Posted on 14 September 2011.
Bittar becomes new BHA Chief Executive.
Australian Paul Bittar has been unanimously selected by a special recruitment panel to become the new chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
The 41 year-old will take up his new position as head of Britain's racing governing authority in January 2012, taking over from Chris Brand, who has been stand-in Chief Executive since Nick Coward left the post in March of this year.
The Australian is no stranger to Britain, having been Project Manager for the British Horseracing Board in 2004 - 2005. Bittar is currently Chief Strategy Officer at Racing Victoria, but has now given notice to his current employers, and looking forward to his new post, Bittar said:
"It's a tremendous honour for me to be selected as the new Chief Executive of the BHA, the sport's spiritual home. My priority when taking over the role will be to work with the Board and Stake Holders to secure a sound business footing for the industry, while further enhancing its world leading racing programmes and standards of integrity and welfare.
"I'm looking forward to both the challenge and the pleasure of working in British Racing again."
Levy Board back Government action.
The Levy Board has re-iterated its support of the Governments position to ensure offshore betting operators contribute to racing's coffers.
In the Levy Board's annual report, Levy Board Chairman Paul Lee confirmed the organisations backing for the Governments intention to address offshore betting issues. Lee stresses that the current position is not a level playing field for on-shore operators, and a contribution from offshore operators would help to swell the Levy yield.
The Board's accounts show the yield for the 49th Levy Scheme (2010 - 2011) was £59.5 million, down from the £75.4 million of the 48th scheme, itself a fall from the 47th scheme, which produced a yield of £90.6 million.
Lee pointed out the Board had adopted a sensible and prudent approach to a challenging year, which had been brought about by the significant fall in income as well as the Board's requirement to set a balanced budget for the current year.
Posted on 13 September 2011.
Dubai to sponsor first ever Future Champions Day.
Dubai - Arguably the best known of the seven emirates of the UAE, has announced its sponsorship of the first ever Future Champions Day to
be held at Newmarket (UK) on Saturday 08 October.
Dubai Future Champions Day will feature six Group races with an opportunity to see some ofEurope's best two-year-old horses in action.
The sponsorship is an extension of the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, the most prestigious Group One race on the UK two-year-old calendar, which saw the talented Frankel win last year on his way to becoming the joint European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
As the race day name and history suggests, winners of the two Group One races on the day, the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes and the Emaar Middle Park
Stakes, are likely to be next season's aspiring champions.
Dubai has a strong association with horseracing and is well known for hosting the world's richest Group One horse race, the Dubai World Cup, which is now worth US$10 million and takes place in Dubai annually in March.
"Dubai Future Champions Day is an exciting new concept for juveniles, showcasing the best of their generation. His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed has a long affiliation with Newmarket racecourses and Dubai Future Champions Day is reflective of his continued support to the industry," said John Ferguson, Vice Chairman of Falcon and Associates and bloodstock advisor to UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Julian Richmond-Watson, Chairman of Newmarket Racecourses said,
"Dubai Future Champions Day can become a focus of real excitement in the British racing calendar. It promises a superb climax to the premier two-year-old Flat season.
“Dubai has already proven itself as a land of opportunity for horseracing and we're delighted with the continued support to this highly significant and world class fixture."
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