Simon Cox has been appointed as the new independent non-executive chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), a role he will assume starting on October 1, 2026, for a term of three years. The BHA announced his appointment on Wednesday, highlighting his extensive background in both horse racing and the global beverage industry.
Cox has over 15 years of experience in horse racing, owning more than 10 broodmares at Shade Oak Stud. He has served as a trustee for the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) since November 2021 and chairs the BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee. His involvement also extends to the High Quality Horse group, which seeks to improve the caliber and quantity of horses in Britain’s racing industry.
In addition to his racing credentials, Cox spent over 30 years in the global beer and beverage sector, including a notable tenure as the European president and CEO of Molson Coors starting in 2014. Under his leadership, the company achieved a turnover of approximately £2 billion and employed 6,500 people.
Cox regards his new position as "an honour" and recognizes the challenges facing British horse racing and breeding. He emphasized the need for collaboration to tackle these issues, focusing on increasing participation and income in the sport.
A significant concern for the BHA is the UK government’s increase in Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) tax from 21% to 40%, which took effect in April this year. This tax hike led the BHA to partake in strikes last September. The organization has warned that this policy change could lead to a loss of £330 million ($447 million) for the racing industry over five years, along with potentially 2,752 job losses in the first year alone.
Kyrsten Halley, chair of the interim Nominations Committee, commended Cox’s deep understanding of British racing and his comprehensive plan to address the industry’s challenges. She expressed confidence in his vision for improving governance, growth, welfare, and relations with government.
David Jones, the BHA’s interim chair, called Cox “a well-established and respected figure” in the industry, known for his determination.
The Betting and Gaming Council welcomed the appointment, stating that it presents an opportunity for strong leadership and commercial focus, alongside improved industry collaboration.
Cox’s appointment followed a rigorous recruitment process involving independent members and nominees from various racing associations. To uphold impartiality, he will resign from his trustee role at the TBA and step down as chair of the Jump Pattern Committee and from the High Quality Horse group prior to joining the BHA board.
Additionally, the BHA has recently expressed opposition to the Gambling Commission's rollout of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) aimed at monitoring problematic spending behaviors amongst bettors. The FRAs will flag customers with net deposits exceeding £5,000 within a 24-hour period for credit checks. BHA CEO Brant Dunshea criticized these checks as detrimental to British racing, warning that they could drive customers into illegal gambling markets. He asserted that the measures will impose excessive scrutiny on bettors and are unlikely to be as seamless as the Commission had claimed.
