Simon Cox has been appointed as the new independent non-executive chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), beginning on October 1, 2026, for a term of three years. The announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a significant development for the organization.
Cox, an experienced racehorse owner-breeder with over 15 years in the industry, has previously owned more than 10 broodmares at Shade Oak Stud. His involvement in horse racing includes serving as a trustee of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association since November 2021 and chairing the BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee. He is also affiliated with the High Quality Horse group, which focuses on improving the breeding, ownership, training, and racing landscape in Britain.
In addition to his equine endeavors, Cox brings over 30 years of experience from the global beer and beverage sector, notably having been the European president and CEO of Molson Coors starting in 2014. Under his leadership, the company achieved a turnover of about £2 billion and oversaw 6,500 employees.
Cox expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, referring to it as “an honour.” He highlighted the strategic importance of his position in addressing the significant challenges facing British horse racing and breeding. "It’s no secret that we face significant challenges," he stated, reiterating his goal to foster collaboration in the sport to increase participation, grow the customer base, and enhance income streams.
A major concern confronting the BHA is the UK government’s increase of the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) tax from 21% to 40%, effective April 2023. This tax hike prompted the BHA to implement strike action last September. The organization has indicated that this policy change could result in losses of nearly £330 million ($447 million) for the racing industry over the first five years, with up to 2,752 jobs potentially at risk in the year following the increase.
Kyrsten Halley, chair of the interim Nominations Committee responsible for Cox’s recruitment, commended his extensive knowledge of British racing and breeding along with his thorough plan for addressing the sport’s challenges. She added that his vision for advancing governance, growth strategy, welfare for equines and humans, and relations with the government assured the committee of his capability for exceptional leadership at this crucial juncture for the industry.
Cox will vacate his trustee position at the TBA and relinquish his roles as chair of the Jump Pattern Committee and member of the High Quality Horse group to ensure impartiality when he formally joins the BHA board. David Jones, the interim chair of the BHA, remarked that Cox is a highly regarded figure in the industry, known for his determination and decisiveness.
The Betting and Gaming Council also welcomed Cox's appointment, noting that it represents a chance to strengthen the sport through decisive leadership, a clear commercial focus, and enhanced collaboration.
In recent months, the BHA has been vocal in its opposition to the Gambling Commission's rollout of the Financial Risk Assessment (FRA) measures. These assessments target customers displaying potentially harmful spending behaviors, flagging individuals whose net deposits surpass £5,000 within a 24-hour period, which leads to credit checks being triggered. BHA CEO Brant Dunshea has criticized the FRAs, calling them "self-harm on an immense scale” and warning of their potential damaging financial impact on British racing and the broader UK economy. He argued that contrary to the Gaming Commission’s claim of a frictionless process, the pilot program revealed considerable operational issues, which may drive customers toward illegal gambling options.
