The BHA Podcast: Episode 5 – #AxeTheRacingTax update and Development Programme at 35

Welcome to Episode 5 of The BHA Podcast, hosted by Nick Lightfoot.

Greg Swift and Victoria Morgan discuss their latest attempt to lobby the Government on betting tax and we also checking in on the British Horseracing Development Programme, which got underway in Newmarket recently.

A report was recently published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for racing and Bloodstock warning of “a triple-whammy of financial threats caused by Government policy” that is said pOsed a threat to the future of British racing. Entitled ‘Securing Racing’s Future:

The Threat to British Horseracing’, it sets out how racing could be devastated by the Government’s proposals to hike online betting taxes. This comes at a time when, as we’ve discussed on this show before, affordability checks are already restricting people’s ability to enjoy a bet on racing, and a failure to deliver a sustainable central funding continues to provide uncertainty.

Then to finish up, we wanted to turn the spotlight on the British Horseracing Development Programme, which began in Newmarket on Monday 30 June and is celebrating its 35th year this year.

The Programme, in its various guises down the years, has acted as an entry point to the industry for a great number of people who have gone on to senior positions in our sport. The likes of Alan Delmonte, Ed Chamberlin, Sulekha Varma and so many more got their start in racing thanks to the Programme and, more than three decades on, it’s still going strong.

Nick sat down with Zoe Elliott, the BHA’s Head of Careers Marketing and Recruitment, to discuss how the Programme works, its goals and successes.

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LISTEN AGAIN: Episode 4 – betting duty harmonisation and weighing room upgrades

The BHA Podcast returned with Episode 4, focusing on two issues that have made headlines that week.

Acting CEO Brant Dunshea and Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Greg Swift, joined host Nick Lightfoot to discuss the threat posed to racing by proposals to harmonise tax rates on sports and casino betting products.

Brant stayed on to reflect on the BHA’s issuing this week of deadlines for the upgrading of weighing room facilities.

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LISTEN AGAIN: Episode 3 — Aintree reflections and more with Brant Dunshea and James Given

On episode three, host Nick Lightfoot was again joined by Acting CEO Brant Dunshea, who discussed Britain’s weighing rooms, use of the GoingStick and his thoughts following an eventful Grand National festival.

The BHA’s Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, James Given, then stopped by for a deeper dive into the events which lead to the death of Celebre D’Allen following the 2025 Grand National, as well as to reflect on his time in his job and hopes for the future.

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LISTEN AGAIN: Episode 2 — Cheltenham and Aintree plus Richard Wayman

The BHA Podcast returned for a second episode as the Grand National Festival at Aintree neared.

Acting CEO Brant Dunshea joined host Nick Lightfoot to discuss the National Trainers Federation AGM. Nick then sat down with Director of Racing Richard Wayman to reflect on racing’s performance in 2024, consider how the 2026 fixture list may look and ask whether the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival should be looked at.

Finally, following a number of false starts at the recent Cheltenham Festival, Nick asked the BHA’s Head of Stewarding, Shaun Parker, for his views on events at Prestbury Park and asked whether he has any concerns heading into Aintree.

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LISTEN AGAIN: Episode 1 — Racing’s political engagement with Brant Dunshea

First up to face Nick’s questions were Greg Swift and Victoria Morgan, the BHA’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs and Head of Policy & Advocacy respectively. In a wide-ranging interview, they discussed the impact of affordability checks, levy reform and the art of lobbying in Westminster.

Acting CEO Brant Dunshea also stopped by to tell Nick what he sees as the biggest threats to racing in the coming years, reflecting on his own experience since taking on his new position and also shared some memories about the life and legacy of the late former BHA Chair, Joe Saumarez Smith.

Finally, we took a look back at last month’s Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin.

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