BRYONY BOMBSHELL
Bullying report leaked
RACING chiefs say a probe into allegations of bullying against Bryony Frost is close to a conclusion after details of its report were leaked.
Jockey Robbie Dunne was charged with “conduct prejudicial to the integrity or good reputation” of the sport after a lengthy investigation, according to the Sunday Times.
The British Horseracing Authority’s 120page report is said to contain complaints from Frost about her weighing room colleague’s behaviour over several years.
These include Dunne allegedly swearing at her after pulling up after a race and in the weighing room.
Frost first revealed the difficulties she was facing in December after winning the King George VI Chase on Frodon having already lodged a complaint with the BHA.
Alongside allegations made by her of threatening and inappropriate behaviour by Dunne, the BHA investigators reveal how “there is a cultural issue in which threatening behaviour is condoned and not reported in the weighing room.”
Last month it was also confirmed that the report author and BHA head of integrity Chris Watts had left his job after four years. The Professional Jockeys’ Association (PJA) said last night it was concerned about a “serious data breach” within the BHA. The PJA said: “The article has published extracts of confidential case papers, the possession of which may have been the result of a serious data breach within the BHA. This is a deeply concerning development for all participants in the sport.” While the BHA declined to comment on the specifics of the case to ensure “procedural fairness”, the industry regulator expects the matter to conclude in the “near future” and said the details will be made public. A statement read: “The Sunday Times article refers to leaked documents which are related to an ongoing investigation. “This case is close to reaching its conclusion, with directions hearings scheduled for the near future. It is an important case and one that the BHA is taking very seriously. Cases such as this may be complex and involve significant legal representation.
“In order to ensure fairness for all parties such procedures - including the directions hearings - must be allowed to play out in full, and in private rather than through the media.
“However, in the interests of openness and transparency, the BHA would make public the details of any cases which are heard in front of its independent Disciplinary Panel, prior to any hearing taking place.
“Separately, racing is not immune to issues around conduct and behaviours which are prevalent in all aspects of society and other sports.
“The BHA has already announced that it is working alongside our industry’s participants to develop a Code of Conduct for anyone involved in the sport, which will be enshrined in the rules and ensures that appropriate behaviours are endorsed and bad behaviours are discouraged.”