'It's solid' - Nick Rust stands by nine-point plan for racing's recovery

BHA chief executive Nick Rust said more details would emerge soon on the sport's efforts to get over the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic as racing's leadership on Tuesday published a recovery plan, which set out its priorities but was short of specific initiatives.

The plan set out nine goals for British racing and who will have responsibility for their delivery but the sport said its main aim was to restore revenues and work for the full resumption of racing.

Funding reform through the levy, new commercial arrangements between racecourses and horsemen and an industry ownership strategy were among the pillars of the plan, as was longer-term work on sustainable prosperity for the sport.

Rust, who emphasised the plan had been agreed by leaders from across the industry, insisted the six-page document contained "concrete plans".

BHA chief executive Nick Rust: announcement is 'a solid plan'Credit: Edward Whitaker

He added: "It is a solid plan with lots of detail being worked on which we can go into in the next few days and weeks."

Rust said the sport had been clear on its aspirations for next year's fixture list and prize-money, that an immediate focus on owners would be contained in the ownership strategy set to be published next week and that the return of crowds and full raceday activities was the core focus.

He added: "If people want to say it's a plan for a plan I think that's a bit harsh. The aspect of the continuing prosperity of the sport is definitely a piece of work that will take several months to complete, but the immediate actions, we are on with them and you can see the goals clearly laid out."

The return of spectators to racecourses in "significant numbers" was a key priority within the plan to restore the economic prosperity of the sport.

To help achieve that prosperity, Rust said British racing would now press the government to work on further levy reform to extend it to betting on overseas racing, an area from which other jurisdictions benefit.

"Covid and the international situation with Brexit means that we think it is the right time for government to support racing with a change on overseas levy," he said.

Rust, who said the sport had been liaising with ministers on the issue for more than a year, added: "We believe that can add £30-£40 million to income through the Levy Board, something like a 40 per cent increase.

"Those monies would make a big difference in supporting our recovery plan and helping to ensure our sport remains as competitive as possible with our international competitors."

The plan also talked of keeping the sport's cost base as low as possible and Rust said "no bets are off" with regard to efficiencies. Asked whether this could mean job losses, Rust replied it was too early to say but that "inevitably we are having to look at everything".

The issue of low prize-money in British racing has been further exposed by the financial difficulties sparked by the pandemic, and Rust said owners had to be a major focus area.

While details of the long-awaited Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) ownership plan are set to be published soon, Rust revealed the sport was looking to provide incentives to retain horses in training.

He added: "We are looking at how we might immediately, even with the restrictions which are in place on a raceday, ensure that all racecourses can provide the very best experience [for owners].

"If that requires some additional funding to help ensure the right facilities are provided then that's the sort of thing we are looking at right now."

The plan also addressed the tensions that have existed between racecourses and participants over the level of courses' contributions to prize-money, with new commercial agreements between the two sides "to be agreed".

Rust said he was delighted discussions were ongoing between the two sides, adding: "The BHA board has been very keen to ensure that such progress is made before it is willing to agree to the 2021 fixture list."

Rust himself is due to step down to be succeeded by Julie Harrington in January but he insisted he was fully committed to the sport's recovery effort. He said: "We need to deliver those goals now, not in two years' time so it's really, really important that I play my part."

David Armstrong said the sport had to 'renew' its collaborationCredit: Edward Whitaker

Both Racecourse Association chief executive David Armstrong and his ROA counterpart Charlie Liverton emphasised the need for the sport to work together.

Armstrong said: "The whole industry worked very well to enable racing to return as the first major sport behind closed doors. Now we have to renew that collaboration as we enter this recovery phase and move beyond that into 2021."

Liverton, speaking on behalf of the Horsemen’s Group, added: "It is imperative that we focus on the vital drivers that keep our sport going and growing: retaining owners and maximising the sport's revenues. There is a lot to be done but I am confident that, working together, we can deliver this vital work for participants across the industry."

Read more on this subject:

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Let's focus on getting spectators back on track not prize-money squabbles

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