BHA opts against implementing restrictions on trainers in major handicap races

The Future of Handicap System in British Horseracing

In a surprising turn of events, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that there are no immediate plans to make changes to the handicap system in Britain. This comes after reports suggested that the BHA was considering capping the number of runners a trainer can have in a race.

Rumors circulated about limiting trainers’ declarations to four horses in Class 1 or Class 2 handicaps, which would have had significant implications for prestigious races such as the Randox Grand National and Cheltenham Festival.

One notable incident that brought this issue into focus was Gordon Elliott’s domination of the Troytown Chase at Navan, where he saddled an overwhelming majority of the field and emerged victorious with Coko Beach.

Richard Wayman, BHA’s chief operating officer, shed light on their decision-making process: “At times, we seek industry opinions on various matters concerning horseracing. In this case, prompted by one trainer saddling 14 out of 20 runners in Ireland’s Troytown Chase, we decided to gather perspectives on whether there should be a limit on how many horses one trainer can run in major handicaps.”

This deliberation is crucial for sustaining horseracing’s appeal to customers and ensuring fairness within the sport. However, after careful consideration and discussions at both commercial committee and BHA board levels, it has been concluded that no immediate action will be taken regarding this matter. Nonetheless, the door remains open , as they will continue monitoring developments closely.