Controversial Lohn saga cost BHA £425,000
Authority’s deficit falls despite hefty legal bill Apprentice is barred from 1,000-1 Derby ride
Last year’s ‘perceptions of bias’ saga that surrounded the former British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel chairman Matthew Lohn, which included the controversial Jim Best case, cost racing’s governing body £425,000.
This was made up of re-hearings, subsequent appeals, repayment of costs from the original hearings and related external legal costs, according to the BHA’S annual report and accounts published yesterday.
Lohn undertook additional and undivulged work for the BHA while also serving on its independent panel, creating a perception of bias that led to two convictions being sent for re-hearings and seven oth- ers being identified as potentially unsound.
The saga resulted in Christopher Quinlan QC being commissioned to produce a report into racing’s disciplinary and licensing systems, and several notable changes being implemented.
Despite this setback, the BHA announced that it had managed to reduce its forecast deficit by almost half, from an expected £349,000 to £175,000. This was achieved by offsetting the costs and making savings in other areas. The BHA said its income was also boosted by an increase in the amount it received from fees due to a rise in numbers of owners and horses in training.
Chief executive Nick Rust said: “I am pleased to say that, through the active management of our overall budget, we ended the year £175,000 better off than forecast, despite the one-off impact of costs incurred in relation to a perception of bias with our disciplinary panel.”
The BHA has put a stop to inexperienced apprentice Gina Mangan being declared to ride 1,000-1 outsider Diore Lia in Saturday’s Investec Derby, by invoking rule (F)83 that it would not be in the best interests of the sport.
The filly is a controversial runner anyway, having been beaten by an aggregate 44 lengths on her two starts and, as her price suggests, is considered way out of her league.
Jamie Steir, the BHA chief regulatory officer, said of the decision: “Everyone involved in horseracing has a responsibility to place the welfare of our participants, both equine and human, first.
“While Miss Mangan has held her licence for a number of years she remains inexperienced, with only 69 rides and one winner to her name. She has never ridden at Epsom and certainly never ridden in a race on the scale and stage of the Derby, with all the unique challenges it presents.”
After yesterday’s 48-hour declaration stages, 10 fillies remain in tomorrow’s Investec Oaks at Epsom. The odds-on favourite, Rhododendron, is one of three Aidan O’brien runners – Alluringly and Pocketfullofdreams are the others. John Gosden will be represented by Enable and his Prix Saintalary third Coronet.
Sobetsu, who won the Prix Saintalary at Deauville, was a surprise acceptor, as her owners, Godolphin, had indicated she was more likely to go for the French Oaks.
Al Wukair will miss Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, at Chantilly after suffering a minor setback. The Al Shaqab Racingowned colt finished a staying-on third behind Churchill in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and was expected to be suited to the 10-furlongs of Sunday’s race.
Harry Herbert, Al Shaqab’s racing manager, said: “André [Fabre] wasn’t happy with him, he didn’t think he was 100 per cent, so sadly he will miss the race.
“We still have Brametot, who we own with the Augustin team, in the race to fly the flag.”