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New admin platform delayed until next year as Racing Digital chief steps down

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Racing Digital is a joint-venture between the BHA and WeatherbysCredit: Edward Whitaker

The full rollout of British racing’s new multimillion pound administration platform has been delayed again with Racing Digital not expected to be fully operational until the start of 2026.

A joint-venture between the BHA and Weatherbys, Racing Digital will eventually replace the Racing Administration website used by professionals to make entries, declarations, record stable employee information and manage ownership.

The project began in July 2021 with a three-year build timeline. BHA accounts published in August last year showed £1.9 million had been spent on Racing Digital in 2023, with BHA group financial controller Paul Foster saying the intended September launch date had been pushed back to March this year.

In a BHA blog published in October last year, managing director Steve Gibson said that “from early 2025, the [Racing Digital Hub] will gradually replace the BHA’s existing Racing Administration site” and that the “second major release will follow later in 2025”.

The first phase of the switchover will focus on ownership, with the BHA stating on Wednesday that this will be launched “in the first half of 2025”. The authority added an exact date will be confirmed “in due course, with consideration being given to the timing of the spring jump racing festivals”.

The second and third phases of the rollout, which will cover race administration such as entries and declarations, alongside the likes of licensing, has been pushed back and “are currently planned for the first half of 2026”. As such, the Racing Administration website will continue to function alongside the new Racing Digital platform for ownership until at least next year.

Completion of Racing Digital will also be overseen by a new chief operating officer (COO) after Gibson was announced to have stepped down with immediate effect. Robert Glenister, who has been programme manager on the project, will take over as COO. 

Chris Batterham, chair of the Racing Digital board, said: “I would like to thank Steve for his hard work in developing the Racing Digital platform. It has been an immense undertaking, including the development of new, innovative technology in an extremely complex industry.

“We are confident that the Racing Digital platform will bring significant benefits to all who use it, in particular the sport’s owners, trainers and participants, for whom the simplified systems will greatly reduce the administrative burden. 

“Steve’s contribution as the leader of this project has been vital in getting us where we are today and we are grateful to him for this.”


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Deputy industry editor

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