BHB warns over further boycotts

Handlers enjoy smooth start

Racing's rulers have warned jockeys against taking further action after a boycott at Wolverhampton racecourse in the stall handlers' dispute.

Talks are due later this week aimed at resolving the row which led to top Flat jockeys refusing to ride at the Arena Leisure-owned track on Monday.

And British Horseracing Board chief executive Greg Nichols said there is no need for riders to strike.

Jockeys are concerned about safety under new arrangements.

Arena replaced RaceTech stalls staff with an in-house team, and some riders are worried about the use of relatively inexperienced staff.

But Nichols has backed Arena after Monday evening's first fixture went off without too many hitches, and indicated he is willing to act as a mediator.

"Arena's decision to install its own stalls handling team was vindicated not only on commercial grounds but, as importantly, from a competency perspective," said Nichols.

"British racing has long been an international standard-bearer for issues of human and equine welfare, and the Jockey Club's accreditation procedures ensure this reputation is safeguarded.

"Jockeys have made their views clear to Arena and, with further talks to take place, there is no justification whatsoever in considering action at any future fixtures.

"BHB is willing to play any constructive intermediary role we can in finding a way forward on the commercial issues that have been raised, but in the meantime it should be business as usual for racing day-to-day."

MAIN ISSUES Role: Handlers must get sometimes highly-strung thoroughbreds into the metal starting stalls Help: Many riders are grateful for the experience of RaceTech staff In-house: Arena opted to use its own team after facing increased charges from RaceTech Job losses: Some RaceTech staff have been served redundancy notices Safety: Arena has increased training and won Jockey Club backing. It has also recruited some ex-RaceTech staff

Arena director of racing Ian Renton has said he will meet with Jockeys Assocation chief John Blake.

"I've arranged a meeting for the end of this week with John Blake and Mick Both of RaceTech to discuss the way forward for the racing industry," said Renton.

"The important thing was the stalls team we put in place proved themselves very capable and professional handlers and we certainly hope that the jockeys' boycott will be seen as a one-off and we can move forward from now on."

Arena's handlers will be in action throughout the winter at all-weather courses Lingfield, Southwell and Wolverhampton. The firm also owns turf tracks at Windsor, Folkestone and Worcester.

"We hope to have one large team looking after Southwell and Wolverhampton and a separate team looking after Lingfield," added Renton.

"The plans at the moment are just to be on the all-weather all the year round.

"At the moment we haven't looked at the situation on turf tracks yet.

"The team we have are made up generally of ex-RaceTech employees and we will give them further training so they work together as a team - they will be in action next on September 3 at Wolverhampton."

Earlier, some riders had indicated they were standing firm in the dispute.

Have Your Say What do you make of the dispute?

Senior jockey Steve Drowne said: "We are still very concerned about the future, concerned about who racecourses will be using next year to put horses into the stalls.

"We hate doing this sort of thing. That's why we don't do it all the time but this is something that needs to be resolved and until it is, our position won't change."

The new team enjoyed a relatively trouble-free start at Wolverhampton on Monday evening.

Jockeys' representative Blake is keen to work towards a mutually satisfactory conclusion.

"I am disappointed that it has come to this, disappointed that nothing has really been resolved," he said.

"But I have had a long discussion with Greg Nichols (British Horseracing Board chief executive) on Monday and I intend to talk to Ian Renton and I am still optimistic that agreement can be reached."