Horse racing news: BHA launches jumps review following Grand National meeting

A comprehensive review of British jumps racing is under way, the British Horseracing Authority has announced.

A committee consisting of cross-industry experts and chaired by the former managing director of Cheltenham, Edward Gillespie, will meet to discuss the health of the sport, identify challenges and deliver recommendations to safeguard the future of the code and deliver growth.

Areas of focus include field sizes, breeding and prize-money, with grass roots and middle tiers a particular focus.

The committee hopes to examine the threats and challenges faced by jumps racing and create logical and deliverable solutions to these challenges.

Ruth Quinn, director of racing for the BHA, said: "Having just come off the back of a successful Grand National meeting, which was itself hot on the heels of another memorable Cheltenham Festival, some might be forgiven for thinking that jump racing is in perfect health.

"Indeed we have a great deal to be positive and proud about. Attendances and betting turnover at Cheltenham and Aintree reached record levels and the quality of the jumps racing product at the top end remains first class, and continues to capture the imagination of the British public.

"However, a look beneath the bonnet reveals challenges and concerns which need to be addressed in order to secure the long-term health of the sport.

"Without an industry functioning properly, from the grass-roots up, then the future security and success of the sport at all levels is at risk.

"This comprehensive, cross-industry review is designed to, firstly, give us a clear picture about the exact state of health that the industry is in, and then implement evidence-based plans to safeguard the future of the sport and ensure that we are maximising all possible opportunities for growth.

"The committee itself has been assembled to ensure that we have expertise and deep knowledge of all parts of the jumps racing industry, as well as a geographical spread of delegates."

Gillespie said: "I very much look forward to working with the project group and to hearing opinions from across the sport.

"There is so much for jumps racing to be proud of and, inevitably, areas where it is not fulfilling its potential.

"The sport benefited substantially from a previous review in 2004 and the BHA feels this is an appropriate time to identify areas of improvement for the next decade."