Cross Party Group Details

Cross Party Group Title:

Horseracing

Group membership and office holders

Name of Group Chair:

Llyr Gruffydd MS (Plaid Cymru)

Names of other Members of the Senedd:

Alun Davies MS (Labour), James Evans MS (Conservative), Samuel Kurtz MS (Conservative), Sam Rowlands MS (Conservative), Peter Fox MS (Conservative), Joel James MS (Conservative), Mark Isherwood MS (Conservative), Russell George MS (Independent)

Name of Secretary and Organisation:

Henry Dixon-Clegg, British Horseracing Authority

Names of other external members and organisations represented:

Jack Barton (British Horseracing Authority); Louise Stewart, Paddy Chesters (Bangor on Dee racecourse); Kevin Hire (Ffos Las racecourse); Phil Bell (Chepstow racecourse); Dave Futter (Yorton Stud); Alison Thorpe (racehorse trainer); Kelly Thomas (Maywood Stud)

 

 

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Other meetings of the Group since the last AGM

Date of Meeting:

25^th March 2025

Attendees:

Senedd members: Llyr Gruffydd, James Evans, Alun Davies, Sam Rowlands, Gareth Davies, Sam Kurtz, Mark Isherwood

External: Henry Dixon-Clegg, Jack Barton, Dave Futter, Louise Stewart, Paddy Chesters, Kevin Hire, Phil Bell

Summary of the issues discussed:

·         Presentation of Yorton Stud and the wider Welsh Thoroughbred breeding industry

·         Greyhound racing ban

·         Updates from Bangor on Dee, Chepstow and Ffos Las racecourses

·         Horserace Betting Levy negotiations

·         Impact of changes to Agricultural Property Relief on racing

·         CPG visit to Maywood Stud

Date of Meeting:

23^rd June 2025

Attendees:

Senedd members: Llyr Gruffydd, James Evans, Sam Rowlands, Joel James

External: Jack Barton, Alison Thorpe, Kelly Thomas

Summary of the issues discussed:

This was an off-site visit at Maywood Stud in Pencader and Alison Thorpe Racing near Carmarthen.

Issues discussed included:

The process of raising and preparing young thoroughbred horses for the sales.

Current market conditions in the breeding industry and the importance of a healthy market.

Racehorse Training and the plans for Alison’s yard.

Stable staff training and availability

 

Date of Meeting:

18^th November 2025 (AGM)

Attendees:

Senedd Members: Llyr Gruffydd, James Evans, Joel James, Peter Fox, Russell George

External: Henry Dixon-Clegg, Jack Barton, Paddy Chesters

Summary of the issues discussed:

·         Election of Chair and Secretariat

·         2026 election manifestos and planning

·         Greyhound racing ban

·         ‘Axe The Racing Tax’ campaign

·         Bangor on Dee racecourse update

Professional lobbyists, voluntary organisations and charities the Group have met during the previous year.

[names of lobbyists/organisations/charities should be included as follows, e.g.]

Henry Dixon-Clegg

Jack Barton

Name of Organisation:

British Horseracing Authority

Name of Group:

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Name of Organisation:

Click or tap here to enter text.

Name of Group:

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Annual Financial Statement

Cross Party Group Title:

Horseracing

Date:

01/11/25

Name of Chair:

Llyr Gruffydd MS (Plaid Cymru)

Name of Secretary and Organisation:

Henry Dixon-Clegg (British Horseracing Authority

Title	Description	Amount
Group’s Expenses	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap here to enter text.
Costs of all goods	Catering provided for two in person meetings in the Senedd (listed above)	£276.60
Benefits received by the group or individuals members from external bodies	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap here to enter text.
Any financial support or other support.	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap here to enter text.
Total		£276.60

Services provided to the Group, such as hospitality.

All hospitality paid for [include the name of the group/organisation].

Date	Name and description of provider	Costs
Click or tap here to enter text.	Chepstow racecourse	£99
Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap here to enter text.
Total		£99