In response to the news that the Welsh government intends to ban racing at its sole greyhound racing track, the Valley Stadium in Ystrad Mynach, a spokesperson for the British Horseracing Authority today said:

“We have closely monitored developments around greyhound racing in Wales since the publication of “The Final Bend?” report by the Petitions Committee in December 2022.

“That report contained a recommendation that when considering a ban on greyhound racing, the Welsh Government should also look at other sports where animals compete. The Welsh Government formally rejected that recommendation within their official response to the report in 2023, and horseracing has not been considered as part of the subsequent process.

“At a Senedd debate on this topic in March 2023, former Welsh Government Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths MS remarked that horseracing is “amongst the world’s best regulated animal activities”. We’re not complacent however and we continue to update the Welsh Government on our work to further raise equine welfare standards.

“We are proud of our record on horse welfare and the improvements the sport has made to the safety of our horses, with more than £56 million invested by the industry into veterinary research and education in the past 20 years. The BHA firmly believes that when animal sport is well regulated it brings unrivalled quality of life and high standards of care for the animals involved.

“The BHA co-ordinates an active Cross Party Group for Horseracing in the Senedd and will continue to use the group’s expertise as we work to ensure that horseracing retains its high level of political support in Wales.

“Our industry is a sporting, cultural and economic asset to the Welsh nation and we believe the Welsh Government recognises that contribution.”