The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the interim appointment of Sir Philip Davies to its board, taking on the role of Member Nominated Director (MND) representing the Racecourse Association (RCA). This change, effective immediately, follows the RCA's internal selection process and sees Sir Philip replace Wilf Walsh, who had been one of the RCA's two MNDs on the BHA board since October 2021. Sir Philip joined the RCA board earlier this year and served as the MP for Shipley from 2005 until 2024.
Throughout his time in parliament, Sir Philip has played significant roles related to the racing and betting sectors. He co-chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Betting and Gaming (APPG) and held the position of vice-chair for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock. His tenure with APPG included initiating inquiries into the prominent 2005 Gambling Act review and the subsequent 2023 white paper.
Currently, Sir Philip chairs the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) and the National Horseracing College located in Doncaster. He also previously served as a board member for the Racehorse Owners Association.
Simon Cox, BHA chair, expressed his enthusiasm for Sir Philip’s appointment, stating, "I am pleased to welcome Sir Philip to the BHA Board. Throughout his time in parliament he was a strong advocate for racing and betting, helping to ensure the interests of our sport were understood by his fellow politicians, and I look forward to working with him." Cox took on his chair position earlier this month, in October.
Additionally, Cox acknowledged Wilf Walsh’s significant contributions to the board over the last five years.
In his own remarks, Sir Philip noted, "I am delighted to be joining the BHA Board to represent the interests of racecourses. Racing is a sport and industry for which I have long held a strong interest and I look forward to working with board members and stakeholders across the sport to support its long-term success."
His appointment occurs amid concerns regarding a potential increase in machine gaming duty (MGD), which many in the industry fear could severely impact horseracing. An analysis by Regulus estimated that if MGD were to double, it could cost the horse racing industry approximately £92 million annually, representing roughly one-third of its betting-derived income. This increase could jeopardize essential investments in funding and research.
BHA’s director of communications and corporate affairs, Greg Swift, urged the government to consider the repercussions of a tax hike on betting shops for the horseracing sector, emphasizing the need for sustainable financial support for British racing and the 85,000 jobs that depend on it.
