BHA INSTRUCTIONS RELEVANT TO MEDIA
1. The attention of all Members of the Media is drawn to the BHA Instruction No. 5.2(2), namely:
1.1 Photographers may not position themselves on the racing surface or on or above the take-off or landing side of a fence or hurdle and are to remain on the outside of any running rail
Note: For Jump Racing the surface is deemed as the course in use for the particular race (for example, the hurdles or chase course). This also includes any bypass of a hurdle or fence, whether it is in use or not. For Flat racing, all photographers must be behind a running rail.
1.2 Photographers must not stand behind any wing of a fence or hurdle or protrude a camera through any part of a wing or stand between a double rail.
1.3 No remote cameras are to be attached to any wing or a fence or hurdle
1.4 The positioning of any remote cameras immediately adjacent to the take-off or landing side of a fence or hurdle is only permissible on the outside wing and where there is sufficient angle on the wing so that as runners approach the obstacle the position of remote cameras is completely obscured. Furthermore:
i) Remote cameras may be positioned on the take-off side of a fence on the outside of the wing adjacent to the take-off board providing the camera lens does not protrude through any part of the wing and must be secured by means of a sub-surface ground spike or a flexible ground support which must not exceed a height of 24 inches.
ii) Remote cameras may be positioned on the landing side of a fence (not hurdle) within and no further than six inches from the base of the fence frame. Where advertising hoardings are in situ permission must be obtained from the racecourse as to remote camera positions.
iii) No rigid camera supports in excess of seven inches above ground level are permitted.
1.5 Tripods and ladders must not be used before or for 30 yards after a fence or hurdle on the side of the rail marking the layby of that fence or hurdle. The tope step/platform of the ladder must not be higher than the running rail;
1.6 For Flat racing, ladders can only be used after the winning post (except in areas open to the public) and behind a double running rail or five yards back from a single running rail;
1.7 Photographers using a ladder must remain static on the ladder until all runners have gone past the site of the ladder;
1.8 Camera support spikes and mini-tripods may be used but must be behind the line of the running rail upright.
1.9 Photography inside the winners’ enclosure is to be restricted to those who are authorised by the Racecourse Association or Managing Executive (unless other accreditation arrangements are in place);
1.10 Photography is not to take place in the saddling boxes or the parade ring except with permission from the Managing Executive.
1.11 Photography is not to take place in the Weighing Room, except with permission from the BHA. Photography is not to take place in the Official Racecourse Stables, except with prior permission from the BHA. Such permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Permission will not be granted for requests made on the day of racing;
1.12 Flash photography of horses is not permitted. Flash photography may be allowed in specific areas or in adverse light conditions, with permission of the Racecourse Executive;
1.6 Photography of on-going medical or veterinary treatment is not permitted. Specific examples where photography is not considered acceptable, although the list is not exhaustive, include horses or riders undergoing treatment when screens have been erected, the interior of an ambulance when a patient is on board and inside designated treatment areas for both humans and equines.
2. The above instructions may be supplemented at individual racecourses by any special additional instructions as considered necessary to safeguard riders and horses before, during and after races, and particularly before and after fences and hurdles.
Any dispensations to these rules require written permission from the Racecourse Executive and Inspector of Courses (if available) in advance.
3. The attention of all television and radio broadcasters is drawn to the BHA Instruction No. 5.1, namely:
3.1 Filming or radio interviews are not to take place on racedays in the following designated integrity areas without the prior permission of The BHA:
Weighing Room complex (to include Weighing Room, Stewards’ Room and Jockeys’ Changing Rooms) However, if the Managing Executive agrees, a mini-camera with an effects microphone may be installed in the Weighing Room itself without permission of the BHA, providing that the Stipendiary Steward and the Clerk of the Scales are informed beforehand:
Sampling Unit
Racecourse Stables (once BHA’s security provision is in force)
Judges’ Box,
Stewards’ Viewing Boxes
The Start.
3.2 If broadcasters wish to use any of these areas for filming etc., racecourses should refer broadcasters to the Communications and Promotions Department at BHA’s Head Office (telephone no: 020 7152 0162), who will inform both the racecourse and the appropriate BHA Officials of the decision. Officials will not allow filming to take place in designated integrity areas unless authorised beforehand by the PR Department. If an urgent situation requires it, this authority may be obtained on the day by telephone;
3.3 The sitting of television cameras and the activities of broadcasters in all other areas of the Racecourse are matters to be decided by the managing executive, who must always take
into account safety, the smooth running of the meeting and ensure compliance with the requirements of paragraphs 3.5 - 3.12 (shown below).
3.4 If BHA Officials consider that the activities of television crews in these areas are a threat to safety, the smooth running of the meeting or contravene paragraphs 3.5-3.12 below they will immediately inform the managing executive who will deal with the situation without delay in line with the requirements in paragraph
Such activities would include:
Distracting horses or riders whilst racing or on the way to the start
Prejudicing safety in the Parade Ring, Winners Enclosure or between these areas and the racecourse
Holding up jockeys before the start of a race, or delaying them unduly from returning to weigh in
Note: These examples are not exhaustive, and other circumstance may pose a threat to safety or the smooth running of the meeting.
3.5 The proposal to introduce any new type of tracking camera must first be cleared for safety by television companies with the BHA Racing Department.
3.6 Also in the interests of safety, tracking cameras must travel no less than ten yards from the side of the course or, if this is impossible no less than 50 yards in front of the leading horse. Vehicles carrying these cameras must be careful to avoid rapid acceleration or deceleration.
3.7 Any mobile camera designed to be carried by horse or rider must be authorised by the BHA. A protocol for its use will then be developed by the BHA with racing’s associations and the television companies.
3.8 Cameras at the start are not to be placed in such position that they will upset the horses or impede the starting procedures.
3.9 If cameras are positioned at the winning line, they must be sited so as not to interfere in any way with the photofinish mirror or the integrity cameras. They must also not be attached to either the winning post or any marker post. Where facilities for cameras are limited, the integrity cameras must be given priority.
3.10 Broadcast cameras must not restrict the view of the Racecourse Stewards, BHA Officials or integrity cameras.
3.11 The sitting of any cameras which encroach onto the track (for example overhead or in a fence etc) is to be agreed beforehand with the Inspector of Courses and the Racecourse Department.
3.12 Filming of ongoing medical or veterinary treatment is not permitted. Specific examples where filming is not considered acceptable, although the list in not exhaustive, include horses or riders undergoing treatment when screens have been erected, the interior of an ambulance when a patient is on board, and inside designated treatment areas for both humans and equines without prior permission from the Communications Department.
Published by Ascot Racecourse Ltd, May 2023
