Equinties - BHA in the bin

Gm, Equinauts

It’s Cheltenham next week. Crazy how quickly it comes around.

Don’t miss our newsletter next week. We will win.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

BHA IN THE BIN

We’re loathe to write about the calamitous affairs going on in the BHA right now but we suppose on a slow news day, we really should.

Basically, after 6 months of doing absolutely nothing but cause a racecourse revolt over data rights, Lord Allen has resigned from his position as chair of the BHA.

It’s almost laughable that a guy who has chaired public businesses has departed the BHA… it just shows what an internal mess they are in.

The BHA confirmed the departure yesterday, citing the inability of its member organisations to reach unanimous agreement on long-proposed governance changes. The news has raised concerns about the future direction and stability of British racing’s governing body.

Lord Allen, a very experienced businessman and Labour peer (gross) took the position on the understanding — unanimously agreed by the BHA’s member bodies (the Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and Licensed Personnel) — that the BHA would move towards a fully independent board with a stronger commercial remit. The goal was to transform British racing into “a modern commercial and cultural powerhouse.” However, the necessary changes to the BHA’s Articles of Association required unanimous support from the member organisations, which ultimately proved impossible to secure.

In his resignation statement, Lord Allen said: “Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed. I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future.”

David Jones, the BHA’s senior independent director, responded: “The Board would like to thank Charles for the time and effort that he has put into the role helping us to develop a vision that is aspirational and achievable, and we regret that we were unable to put in place at this time the governance changes that would have enabled us to progress this. I have enjoyed working with him and wish him continued success.”

Instead of the injection of fresh commercial thinking into the sport we love, Allen’s departure has simply highlighted the inefficiencies of the sports fragmented governance.

We almost need a Bernie Ecclestone to come in, burn it down and start again.

SPENCE SPENT!

You’ll recognise his silks - red, white sleeves and that famous blue and white hat, often seen sitting above Nicky Henderson horses. They’re owned by Alan Spence who earned his money selling a shipping business.

Now he’s losing money. Big money.

The well-known owner of classic-winning horses including Irish St Leger winner JUKEBOX JURY and other notable performers, is at the centre of a wild High Court case involving allegations of fraud and unpaid gambling debts.

Claims made by David Solomon accuse Spence of failing to honour big betting losses and fabricating a non-existent bookmaker called ‘George’ to avoid repayment.

According to reports from the Racing Post (published today), Solomon alleges that Spence never actually placed the bets in question with any legitimate bookmaker. Instead, Solomon claims Spence pocketed the stakes himself during a period of winning bets, then retained the funds when losses mounted to £621,000.

When pressed to settle the outstanding amount (which Solomon says grew to more than £800,000 including interest and damages), Spence allegedly invented a some guy called George as a dodgy bookmaker and excuse for non-payment.

Solomon describes Spence as a "compulsive gambler" in the legal filings but we’re not sure he has much of a leg to stand on given the legality (or lack of) of his business with Spence lmao.

Read it here:

A LOOK AHEAD

We almost nailed it last week - BLOW YOUR WAD just ran out of track to finish second in Newbury’s Greatwood Gold Cup.

This week we’re looking ahead to Sandown’s Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle taking place this Saturday (14.27).

MONDO MAN heads the market after his Plumpton romp:

He did nothing but canter round so it’s hard to judge how much improvement he has to come (it was his first British win) but by looking ta his back form you’d could say he’s bloody well handicapped. The Moore’s love a Sandown winner too.

KHRISMA is has done nothing wrong, she’s 2 from 3 this season and as a result has gone up in the weights. Where is her ceiling!?

The legend GO DANTE has won this the last two years! He’s going for the hat-trick and re-opposes WRECKLESS ERIC. They both raced off exactly the same mark and weights last year, this year the weights are heavily in favour of JJ’s - 8lbs he’s getting off Olly Murphys lad! We’ve won good money off WRECKLESS ERIC in the past when with Pauling. He’s a proper horse and if he’s been cheated with this year to target this, should go well here.

RUBBER BALL is turned out again quickly (if he lines up). He routed the Newbury field at the weekend but probably appreciated the nicer ground. If Sandown is sift he might struggle.

AFADIL is hard to win with, his owners haven’t seen the champagne pop since 2024! He loves a big Saturday handicap though and has placed both times he’s run at Sandown. He has lengths for find with GO DANTE and WRECKLESS ERIC though on all known form.

Of the rest, KNICKERBOCKERGLORY will need it bottomless, BRACE FOR LANDING for the Skelton’s hasn’t shown much (but could be a plot) and NO ORDINARY JOE is very well handicapped for his owners ‘the cheeky pups’ (JP et al?).

Verdict: MONDO MAN is very tempting and he should be the best horse in the race but he’s not a banker to keep the lid on (classic Gary Moore horses). If he settles he wins but WRECKLESS ERIC should definitely be going close at the weights and, at 8/1 with most books, looks a great ew.

SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO FOLLOW OUR BETS:

Become a paying subscriber to get access to all of our pedigree analysis, big race previews inc. bumper previews, standout stats and best bets over the coming NH season!

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.