Racing's leaders promise to collaborate as Joe Saumarez Smith becomes BHA chair

Joe Saumarez Smith's first day as the new chair of the BHA has been marked by the news that British racing's leadership has pledged to come together to set a long-term strategy for the sport.

Agreement between the leaders of the BHA, Racecourse Association (RCA) and the Thoroughbred Group has come following ongoing discussions over the industry's governance, as a result of which the BHA will have responsibility for coordinating the strategy on behalf of its shareholders.

Saumarez Smith succeeds Annamarie Phelps as chair of British racing's governing body on Wednesday. Phelps chose not to stay for a second term having ensured that controversial proposals under which the BHA would have been relegated to just a regulatory role were shelved.

Racing's leaders said the strategy would focus on areas including prize-money, the race programme, the breeding industry, equine and people welfare, the collection and use of data in the sport, ownership, integrity, customer engagement and marketing of the sport.

New BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith

Saumarez Smith, 50, who joined the BHA as a non-executive director in 2014 and whose term is due to finish in September next year, said: "The ongoing discussions around industry governance have now paved the way for the development of a cross-industry strategic vision for the sport's growth, something that the industry is unanimous in agreeing is required.

"There is much good work being done by stakeholders but too often it is in isolation, and we all felt there is an opportunity for all participants to help shape that vision. The strategy will be framed around the industry's shared ambition to maintain and enhance Britain's position as a leading player in world racing."

RCA chair Wilf Walsh said he was looking forward to working on formulating "a clear, priority driven strategy".

"We need to ensure that we are committed to being agile and getting things done by making the most of the passion, knowledge and capability that exists within the sport," he added.

His counterpart at the Thoroughbred Group Charlie Parker acknowledged there had been other attempts to come up with a strategic plan for British racing.

He added: "I am pleased that the progress made on the BHA restructuring has allowed us to announce this initiative, which will give the industry a real opportunity to meet the huge challenges we face."

BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said she was pleased that the industry had reached agreement.

"I am excited that we will now be able commence work on delivering this crucial project on behalf of – and in full collaboration with – the British racing industry," she added.

Julie Harrington: 'Her dedication to the sport and desire to always do right by its participants was clear'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Harrington also paid tribute to Phelps for everything achieved during her time at the BHA.

She added: "Agreement has now been achieved with our industry regarding how it should be governed, the role of the BHA and its responsibility to lead on the development of industry strategy. This is a significant moment for the sport and one that should not be underestimated.

"Annamarie has also shown leadership throughout the Covid pandemic and the sport's tackling of a wide range of issues over the last three years, while also driving forward the sport's focus on diversity, safeguarding and the education, training and wellbeing of our industry's participants.

"Her dedication to the sport and desire to always do right by its participants was clear and I am sure she takes with her the appreciation and best wishes of everyone at the BHA and those she worked with across the industry."

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