British, Irish, and Japanese Horse Racing Regulatory Bodies Form Joint Committee

In a remarkable development for the horse racing world, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Horse Racing Ireland have joined hands with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) to create the Joint Cooperation Committee. This collaborative effort seeks to achieve several important objectives.

One of the primary goals of this committee is to promote Japanese horses on a global scale. Additionally, it aims to facilitate easier travel for connections involved in the sport between these regions, fostering international racing partnerships.

The Joint Cooperation Committee also seeks to raise awareness of each region's horse racing industry while working on regulatory matters. This collaboration is expected to further internationalize horse racing, opening doors for new opportunities and fan engagement.

Heading this initiative will be Joe Saumarez Smith, who also serves as the Chairman of the BHA. Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, he emphasized the longstanding relationship between British, Irish, and Japanese horse racing industries and the potential for increased participation and revenue generation.

In a related development, the BHA has taken steps to address the decline in betting on British races. The organization has improved prize money, race quality, and race scheduling for the 2024 season, aiming to entice punters to bet on British horse racing once more. These changes could significantly benefit racing's finances in the coming years, although challenges may arise during the transition.