• New podcast will provide in-depth discussions around the key issues facing racing
• The podcast will be hosted by broadcaster Nick Lightfoot. To ensure editorial integrity and credibility, questions will never be shared with anybody at the BHA prior to interviews
• Listeners encouraged to submit questions to be put directly to relevant BHA figures in future episodes
• Available to subscribe on all major platforms including Spotify now, first episode published in full on Thursday 5 March

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is tomorrow launching a brand new podcast, featuring interviews with senior leaders within the organisation, as well as stories of the work of those who make racing happen every day.

Hosted by respected broadcaster Nick Lightfoot, The BHA Podcast is available to subscribe to now on Spotify, as well as Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Audible and Acast.

Each episode will take listeners inside the organisation, providing in-depth discussion around the key issues facing the sport and leaving listeners better informed about not only the BHA’s work in a number of vital areas but also the people behind it.

In his role as host, Nick Lightfoot has total editorial independence. Having agreed on interviewees for each episode with the BHA’s Communications team, Nick will independently prepare questions and will not share these in advance with anybody within the BHA. He also has final sign off of his interviews following the editing process.

Listeners will also be encouraged to share their own questions, which in future episodes will be put directly to the relevant BHA figure to provide answers as often as is practicably possible.

The first episode of the podcast, which will be published on Thursday 6 March, features interviews with Greg Swift and Victoria Morgan, the BHA’s Director of Communications & Public Affairs and Head of Policy & Advocacy respectively, as well as Acting CEO Brant Dunshea. Topics covered include the sport’s political engagement work, preservation of the social licence and reflections on the first year of Premier Racing.

In the podcast the BHA faces questions on a range of issues including the effectiveness of its political engagement in recent years, and whether the Premier Racing project has a future.

New episodes will follow at roughly six to eight week intervals, although some may be more frequent depending on the racing calendar and events.

Robin Mounsey, BHA Head of Communications, said: “We’re introducing The BHA Podcast at a time when there are many issues affecting the sport that people want to hear the BHA’s views on.

“Racing has a large and highly-engaged fan base who rightly want to understand the work of the BHA. Our goal in starting this podcast is to increase the visibility and accountability of the BHA’s leadership. This podcast just one step in doing this.

“The editorial integrity and credibility of this project is crucial for us. We want this to be something that is genuinely informative and enlightening for the listener, and to ensure that the interviews they hear are real and challenging. That is why we are so pleased to have teamed up with Nick Lightfoot, who has been given free rein to take the interviews anywhere he wants and ask any question he sees fit.”

Nick Lightfoot, Host of The BHA Podcast, said: “This is an exciting project and one I’m very pleased to have been asked to be part of. It is a bold step from the BHA to put themselves out there in this fashion and something for which they ought to be commended.

“I would not have taken on this position had I been left with any misgivings about the editorial integrity of the process and having worked with the BHA team for a few months to get to this position, I am completely satisfied that I will be able to genuinely challenge my interviewees and that this will be an engaging and informative listen for all who give it a chance.”

Notes to editors:

1. The BHA Podcast is available to subscribe to now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Audible and Acast.

2. Listeners can submit questions for future episodes by emailing [email protected].