The British Horseracing Authority is considering limiting the number of horses a trainer can run in major handicaps, the Racing Post reported Dec. 12.
The governing body has written to a number of stakeholders to tell them it is contemplating the move and to seek their views.
The news comes following the reignition of the debate over the increasing domination of a small number of trainers in jump racing.
It is understood the BHA is proposing a change to the rules of racing that would mean a trainer would be limited to declaring a maximum of four runners in any individual handicap at Class 1 or Class 2 level. It does not favor applying the same limits to weight-for-age races due to concerns it would compromise the quality of such contests, and nor are there plans to place similar restrictions on the number of horses an owner can run in a race.
Asked to comment, a BHA spokesperson said: “From time to time the BHA will contact stakeholders for views on various issues. We would not comment on speculation around private discussions.”
Last month, Gordon Elliott was responsible for a record 14 of the 20 runners in the Troytown Chase at Navan, winning the prestigious contest with Coko Beach and being responsible for four of the first five home.
Afterward, Elliott said: “All my owners are paying training fees and entry fees and they want to run, so I don’t think I have anyone to answer to. All I want to do is do my best for every horse and every owner.”
The Troytown again raised questions about major trainers stifling competition, questions which have been given greater urgency with the decision to reduce the maximum field for the Grand National to 34 runners from 40.
For the last two runnings of the race Elliott and his fellow trainer Willie Mullins have provided a quarter of the field between them. Were the BHA to take its proposals further, then it would have to act quickly in order for them to come into force in time for this season’s Grand National as entries for the 2024 running of the National, which will take place at Aintree April 13, close Feb. 6.
If a rule limiting a trainer to four runners in top handicaps had been in place in the last two years, it would have affected Elliott at the last two Cheltenham Festivals. At this year’s meeting, the trainer had five runners in the Coral Cup and six representatives in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
On the Flat, trainer David O’Meara would have been caught by a limit of four runners in a number of top handicaps. He had five runners in the 2022 Coral Golden Mile at Goodwood, including the winner Orbaan, and six representatives in this year’s running. O’Meara also had five runners in the 2022 Balmoral Handicap at Ascot, including the winner Shelir, and five runners in the Howden Challenge Cup at the same course in October.
