Trial for weighing horses shelved due to lack of support from key figures

Punters have suffered a blow in their quest for more raceday information as it has emerged a proposed trial for weighing horses before races was shelved earlier this year.

The provision of data is seen as a key driver of betting turnover, particularly among the young, and information on horse weight is published in many other countries, notably Hong Kong.

The Horseracing Bettors Forum has long pushed for the information to be provided in Britain and understood that a pilot scheme would be carried out last winter.

But the proposed trial, believed to have been planned to last for two months at an all-weather course, did not take place.

Inaugural HBF chairman Simon Rowlands, who stood down last October and now speaks in a personal capacity, said: "The pros and cons have been well aired over the years, and it was with a view to getting a better understanding of the logistics, opportunities and obstacles, that the Horseracing Bettors Forum, while I was still involved, sought – and ultimately were given – assurances by the BHA that a small-scale pilot project would be undertaken at an all-weather course last winter.

"It is disappointing, therefore, to find that the BHA back-tracked, with a senior source there citing a lack of industry support.

"When faced with a proposition that may, or may not, prove workable and advantageous, the sensible thing would seem to be to discover more about the matter, rather than to close down enquiry at the first opportunity."

A BHA spokesman stressed that the organisation was keen to boost information received by punters, but added there had been "no support" for the trial from those who would have been involved in the scheme.

"We are committed to improving the quantity and quality of data which is available for the racing and betting public, with the project to publicise wind operations being a recent example," he said.

"The BHA followed up on the proposal to look into the possibility of installing weighing scales at a racecourse for a trial period. However, the project brought to light significant challenges, including substantial cost for the installation of the equipment and issues around resourcing.

"There was no support for the initiative from the industry racecourse committee and as such all parties agreed that the project should be put on hold at the current time."

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