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Some interesting points here, and I too have sympathy with what Simon, TDK and others are saying. Do you honestly think we were sat here delighted with the timing?
I’ll try and explain some of the process which I hope helps.
We always try and avoid announcing these results ahead of big events, and in this instance the hearing was scheduled Monday 22nd June. After Royal Ascot, plenty of time ahead of Eclipse, and I think it was quite reasonable for us to expect a result in advance of the Eclipse. This was looking likely to be the case but then Nicky Henderson asked for a personal hearing. We wanted the hearing earlier in the week but his QC wasn’t available, so we had to go with Thursday.
Under normal circumstance, this would have taken place at 9/10am, but because there was another hearing (Burke, Rodgers et al) it couldn’t be until 4pm.
Now, once we are in that position, and the Panel know of their decision by late-ish Thursday evening, it would have been wholly unfair to withhold the result form Nicky Henderson until Monday AM.
If we’d have sent it to him but not released it I can guarentee you it’s in the papers on Saturday or on Sunday. Even if we’d have sent it out embargoed until 12.01am Monday 6th July, do you honestly think it wouldn’t have got out?
It is very unfortunate and it’s a problem we are always going to face with an independent Panel unless we essentially decide not to hold enquiries from June to when York’s finished.
The timing wasn’t just not great, it was bad, but circumstances conspired for it to be unavoidable.
However news happens and can you imagine the outcry if it came to light that the BHA was manipulating releasing news of such enquiries to avoid the news clashing with a major race that happens to be sponsored by some bookmaker.
Yeah – just imagine the headlines..
"Outrage as BHA delays verdict by two days and avoids coverage clashing with top race"
"British Racing in common sense shocker"
"BHA chief admits to "feel-good" blunder"
Council of Fourteen directive 131:
Every effort should be made to ensure that bad each-way races are buried beneath bad news, over-running egg and spoon events elsewhere (due to some fiasco or another) or by being sent off three minutes early while punters are still queuing for their ice creams.
This directive is in the interests of all council memebers and over-rides any individual interests with respect to sponsoring, laying dead ‘uns in the race in question etc
It seems quite clear that the desire to bury bad each-way races overrides the desire to bury bad news.
Now, once we are in that position, and the Panel know of their decision by late-ish Thursday evening, it would have been wholly unfair to withhold the result form Nicky Henderson until Monday AM.
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Thanks for the response Paul – it at least explains how the clash happened.
I’m not quite sure why it would be so "unfair" to withhold the result until Monday though. Presumably Henderson has had this hanging over him for a long time already and the original delay was due to his QC’s unavailability. I don’t see why the BHA couldnt say to him, "if your side delay until Thursday then we have to delay release of the verdict until Monday"?
It is that kind of thinking that we’ll have to consider in future TDK. Though I’m not sure it would stand legal challenge, it’s worth considering.
I don’t see why the BHA couldnt say to him, "if your side delay until Thursday then we have to delay release of the verdict until Monday"?
TDK
In theory fine, and possibly acceptable to the parties. But you know as well as I do that these have a habit of finding their way into the public domain earlier than intended. There’s a fair chance someone will blab to the media, which could make the situation worse than having an official announcement.
Rob
There is never a good time to announce the findings of such enquiries it is always going to be bad news for the sport.
However integrity must be the paramount concern of everyone involved in the sport.
If there was any suggestion that integrity disciplinary hearings were being deliberately delayed so as not to coincide with big meetings then the BHA would quite rightly be dragged through the mud and the credibility of the sport would be in absolute tatters.
Indeed an argument could be made the timing of the release of the Nicholson hearing was good coming before the Eclipse. OK a sponsor loses out on some publicity in Saturday’s press but the victory of Sea The Stars has relegated coverage of the Nicholson affair since.
Also with the news clashing with Owen’s move to Man Utd and it being Wimbledon finals weekend there was probably less coverage in the non-racing press than there would have been – and it is the non-racing press coverage which does more damage in teh public eye than anything in the RP which, by comparison, has a limited circulation.
Anyway apart from lost free publicity for Corals I don’t see what harm has been done due to the timing.
Those who would have watched the race anyway still watched it.
Sandown was, by all accounts, packed?
Was betting turnover down – I don’t know but if it was then it was just as likely to be the result of the favourite going off a skinny price rather than anything else.
