British Horseracing Authority confident in benefits of padded hurdles

The British Horseracing Authority has defended its use of the new padded hurdles in light of criticism of them from Nicky Henderson following Constitution Hill’s latest fall at Newcastle.

Speaking on Sunday Henderson said: “Out of all the people ringing up, by far the most common thing they have said is they should get rid of those hurdles and I couldn’t agree with them more.”

The padded hurdles, rather than traditional birch filled ones, have been gradually introduced over the last 10 years, with all courses required to have them by October 2026.

In a post on X, the BHA said: “Padded hurdles were introduced following an extensive design and development process, which included working with racecourses, trainers and jockeys.

“The hurdle design consists of a standard timber hurdle frame with a fitted ‘closed cell’ foam padded frontage, rather than the traditional birch, and is designed to reduce faller rates and the risk of injury for both horse and rider when mistakes are made.

“Since their phased introduction 10 years ago the hurdles have shown that they reduce the risk of falling by 11 per cent compared to birch hurdles. Since 2016 the overall faller rate over hurdles has decreased from 1.96 per cent to 1.65 per cent, with other factors such as the move from orange to white obstacles also contributing to this.

“They have also shown a reduction in injuries, including those caused by splinters which sometimes associated with the birch hurdles, as well as fewer skin-related injuries.

“Their phased roll out continues and they will be in place at all racecourses by October 1, 2026.”

Speaking on Sky Sports Racing, former jockeys Mick Fitzgerald and Luke Harvey gave their views on both the hurdles and Constitution Hill’s current issues, which have seen him fall three times in his last four races.

Fitzgerald said: “If you watch horses school over them at home they rub them all the time, with normal hurdles a horse will back off and jump them properly. The horses realise these ones are foam.

“For whatever reason, I personally feel he (Constitution Hill) has lost his confidence to change his mind. Often with a horse with his ability they stand off a fair way – let’s not forget when he won his Champion Hurdle he almost took off outside the wing – those classy two-milers I often felt could either meet one long or meet it spot on.

“When you are going Champion Hurdle speed you can’t be adjusting a horse’s stride, if you do that you give away any advantage a horse has.”

Harvey said: “He’s had three almighty crashing falls and in my humble opinion he’s lost his bottle. People keep saying he’s too brave, he’s not, he’s second-guessing himself.

“He jumped the first at Newcastle like a show jumper. He got into the bottom, bent his back, popped it and jumped it beautifully then he’s gone down to the next, there’s no stride and he’s thrown himself at it.

“If he was my horse he’d never jump an obstacle again. Nicky Henderson is far better than me, but to blame the hurdles – he’d fall over a box of tissues at the moment.

“The great thing about him is that he could have another career, let’s go Flat racing with him.”

Speaking on the Nick Luck Daily podcast on Monday, Henderson ruled out retirement for his former champion – but admitted to being tempted by a run on the Flat.

“I suppose one’s first reaction was, ‘Can I go on asking him to do this and asking Nico (de Boinville) and him to go and do something where you have to accept that at some stage somebody might get hurt doing it?” said Henderson.

“He’s been lucky that he’s had three falls and come home unscathed. It’s pretty gruelling and we’re not going to ask him to do something if we don’t think it’s right to do so.

“The one thing I wouldn’t rule out is giving him a run on the Flat. He’s such a high-class horse that you might find there are crazy things he could do under the other code. It’s a possibility and among the many different options.”