News Summary:
On April 26, 2026, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Board approved changes to the Rules of Racing concerning the duration horses must remain on a racecourse post-race and clarifying prohibited shoe types. Previously, on April 23, 2026, the Equine Infectious Diseases Surveillance (EIDS) team identified a recent increase in reported equine influenza cases in the non-thoroughbred herd, including vaccinated horses, a situation the BHA is closely monitoring. Earlier, on April 21, 2026, Britain became the first horseracing nation to pilot in-race heart monitors for racehorses in 2025, using technology to track heart rhythm and activity for health and performance insights. On April 17, 2026, the UK Government maintained the 10% Horserace Betting Levy, with its structure unchanged, as stated by Baroness Twycross and reiterated by Ian Murray; bookmakers generating over £500,000 in annual gross profits from British horseracing bets must pay 10%. This followed news on April 14, 2026, that Grade 1-winning trainer Micky Hammond received a six-month ban, suspended for 12 months, and an £8,000 fine after three of his runners tested positive for a banned raceday substance within a month.
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