Phelps’ resignation comes amid a significant review of the BHA to ensure it is sufficiently resourced, efficient and ultimately future-proofed.
Furthermore, her announcement comes before an imminent publication from the Gambling Act Review White Paper, something Phelps admits constitutes “a very important time for racing.”
The soon-to-be ex-BHA Chair will leave her post having developed a doctrine of core principles with BHA shareholders.
Phelps outlines these principles, claiming: "The BHA Board will maintain responsibility for both regulation and governance matters, with additional responsibility for leading the strategy for industry growth on behalf of our shareholders. [The BHA] will retain the same level of independent representation as at present, in line with governance best practice.
Phelps continues: “Alongside this, we have agreed that the tripartite decision-making structure will be reviewed. There is much to do over the next three months to ensure these measures are fully and firmly in place for my successor before I step down, which I hope will provide a more appropriate, democratic and effective decision-making structure for the future.”
The BHA Chair has also commented on several ethical and integrity matters that have plagued horseracing and the sporting world as a whole.
She claims the BHA has “dealt successfully with some serious and complicated ethical and integrity matters that have set important precedents for the future, laid the foundations for greater diversity and inclusion across the sport, enhanced the industry’s educational resources and safeguarding provisions and further increased our focus on the welfare of our horses and our people.”
And Joe Saumarez Smith, who will be succeeding her on an interim basis, had high praise for Phelps, claiming her work "on core governance principles is potentially a defining moment for the industry.”
