The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) have announced that new mandatory requirements for weighing rooms have been introduced. The board has also introduced deadlines on the completion of necessary work, leaving 12 racecourses at risk of not being able to host meetings.

The BHA Board agreed that courses have until 31 December 2026 to meet the new requirements. If they fail to do so, sanctions will be put into place which will be determined 'on a case-by-case basis'.

Twelve racecourses must complete their redevelopment by December 31, 2027, though there is a preference for the work to be completed that summer. Stronger sanctions are in place for those who miss that deadline. The racecourses that are not able to finish upgrading their weighing room facilities by that time will not be able to stage a meeting until they do so.

In the short-term, the BHA Board have ruled that the courses that do not have a warm-up area for jockeys must provide enough space to prepare themselves for races by July 31 this year.

The BHA have encouraged venues to improve their facilities consistently over the past few years to ensure that jockeys are well-catered for, both in terms of equipment, space and food and drink.

Speaking about the announcement, the BHA's Acting Chief Executive Officer Brant Dunshea, said: "Our jockeys are elite athletes and the facilities they use should reflect this. We understand the disappointment that the work has taken longer than expected, especially as where racecourses have completed their upgrades, the new layout works well and the feedback is very positive.

"The firm deadlines we are announcing today are hopefully a significant step forward. They are underpinned by clear regulatory action and linked directly to a racecourse's licence to hold fixtures.

"We hope that this action provides reassurance to jockeys, valets, officials and everyone else operating in a weighing room on a raceday about our commitment to delivering the necessary improvements - and doing so as quickly as possible."

Fourteen racecourses are said to have already finalised plans to meet the new deadlines, and the remaining venues are now looking to follow that trend and avoid any potential sanctions. If they fail to, there will be consideration given to potential reasons which are out of the hands of those responsible for the changes, such as planning restrictions.