Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

New ''fit and proper'' requirements have been added to the British Horseracing Authority''s (BHA) licensing process, it has been confirmed.

All horse trainers will be required to meet the organisation''s criteria before they are approved to receive a license from it.

It is thought that such rules will be extended to apply to horse owners and jockeys in the near future.

The body''s head of compliance and licensing Oliver Codrington has highlighted the need for trainers to conform to the BHA''s requirements.

However, he went on to say: "We recognise that those who easily satisfy the criteria, year on year, should not be burdened with unnecessary bureaucracy."

Rachel Flynn, head of the horseracing and equine team at Taylor Vinters comments "I am pleased to see the BHA acknowledge that trainers - in the main small businesses - already shoulder a significant compliance burden and that there is no intention on the part of the BHA to add to the bureaucracy and red tape they face."

Meanwhile, the BHA has also recently revealed that the prize money on offer at next year''s Stud and Stable Staff Awards is to rise to a record £120,000.

Improvements are also said to have been made to the award scheme''s nomination process.

Rachel Flynn again comments "I am particularly pleased to see that these awards feature a new National Association of Stable Staff ('NASS') Special Merit Award recognising the personal achievements of an individual member of stable staff, who has recognised the importance to the industry of a strong and healthy workforce, represented by NASS.  Of course special thanks must go to Godolphin for its enormous generosity and continuing support of these awards."