Julie Harrington warns of existential crisis for racing following week of horror

BHA chief executive Julie Harrington has argued racing faces an "existential crisis" and must work to regain trust in the wake of mass revulsion at a photograph and video showing participants in the sport ridiculing dead horses.

In her first public comments since coming to office, Harrington also told the Racing Post that British racing's governing body is "concerned" about video footage in which Sheikh Mohammed's daughter Princess Latifa Al Maktoum claimed to have been imprisoned on the orders of her father.

Harrington revealed the BHA has been speaking to Boris Johnson's government but added she would not say whether the organisation plans to take action.

Harrington was talking on the day the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board banned trainer Gordon Elliott for a year with six months of that suspended in response to the emergence of a picture in which the three-time Grand National winner was shown sitting on Morgan after the horse had collapsed and died on the trainer's property in 2019.

The IHRB has yet to convene a hearing in relation to a video in which amateur jockey Rob James, a Cheltenham Festival winner for Elliott, can be seen getting on and off a dead mare.

Even before the IHRB verdict was announced, the BHA had made clear it did not want Gordon Elliott at this year's Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

"People use the phrase 'existential crisis' and I don't think that is underestimating it," said Harrington. "To see our sport on the front pages for the wrong reasons, and for the general public to have been given the perception our horses are not cared for, is a crisis for the industry.

"I want people to know what they have seen is absolutely not our industry. Everybody I have spoken with across the sport really wants to shout from the rooftops, 'That isn't us!'"

On Monday Elliott was barred from having runners in Britain even before a date was set for his inquiry. Harrington confirmed the BHA had been uncomfortable with the possibility of him being represented at the Cheltenham Festival.

"I think that is correct," she said. "We had to act quickly. There has been a huge impact on the public perception of our sport in the run-up to two of the biggest festivals that, in themselves, bring a huge level of public awareness to racing. We wanted to get out the message that this is not acceptable and it isn't the racing everyone who works in the sport recognises.

"I think the IHRB and Horse Racing Ireland both understand we need to do the right thing for our jurisdiction. Gordon Elliott had over 100 entries in British races. Those races are under our jurisdiction and we needed to take the right action."

'Everybody understands the gravity of this situation'

Harrington, who took over from Nick Rust at the BHA in January, continued: "We put a marker down very early but that was because the trainer concerned made a quick admission of guilt. We knew the photograph was real and wanted to draw a line in the sand about what our view was and also to give clarity to owners who have horses with Gordon Elliott.

"I know people have expressed some very strong emotions but our role is to put that emotion to one side and do the right thing to protect British racing and its reputation."

Harrington is adamant the last week has shown the critical importance of racing recognising the need to be mindful of public opinion.

"I've spoken with many people this week," she said. "Everybody understands the gravity of this situation for the sport as a whole. It makes them fearful for the sport.

"If anyone was under the impression public perception, and in particular a negative public perception, for this or any sport is not a risk, then I think seeing this week's reaction of the mainstream media should have given them some clarity."

Sheikh Mohammed: BHA concerned by the content of BBC Panorama investigationCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Harrington also stressed the BHA has been closely following media coverage of the sport's biggest investor, Sheikh Mohammed. On Friday the United Nations stated it has not yet seen evidence Princess Latifa is alive, two weeks after requesting proof from the United Arab Emirates.

Harrington said: "We heard the public comments made by Dominic Raab when he expressed concern about the distressing pictures shown in the BBC's Panorama programme. We do share his concern. The footage is clearly distressing and we support the foreign secretary's perception that the United Nations' human rights body should lead this investigation.

"We have taken some time to consider the issues since Mr Raab spoke. These are really complex matters. This involves an overseas state with strategic ties to the UK. The matters go well beyond the world of racing.

"We can confirm we have been in contact with the British government, both to explain our responsibility as a regulator as well as to highlight Godolphin's significant investment in, and contribution to, the British racing industry.

"We cannot discuss contact with government further and we are also not going to confirm whether we are or are not taking any action."

More on the Gordon Elliott story:

Gordon Elliott has licence suspended for six months over dead horse photo

From photo's emergence to IHRB verdict: how the Gordon Elliott drama unfolded

Henrietta Knight and Noel Meade offer support for Gordon Elliott at hearing (Members' Club)

Impossible to measure damage but Elliott sanction seems fair and proportionate (Members' Club)

Gordon Elliott: 'I will spend my life paying for indefensible moment of madness'

'Shocking' image forced Cheveley Park to remove their horses from Gordon Elliott

Gordon Elliott barred from having runners in Britain while image inquiry goes on

Leading owners Gigginstown stand by Gordon Elliott after 'unacceptable' photo

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