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Three Global Experts Join the ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime

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The Asian Racing Federation’s Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime (ARF Council) announced today that it has expanded its membership to include three new experts to support integrity in racing and other sports:

  • Mr. Kim Kelly, former Chief Stipendiary Steward, The Hong Kong Jockey Club;
  • Mr. Michael Phelan, former CEO, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC); and
  • Mr. Luca Esposito, General Secretary, United Lotteries for Integrity in Sport (formerly Global Lottery Monitoring System) / Executive Director, World Lottery Association.

All three have significant experience in upholding integrity of racing and other sports or combatting financial crime.

Martin Purbrick, Chairperson of the ARF Council said that “Mr. Kim Kelly is one of the most respected Stipendiary Stewards in the world of horse racing. Kim’s membership will be of great benefit to the Council’s work as it seeks to highlight how the racing model of integrity works effectively to counter the negative influence from illegal betting markets, as well as provide guidance on how horse racing’s stewarding model in racing works alongside betting analysis to detect issues in the sport and react appropriately. Mr. Michael Phelan is one of the most senior former law enforcement officers in Australia, having had a career of more than 30 years with the ACIC as well as the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Michael is a lifelong horse racing fan and will strengthen our efforts to show how horse racing has the most effective approach to integrity of all sports. Mr. Luca Esposito is a valuable addition to the Council due to his knowledge and experience of technology in betting and he brings further alignment between the ARFCouncil and the legal betting industry regarding the problem of illegal betting.”

With the addition of these new members, the ARF Council now comprises 24 experts in sports and racing integrity, law enforcement, academia, and intergovernmental relations.

About the ARF and the ARF Council

The ARF is a regional federation comprising 28 national racing authorities and racing-related organisations from across Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

The ARF is formally linked with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Australia, Hong Kong and Japan have permanent seats representing the ARF on the Executive Council of the IFHA, and the ARF also nominates one of two rotational positions on the IFHA Executive Council.

Horse racing is a participation sport with riders who are exceptional participant athletes. Racing as a sport brings positive social outcomes, which are education (of participants), employment, economic productivity, and public participation (of large audiences across societies where racing takes place).

The above contributions made by ARF members result in a wide range of positive societal benefits. These are the result of a sport operating within clear legal boundaries and supporting legal licensed betting products that are part of the entertainment around racing. This legal basis is a key part of our belief in the importance of a positive economic and social contribution by the sport of horse racing.

The Asian Racing Federation Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime (ARF Council) was established in 2017 as a think tank aimed at combatting illegal betting and related financial crime. The ARF Council now comprises 24 members from organisations engaged in horse racing and sports integrity, law enforcement, the United Nations, and academia.

The ARF Council’s purpose is to research and share the scale and negative impacts of illegal betting, particularly as it relates to horse racing and sports integrity, and to foster international collaboration among stakeholders, such as horse racing operators and authorities, gambling regulators, law enforcement agencies, and government policy makers to raise awareness of the threat and to combat the negative impact of illegal betting and other financial crimes to horse racing, other sports, and to society.

55th International Conference – Racing’s Future in the Spotlight

Asian Racing Federation

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has launched the 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities.  Held virtually for the second consecutive year, the 2021 Conference examines global racing’s evolution and future challenges. The Japan Racing Association (JRA), also a member of the ARF, is the official partner of this year’s Conference.

Trainer Johnny Farrelly excluded from British racing

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Following a five-day hearing in front of the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP), trainer Johnny Farrelly has today been found in breach of six offences under Regulation 4 and one under Regulation 6 of the BHA Safeguarding Regulations following a referral by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to the National Safeguarding Panel.

BHA Disciplinary - William Haggas - Rule (G)2.1, fast-tracked

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£1,000 fine – breach of Rule (G)2.1 of the Rules of Racing in that on 17 July 2019 FIVE DIAMONDS ran in the 4Head Median Auction Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (Class 6) at Yarmouth finishing 1st. Following the race the Stewards ordered FIVE DIAMONDS to be post-race tested. On 7 August 2019 it was reported that the post-urine sample returned by FIVE DIAMONDS tested positive for HEPS.

BHA Disciplinary - Kim Bailey, Rule (D)11, fast-tracked

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£1,000 – Kim Bailey - breach of Rule (D)11 of the Rules of Racing in that on 31 March 2021 SUBWAY SURF (IRE) was due to run in the Join RacingTV Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 4) at Ludlow Racecourse.  After arriving at Ludlow the horse was scanned into the stable yard, during which the Equine Welfare and Integrity Officer noticed a substance around SUBWAY SURF (IRE)’s mouth and the Veterinary Officer was informed.  Following the report, a bag and lorry search was carried out and two unlabelled 50ml syringes containing an unidentifiable brown liquid were found.  One syringe was full, the other was empty, but with the brown liquid residue still within.  His representative explained to the Veterinary Officer that she had witnessed the horse being administered one of the syringes by one of the Head Lads either before or as the horse was being loaded to travel on the morning of the race.  Furthermore, she explained that the substance was ‘Pullman Pro’ and the horse was due to be administered the second syringe after the race.  

