BHA reiterates “full and unequivocal” support for CEO amid trainer criticism

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has reaffirmed its support for CEO Nick Rust after the body was criticised by leading trainers over its handling of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Racing Post reported over the weekend that trainers Ralph Beckett and Mark Johnson had called on Rust to resign as CEO of the BHA.

Rust had previously revealed he would leave the authority at the end of the year.

In a statement released on Sunday, the BHA board refuted the suggestions and insisted Rust and fellow BHA executives were doing everything possible to resume racing while preserving the health of participants.

“Nick, his team, and the industry colleagues with whom they are working so closely, are looking forward and are united in wanting the sport to resume as soon as it is possible. They have the Board’s full and unequivocal support,” the BHA said.

Addressing criticism from trainers, the BHA added: “There will be very few sports or businesses in which similar dialogue isn’t going on given the nature of the crisis.

“The Board asks that to be done in accordance with racing’s values, to be respectful and not single out individuals unfairly for carrying out their role.”

Under the BHA’s latest plan to resume UK horseracing, all races will take place behind closed doors and only under strict conditions at locations which meet standards around risk mitigation and infection control.

The full criteria is still to be finalised, but field sizes will be limited to 12 runners per race initially as risk models have indicated this will help to meet social distancing requirements.

In addition, individuals will not be permitted to attend more than one fixture per day, with all attendance limited to only those personnel required to deliver the race.

The BHA is aiming to run the Guineas racing festival in early June, with Royal Ascot commencing on its traditional slot of 16 June.