The administration of British racing appeared to be in disarray on Friday after confirmation by the British Horseracing Authority that Charles Allen, who was due to take over as the BHA’s new permanent chair in three days’ time, will delay his arrival to an unspecified date in order to “better inform his vision for the sport”.
In a brief statement, the BHA said: “Since Lord Allen was named as the new chair of the BHA last November, he has engaged in an extensive round of meetings with stakeholders to develop a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the issues facing the sport.
“The BHA can today confirm that Lord Allen will not now start on June 2 as he wishes to continue meeting stakeholders to better inform his vision for the sport and he looks forward to starting his new role once these have concluded.”
Allen, whose business career prior to becoming a life peer in 2013 included senior roles with Granada TV, EMI, Virgin Media and Endemol, was also a member of the bid team which secured the 2012 Olympics for London, and chair of the Manchester Commonwealth Games from 2000 to 2003.
Allen was described as “a candidate whose record speaks for itself” by David Jones, the chair of the BHA’s Nominations Committee, when his appointment was announced seven months ago.
Dissenting voices soon emerged among some stakeholders, however, most notably when Ralph Beckett, a former president of the National Trainers’ Federation (NTF), told the organisation’s annual meeting in March that Allen did not have an obvious background in the sport and that “anybody going into that role is not going to grasp hold of the role straight away”, adding: “It takes time in the role and we don’t have time.”
At the heart of concerns among trainers, owners and other racing professionals – whose views are represented by the Thoroughbred Group (TG) – is a long-standing conviction that the balance of power in the industry is tilted heavily towards racecourses.
A new governance structure for the sport which was introduced in 2022 aimed to shift ultimate authority in significant decisions towards the BHA, but the TG remains sceptical over the extent to which racecourses are returning a fair amount of their income to participants in prize money.
The apparent implication of Friday’s announcement is that Allen concurs with Beckett’s critique in March and needs more time to get to grips with the industry’s overall structure and factional internal politics. The concern for the BHA is that he will ultimately conclude that the role is a poisoned chalice and better left untouched.
Ten Bob Tony cashes in for Walker at Haydock
Ten Bob Tony survived a stewards’ inquiry and denied the veteran Kinross to win the John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock on a bumper afternoon for trainer Ed Walker.
A winner first time out last season, the four-year-old Ten Bob Tony was not disgraced in the 2000 Guineas and also ran well in France behind the classy Topgear. Below par on his final outing and gelded since, he had a bit of a question to answer on his return, but he came out on top in the Group Three prize.
Market Rasen 1.40 Appleshaw 2.15 Iron Heart 2.50 Dapper Gent 3.25 High Fibre 4.00 Gwennie May Jem 4.35 Market House 5.10 I’m A Believer
Brighton 2.25 Match Anthem 3.00 Lazzar 3.35 Muy Muy Loco 4.10 Twilight Guest 4.45 Renesmee 5.15 Victors Dream
Windsor 5.40 Forever My Prince 6.15 Blue Orbit 6.45 Jettie’s Run 7.15 Rajaking 7.45 Morcar 8.15 Jimmy Mark 8.45 Atlantis Blue
Wetherby 6.00 Vlad 6.30 Cotai Belle 7.00 Lady Mariko (nap) 7.30 Himself 8.00 Papa Don’t Preach 8.30 Hamlet’s Night (nb) 9.00 Novamay
Walker’s string have bloomed of late, winning the Temple Stakes last week with Mgheera, the Brigadier Gerard with Almaqam and taking the Bronte Cup at York with Scenic and the Achilles Stakes at Haydock with Balmoral Lady before Ten Bob Tony did his bit, led to victory by jockey William Buick.
Volterra looked to be travelling best at one stage before Audience, last year’s Lockinge winner, threw down a challenge. Ten Bob Tony (5-1) slowly but surely got on top and then Ralph Beckett’s eight-year-old Kinross, giving away weight all round, emerged as the final danger. The two got close together and as they crossed the line there was just a head in it, with the placings unaltered after a long wait.
Leicester 2.17 Ottoman 2.47 Magnatura 3.17 Sovereign Lord 3.47 Korroor 4.17 Archivist 4.47 Chalk Mountain 5.17 Giselles Defence 5.47 Toolatetonegotiate
Southwell 2.30 Harel Du Marais 3.00 Jimmy The Digger 3.30 Ladies Day 4.00 Zucayan 4.30 Delgany Bobby Blue 5.00 Champetre
Lingfield 6.15 Tatmeen 6.45 Drouthy Neebor 7.15 Beckford’s Folly 7.45 Sugar Hill Babe 8.15 Another Abbot 8.45 Me Tarzan
Wolverhampton 6.30 Two B Tanned (nap) 7.00 Noble Consort (nb) 7.30 Off The Bench 8.00 Aspire To Glory 8.30 Calibos 9.00 Cheese The One
“That was an awful wait! Without sounding spoilt, it was so important he won,” said Walker, speaking from York. “It’s pretty special and absolutely amazing. I’ve won Group Ones before, but I have to say this has been a special day and special week. Long may it continue.”
Buick escaped a suspension after stewards reviewed the race. “I got a caution,” he said. “Obviously the stewards had to have a look at it, but my horse just ran around in front. He was a very game winner, it was a competitive race and hopefully he can progress.” PA Media
