessed an increase following cases like that of Robbie Dunne, and following the implementation of the code of conduct. So for me, at this initial stage, sadly I almost hope there is an increase in cases we are dealing with because it shows that people feel more comfortable and safer in bringing their concerns to us at the BHA." 

Dr Eleanor Boden has conducted extensive research into the role that gender plays in work prospects in the racing industryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Boden's research – which was part-funded by the Racing Foundation and is entitled Gender, Education and Work in the Horseracing Industry – identified several key themes when it comes to barriers to women progressing in the industry. 

Drawing on the lived experiences of women in racing between 2015 and 2020, she discovered a number of her interviewees had been the victims of or else witnessed sexual harassment, and that the prevailing culture in many places of work in racing normalises a variety of "inappropriate sexualised behaviours". 

The research also highlighted the pressure some women feel to 'play along' with the overall culture in order to get on, and that those that cannot (or will not) conform to a certain racing identity can suffer abuse and may ultimately leave the sport because they feel they cannot fit in. 

Boden welcomed the additional measures contained within the BHA's updated strategy. "I have been working closely with the horseracing industry since the themes started to emerge within my research, which has allowed the sport to develop and agree a robust action plan, which we have already started implementing, but will be accelerated through the strategy," she said.

“In short, this is a welcome development as part of the need to address as a priority an accepted culture and its associated behaviours, to enable racing’s workforce, and the sport as a whole, to thrive."

The BHA's updated safeguarding strategy

Key areas identified for improvement

• Training around sexual misconduct for the entire racing industry
• Simplified and trusted reporting lines
• Improving the effectiveness and sensitivity of how reports are dealt with
• Create a network of 'safeguarding champions' to increase support for those affected
• Launch campaigns to increase awareness of what constitutes sexual misconduct
• Data-led approach to identify emerging risks

If you need help, support or witness or experience any unacceptable behaviour, please report it to respect@britishhorseracing.com, or call the BHA’s confidential reporting service, RaceWISE on 08000 852 580