The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has appointed Simon Cox as its new independent non-executive chair, effective October 1, 2026. Cox, an experienced racehorse owner-breeder and former global beverage executive, brings more than 15 years of experience in the horse racing industry. Having owned over 10 broodmares at Shade Oak Stud, he also serves as a trustee of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) since November 2021 and chairs the BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee. Cox is involved in the High Quality Horse group, which works to improve the quality and quantity of horses in British racing.
Cox's professional background is extensive, having spent over 30 years in the global beer sector—most notably as the European president and CEO of Molson Coors from 2014, where he oversaw a £2 billion turnover and managed 6,500 employees.
Upon his appointment, Cox expressed that it was an “honour” while emphasizing the strategic challenges facing British horse racing. He aims to unify efforts within the industry to tackle these issues with a particular focus on increasing participation, expanding the customer base, and enhancing income streams.
A pressing concern for the BHA is the recent increase of the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) tax from 21% to 40%, implemented in April this year. The BHA had taken strike action against this tax hike in September of the previous year, warning that it could lead to £330 million ($447 million) in losses for the racing industry over five years and the potential loss of up to 2,752 jobs in the first year.
Kyrsten Halley, chair of the interim Nominations Committee, commended Cox for his profound understanding of British racing and his strategic vision to address the challenges faced by the sport. David Jones, the interim chair of the BHA, praised Cox as a well-respected figure within the industry, highlighting his determination and decisiveness.
The Betting and Gaming Council welcomed Cox's appointment, noting the opportunity for strong leadership and a clear commercial focus to strengthen the sport through collaboration.
Cox’s appointment followed a comprehensive recruitment process that included independent members and nominations from various associations, including the Racecourse Association and the Racehorse Owners Association. To remain impartial in his new role, Cox will resign from his trustee position at the TBA and step down from his chairmanship of the Jump Pattern Committee and his membership in the High Quality Horse group.
The BHA has also been vocal in opposing the Gambling Commission's Financial Risk Assessment (FRA) rollout, which targets customers with problematic spending behaviors. The BHA's CEO, Brant Dunshea, criticized the proposed credit checks associated with the FRAs as severe and warned that they could harm British racing and the broader UK economy, expressing concern that such measures would push customers toward illegal markets.
