HOW THE £40 MILLION DEAL BETWEEN BETFAIR AND BRITISH RACING IS A GOOD AGREEMENT

Last week Betfair, an online betting exchange, signed a deal with British horse racing organisers which will allow a minimum of £40 million worth of funding to be used over the next five years. 

I think that this deal has come at a good time: it will inject a secure and healthy sum of money to keep horse racing alive in this country. 

The sport still attracts a huge audience within the UK, but I feel that numbers may have slipped due to the bad press the Grand National had, both this year and in 2011. 

To me, the Grand National receives the most media attention in this country: it is arguably the only horse racing event that will attract an 'office sweepstake' and therefore appeal to a wider audience. 

Recent posts on my blog describe my thoughts towards the Aintree event and I am saddened by how many people I have come across still base their views of horse racing on the Grand National.

However, in return of this deal, the sport has pledged a minimum number of fixtures every year and offers to maximise betting opportunities. 

In my opinion, this move will give a boost for the horse racing industry as it will bring a large number of benefits to the sport: a guaranteed price will support it over the next few years as well as a certainty towards its future. 

The agreement will give 10.75 per cent of all revenues on horse racing taken from its UK customers and will come into effect from the 51st Levy Scheme. 

Paul Bittar, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said that the agreement "represents a landmark for both racing and betting industries". 

And you know what, I think he could be right on this one. 

BHA RELAXES WHIP RULES - AUTOMATIC SUSPENSIONS REPLACED

The new whip rules are to undergo fresh changes following a British Horseracing Authority meeting yesterday.


These changes will be made before the Cheltenham Festival so that the high-profile racing event does not become a public relations disaster as well as become overshadowed by whip bans.


From early next month, jockeys who exceed the allowed number of strikes (seven on Flat and eight over jumps) will only trigger the interest of the stewards and they will no longer be given automatic suspensions.


This means that stewards will be able to apply more common sense to the use of the whip in a race as well as more discretion in their policing work.


The penalty regime will also be eased and this will be put into practise on Thursday following the proposals put forward by the BHA's new Chief Executive, Paul Bittar, as they were given the backing from his directors on Tuesday.

PAUL BITTAR TO PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO WHIP RULES IN BHA MEETING ON TUESDAY

PAUL BITTAR is to propose new changes to the British Horseracing Authority's (BHA) controversial rules on the use of the whip.

Bittar is the new Chief Executive of the BHA and is to discuss fresh amendments to the rules in a meeting on Tuesday (tomorrow).

This meeting is an attempt to avoid damaging publicity over the controversial issue during next month's Cheltenham Festival.

Large events such as the Festival have already caused damage to the sport - last year's Grand National winner Jason Maguire re-sparked the debate over the rules and caused a media frenzy over the matter.

Bittar's suggestions are likely to aim on a reduction to the current unfair penalties for minor offences rather than any significant changes to the rules themselves.

However, there may also be scope for stewards to apply more judgement when deciding whether a jockey is in breach.

If agreed to, any changes to the rules will have little time to "bed in" before the Festival, but when set against the potential of high-profile whip bans at the Festival, Bittar has decided that this is a risk worth taking.

Finally, Paul Bittar has come to our rescue! It's about time that amendments should be made. Like I have said before, the new rules weren't at all fair for jockeys. They're ridiculous and giving horseracing a bad image. Bittar is right by suggesting to change the rules before the Festival, but is it a case of too little too late?
My answer, no. Since the rules were changed in October, Bittar has reacted well to the situation. He's realised just how harsh these rules are and how they're producing an unhealthy view into the sport.

PAUL BITTAR SAYS THAT WHIP PENALTIES MAY BE EASED

The BHA's new chief executive has announced that whip penalties could be relaxed.

Paul Bittar has claimed that the controversial penalty that jockeys receive as a result of breaking the new rules may be eased.

Bittar took up the post on Wednesday (January 18) but insisted that immediate changes were unlikely, yet he discussed how the new levels of punishment were inaccurate as they don't fit the crime.

Jockeys, trainers and even punters have reacted badly to the severe penalties that are given - the row started as a result of the 2011 Grand National where Jason Maguire was heavily criticised for excessive use of the whip on Ballabriggs.

The debate has recently been reignited as a result of Will Kennedy's suspension following his win in the Lanzarote Hurdle.

He received a seven-day ban and even had to forfeit his prize money.

During that weekend, over 100-day suspensions were handed out, resulting in negative reactions from the racing world.

Come on Paul, I know you can see the severity of the punishment. It's unfair on everyone: jockeys, trainers and owners. Listen to what the professionals want and change the rules to what they were previously. It needs to be done.

 NEW WHIP RULES

• Jockeys can use the whip seven times in Flat races and eight times in National Hunt
• Jockeys exceeding the limit by one strike will be suspended             
• Exceeding the limit by more than one strike will mean the jockey forfeits a share of prize money