Lord Allen resigns as British Horseracing Authority chair

The British Horseracing Authority has announced that Lord Allen has resigned as the ruling body’s chair after less than a year in the post.

Lord Charles Allen was nominated for the position late in 2024 after a search and he officially took up the role last September.

In a statement confirming his resignation, Lord Allen said: “Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport and who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed.

“I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future.”

Lord Allen took the role after the member organisations of the BHA (Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and licensed personnel) unanimously agreed that there should be a completely independent board and that the BHA should have a commercial remit.

The members, who currently nominate representatives to the board, have not been able to reach agreement between themselves on changing the rules of the BHA to allow the achievement of those two goals as a change requires unanimous support. Accordingly, Lord Allen has resigned.

David Jones, the senior independent director of the BHA, said: “The board would like to thank Charles for the time and effort that he has put into the role helping us to develop a vision that is aspirational and achievable, and we regret that we were unable to put in place at this time the governance changes that would have enabled us to progress this. I have enjoyed working with him and wish him continued success.”

The BHA board will now discuss and determine what interim arrangements will be put in place.