Simon Cox, a seasoned racehorse owner-breeder and former global beverage executive, will become the new independent non-executive chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). His appointment, announced on Wednesday, will commence on October 1, 2026, and will last for three years.
With over 15 years in the horse racing industry, Cox currently owns more than 10 broodmares at Shade Oak Stud. He has served as a trustee of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) since November 2021 and chairs the BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee. He is also involved with the High Quality Horse group, which aims to improve the quality and quantity of horses bred, owned, trained, and raced in Britain.
Cox’s professional experience extends beyond racing; he has over 30 years in the global beer and beverage industry, notably as European president and CEO of Molson Coors since 2014. Under his leadership, the company reported a turnover of approximately £2 billion and managed a workforce of 6,500.
Cox described his new role as “an honour,” emphasizing the strategic moment for British racing and breeding. He acknowledged the significant challenges ahead, stating, "It’s no secret that we face significant challenges and my focus will be on ensuring racing works together to address these, with a particular emphasis on growing participation in the sport, our customer base, and critically our income streams."
A pressing issue for the BHA has been the UK government's increase in the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) tax from 21% to 40%, effective April this year. The BHA had previously initiated strike action against this tax hike in September. The organization estimated that this policy change could cost the racing industry £330 million ($447 million) in the first five years, with the potential loss of up to 2,752 jobs within the first year.
Kyrsten Halley, chair of the interim Nominations Committee that recruited Cox, commended his deep knowledge and understanding of British racing. Halley noted that Cox presented a “clear and compelling plan” to address the sport's challenges, focusing on governance, growth strategies, equine welfare, and relations with the government.
David Jones, the BHA’s interim chair, described Cox as “a very well-established and deeply respected figure within our industry” who possesses the “steely determination and decisiveness” required. The Betting and Gaming Council welcomed Cox's appointment, stating it presents an opportunity to reinforce the sport through strong leadership and closer collaboration within the industry.
Cox's selection followed a thorough recruitment process involving independent members and nominees from the Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, and TBA. To ensure neutrality, he will resign from his trustee position at TBA and step down from his roles on the Jump Pattern Committee and in the High Quality Horse group before officially joining the BHA board.
The BHA has also been vocal in opposing the Gambling Commission’s recent rollout of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), which target customers with problematic spending behaviors. Following the announcement, BHA CEO Brant Dunshea criticized the checks, warning they could lead to severe financial repercussions for British racing and the broader UK economy. He characterized the checks as “severe” and likely to impose excessive intrusion on racing bettors, believing they would push customers toward the illegal market. Dunshea underlined that despite claims of a frictionless process, practical difficulties were revealed during pilot tests.
