Who owns or governs British Horseracing Authority, and what does it do?
The BHA is a private company limited by guarantee without share capital, and Companies House lists The Racecourse Association Limited as holding more than 25% but not more than 50% of its voting rights. It is led by a Board, chaired since 1 October 2026 by Simon Cox, and an executive team under Chief Executive Officer Brant Dunshea. The BHA is responsible for the governance, administration and regulation of horseracing in Britain, including licensing, racecourse regulation, the fixture list, handicapping and raceday operations. It also says it leads on equine welfare and on the health and welfare of the sport's participants.
Ownership and governance
The BHA is registered at Companies House as British Horseracing Authority Limited (02813358), a private company limited by guarantee without share capital. The company was incorporated on 28 April 1993 as The British Horseracing Board Limited and took its current name on 31 July 2007. The Jockey Club’s heritage page says the British Horseracing Board and the Horserace Regulatory Authority merged in July 2007 to form the BHA. Companies House lists The Racecourse Association Limited as a person with significant control, holding more than 25% but not more than 50% of the voting rights.
The BHA says its Board provides strategic leadership, is made up of ten Directors and meets eight times a year. The directors it lists include independent non-executive directors and member-nominated directors, among them the Chair of the Racecourse Association and a director representing owners, breeders and licensed personnel. Simon Cox formally became Chair on 1 October 2026, and Brant Dunshea was appointed Chief Executive Officer in March 2026. The BHA’s responsibilities include licensing, regulating racecourses, rules compliance, the fixture list and race planning, handicapping, racing administration, raceday operations and medical services. On 2 October 2026 it said the Horserace Betting Levy Board had approved a £2.2 million increase in prize money funding for 2027, which it estimates will add £3 million to prize money and bonuses.
Key people
- Simon CoxChair
- Brant DunsheaChief Executive Officer
- Alan SwitzerChief Financial Officer
- Richard WaymanDirector of Racing
- Helen BryceGeneral Counsel
- John BurgessDirector of Integrity
- Aja HallDirector of Regulation
- James GivenDirector of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare
As listed on Board and Executive / British Horseracing Authority.
Status and listing
- Status
- Not listed
Where it operates
- United Kingdom
As the organisation reports it. See sources.
Key dates
- 1993
- The British Horseracing Board was set up to govern racing, according to The Jockey Club; the company was incorporated on 28 April 1993.
- 2006
- In April the Horserace Regulatory Authority was formed to take over The Jockey Club's policing role, according to The Jockey Club.
- 2007
- In July the British Horseracing Board and the Horserace Regulatory Authority merged to form the British Horseracing Authority; the company took its current name on 31 July 2007.
- 2020
- In February the industry's Horse Welfare Board published its five-year strategic plan for the welfare of horses bred for racing.
- 2026
- In March Brant Dunshea was appointed Chief Executive Officer, having been Acting Chief Executive Officer since January 2025.
- 2026
- On 3 September the BHA published the 2027 fixture list, with 1,440 fixtures scheduled.
- 2026
- On 1 October Simon Cox formally took up the role of Chair.
Questions readers ask
Who owns the British Horseracing Authority?
The BHA is a private company limited by guarantee without share capital. Companies House lists The Racecourse Association Limited as holding more than 25% but not more than 50% of its voting rights.
What does the British Horseracing Authority do?
It is responsible for the governance, administration and regulation of horseracing in Britain. Its work includes licensing, regulating racecourses, rules compliance, the fixture list and race planning, handicapping, raceday operations and leadership of equine welfare.
Where is the British Horseracing Authority based?
Its offices are at Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AN.
Sources
Figures are taken from the documents listed below and carry the date they refer to.
- What we do / British Horseracing Authority
- Board and Executive / British Horseracing Authority
- Statement from new BHA Chair Simon Cox (1 October 2026)
- British Horseracing Authority publishes 2027 fixture list (3 September 2026)
- Prize money funding boost of £2.2m confirmed for 2027 following publication of fixture list (2 October 2026)
- British Horseracing Authority Limited (02813358), Companies House
- British Horseracing Authority Limited, persons with significant control, Companies House
- Our heritage / The Jockey Club
