Future of British Racing

Lord Allen's resignation as BHA chair after just six months has triggered an extraordinary racecourse revolt, with Ascot leading a group of Britain's most powerful tracks in a call for urgent governance reform.

News of Allen's departure from the BHA at 9.18am on Tuesday was followed 22 minutes later by a call from the Jockey Club and leading courses Ascot, Goodwood, Newbury and York for an urgent review of the Racecourse Association's (RCA) governance "to support industry change".

The ultimatum included an endorsement for the establishment of a new, independent board at the BHA, which had been one of Allen's conditions for joining the organisation in the first place. 

The signatories made it clear they wanted more say in key decisions affecting the sport, while Ascot's chief executive Felicity Barnard said it would be prepared to leave the RCA if necessary. Thoroughbred Group chairman Julian Richmond-Watson also gave his support to an independent BHA board.

The long-expected news that Allen had resigned came after the governing body's members failed to reach an agreement on reforms to create an independent board and a more commercial remit. It followed weeks of growing speculation that his position was in doubt, prompted by a stalemate between Allen and the sport's other major power brokers – racecourses and racing's participants.