Bloodstock Industry Forum publishes Code of Practice

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The Bloodstock Industry Forum (BIF) is pleased to announce the completion of the new Bloodstock Industry Code of Practice which will be formally incorporated into the rules of British Racing on August 16th and replaces the previous Bloodstock Industry Code of Practice which has been in place since in 2009 and the ITBA Sales Code of Practice, operational since 2010. The new Code of Practice has been drawn up in response to the central recommendation made in the BHA Review of the Buying and Selling of Bloodstock and Racehorses in British Racing which was released in December 2019.

Nicky Henderson - Rule (E)12, fast-tracked

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£750 fine - A breach of Rule (E)12 of the Rules of Racing in that on 5 July 2021 LELANTOS (IRE) ran in The Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 5) at Worcester, where it had been reported by the Veterinary Officer that the horse appeared to be suffering from ringworm.  The skin scrapings taken from LELANTOS (IRE) were reported by Rossdales Laboratories as being positive for ringworm.

Pam Sly - Rule (D)28, fast-tracked

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£200 fine - A breach of Rule (D)28 of the Rules of Racing in that when DARK SPEC ran at Beverly on 19 July 2021 she had not informed the Racing Calendar Office that the horse had been gelded before the deadline as required

BHA confirms changes to the Rules of Racing

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  • All horses entered to run in a race in Britain must be signed out of the human food chain via its passport by 1 January 2022
  • Equine Influenza vaccination requirements updated, in line with other European racing nations
  • Rules regarding use of bisphosphonates updated, in line with European harmonised position

LawInSport Weekly News Recap - 24 September

LIS News Roundup

Welcome to LawInSport’s weekly News Roundup.  This recap highlights this week’s news pieces from across the world of sport. For further updates, please visit our news section.

We hope you find this useful. If you have any related questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Result of an Enquiry (K. Lundie) heard by the Disciplinary Panel on Thursday 26 August 2021

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1. On 26 August 2021 the independent Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) convened to consider whether Mr Kevin Lundie, a licensed professional flat jockey, was in breach of Rule (K)49 (a jockey must ensure that no Banned Substance is present in their body) and/or Rule (L)5.2 (where an approved person requires a person to attend an interview the person must attend the interview at the agreed time and place).

David Loughnane - Rule (E)12, fast-tracked

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£750 fine - A breach of Rule (E)12 of the Rules of Racing in that on 29 June 2021 FOREVER BRIGHT (IRE) ran in The Peter Villars Sportsground Maintenance Restricted Maiden Stakes (Class 5) at Chepstow, where it had been reported by the Veterinary Officer that the horse appeared to be suffering from ringworm.  The skin scrapings taken from FOREVER BRIGHT (IRE) were reported by Rossdales Laboratories as being positive for ringworm.

Maurice Barnes - Rule (D)30, fast-tracked

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£290 fine - A breach of Rule (D)30 of the Rules of Racing in that notification of the wind surgery undergone by FISHER GREEN (IRE) had not been notified to the Racing Calendar Office until after declarations prior to the horse running at Hexham on 20 June 2021.

BHA Disciplinary - Brian Ellison - Rule (K)1, fast-tracked

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£1,000 fine - A breach of Rule (K)1 of the Rules of Racing in that a post-race urine sample taken from DEFINITLY RED (IRE) on 29 February 2020 following its run in the William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Premier Chase at Kelso tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide.

Result of an Appeal (J. Watson) heard by the Disciplinary Panel on Thursday 27 May 2021

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 1. The Race: 

This was the 1.10 at Nottingham on 18 May 2021, a Class 5 British Station Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) for 2-year-olds over 6 furlongs. Mr Watson rode NOISY NIGHT. Soon after the start the horse veered sharply left and lost a lot of ground. No criticism could be made of Mr Watson’s riding of the horse at that stage and he did his best to get the horse under control. However, as proved to be common ground in the hearing before us, thereafter he failed to comply with Rule (F)37of the Rules of Racing in that: (F)37 .1 he did not and was not seen to ask the horse for timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible placing and (F)37.2 he did not take all other reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that the horse was given a full opportunity to achieve the best possible position. That is not of course and as we emphasise the end of the matter as we considered and as is set out below.

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