Lord Allen resigns as British Horseracing Authority chair after just six months

The British Horseracing Authority has announced that Lord Allen has resigned as the ruling body’s chair after less than a year in the post.

Lord Charles Allen was nominated for the position late in 2024 after a search and he officially took up the role last September.

In a statement confirming his resignation, Lord Allen said: “Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport and who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed.

“I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future.”

Lord Allen took the role after the member organisations of the BHA (Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and licensed personnel) unanimously agreed that there should be a completely independent board and that the BHA should have a commercial remit.

The members, who currently nominate representatives to the board, have not been able to reach agreement between themselves on changing the rules of the BHA to allow the achievement of those two goals as a change requires unanimous support. Accordingly, Lord Allen has resigned.

David Jones, senior independent director of the BHA, said: “The board would like to thank Charles for the time and effort that he has put into the role helping us to develop a vision that is aspirational and achievable, and we regret that we were unable to put in place at this time the governance changes that would have enabled us to progress this. I have enjoyed working with him and wish him continued success.”

The BHA board will now discuss and determine what interim arrangements will be put in place.

In light of the failure of BHA members to establish an independent BHA board, a number of high-profile racecourses and The Jockey Club have collectively written to the Racecourse Association (RCA) calling for an “urgent review” of its governance to support industry change.

Ascot, Goodwood, the Jockey Club, Newbury and York are requesting a proposal for reform by the end of April, with the objectives set out aimed at ensuring the board and voting representation is balanced and credible, that significant views from key racecourses can influence outcomes and that the organisation can act decisively on matters affecting the wider industry.

A press release also stated that all signatories remain committed to working collaboratively across the sport, support strong central leadership for British racing by the BHA – enabled by the establishment of an independent BHA Board – and believe the present BHA governance arrangements “prevent timely and effective decision making.”

The signatories also make clear that they require a “constructive governance review of the RCA to ensure that they are able to effectively participate in decisions that influence the future of the sport”.