Apart from a disgruntled sponsor who has been adversely impaced by the timing?
Racing would have received bad publicity whenever the story was released.
If there was any suggestion that integrity disciplinary hearings were being deliberately delayed so as not to coincide with big meetings then the BHA would quite rightly be dragged through the mud and the credibility of the sport would be in absolute tatters.
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What an absolute load of nonsense.
You have the communications spokesman from the BHA telling you on this very forum that they try their damndest to avoid these verdicts clashing with big race build ups -but for one reason or another failed to do so on this occasion.
That is an entirely sensible stance which in no way compromises the credibility of the sport.
If there was any suggestion that integrity disciplinary hearings were being deliberately delayed so as not to coincide with big meetings then the BHA would quite rightly be dragged through the mud and the credibility of the sport would be in absolute tatters.
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What an absolute load of nonsense.
So if someone disagrees with you it has to be nonsense does it – I think that says a geat deal more about you than it does me
You have the communications spokesman from the BHA telling you on this very forum that they try their damndest to avoid these verdicts clashing with big race build ups -but for one reason or another failed to do so on this occasion.
Funnily enough I can comprehend the English language and I don’t need you to explain what has already been written.
I read what Paul wrote – and I happen to disagree with the approach he suggests – which is the point I was making
That is an entirely sensible stance which in no way compromises the credibility of the sport.
That is your opinion – which is no more or less valid than mine – I happen to think it is not a sensible approach.
Paul,
Your posts used to be informative and worth reading but lately for some
reason that only you know they have become very aggressive.So if someone disagrees with you it has to be nonsense does it – I think that says a geat deal more about you than it does me
Not at all – just in this specific instance it happens to be .
If the BHA had delayed the verdict until today, there wouldn’t have been one dissenting voice and the idea that the
BHA would quite rightly be dragged through the mud and the credibility of the sport would be in absolute tatters.
is, as I said, complete nonsense.
Paul,
Your posts used to be informative and worth reading but lately for some
reason that only you know they have become very aggressive.Blue – trust me some of my recent postings on here have been very restrained indeed.
From the RP:
The wife of Henderson’s vet James Main, trainer Helen Main, is understood to be preparing a statement clarifying his role in the affair.
Helen or Heather? RP or GC correct?
Or are they sisters-in-law?
The BHA Trainers’ directory has trainer Mrs H S Main down as a "Heather". If there is a Helen Main training as well, I’m not aware of her.
I had rather more faith in you than I did the RP: lazy work from them
Thanks for the article Wit
An over-reaction from Simon Clare IMO.
“Would the result of a cricket inquiry come out on Wednesday, coinciding with the start of the Ashes? I don’t believe so.”
That’s hardly comparing like with like, is it?The Eclipse is merely another race on a typically congested summer Saturday for most punters, and that state of affairs has been brought about by the very organizations Clare represents.
Yesterday’s outburst smacks of another sad attempt at publicity for his firm.
Working in PR can seriously damage your sense of perspective.
I think that for "racing folk" it won’t have detracted from the event. Provided some gossip, yes, but people know when a good horse is around.
To be honest, what really will have swamped the Eclipse for non-racing folk was those guys with the bright green ball further into London, with Murray getting acres of print. That, Michael Jackson and the impending Ashes seemed to get most coverage in the papers I saw.
The Eclipse was an excellent spectacle, but the TV channel I was watching had to cut to Beverley immediately after the horses passed the post for the C.G.I Handicap (Class 4).
Which no doubt made Simon Clare’s blood boil as well.
I agree with Roseblossom, Wimbledon was a far more significant event to the general public. And the impending Ashes, the continuing coverage of Jackson’s death and a dozen other things.
The parochial attitudes here are on the part of those who feel that the public have had their heads turned by some bad racing news and have therefore neglected to bet upon, watch or generally give a hoot about the Eclipse. Non-racing folk neither know nor care what the Eclipse was (and why on earth should they?) And racing folk, who are aware of the race, are surely capable of holding two separate events in their heads at the same time.
Still, my main objection to Mr Clare’s statement was his employment of the word ‘gutting’, followed by the word ‘galling’. As far as I am aware, the Henderson case involved no disembowelling, nor did gall bladders feature prominently. I await an English translation.
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