BHA publishes findings of internal investigation relating to Speculative Bid incident
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today announced that it has concluded its internal investigation into the course of events surrounding the Gigaset International Stakes at Ascot on 25 July, and published the findings.
The investigation was carried out by BHA Independent Regulatory Director Andrew Merriam, and reported into Chief Executive Nick Rust. Interviews were conducted with those BHA officials involved on the day, BHA Director of Raceday Operations and Regulation Jamie Stier, who was also present on the day, and two of the raceday Stewards, Hopper Cavendish and Christopher Rathcreedan.
The investigation has identified procedural failings in three principal areas and disciplinary action has been taken where appropriate.
Nick Rust, Chief Executive of the BHA, said:
“This was clearly a regrettable episode, and on what was a high-profile raceday, the BHA was not seen to best effect. Our investigation has established what was, in effect, a number of errors on the day, several of them sadly not excused by the fact that they were well-intentioned and seeking to improve or rectify the situation, but actually compounded the original errors."
“We must and will learn lessons from this episode, and implement the recommendations of the investigation. This includes appropriate formal disciplinary action being taken against those responsible, which the BHA has already acted upon."
“I would like to once again apologise to off-course betting operators and on-course bookmakers and their customers for the inconvenience and cost caused by the confusion which subsequently arose after the premature announcement of the ‘Weighed-In’ signal.”
