Trainer Johnny Farrelly permanently excluded from British racing by BHA

Johnny Farrelly, who has trained from a stable in Somerset since 2013, has been permanently excluded from racing with the right to a review after seven years for serious breaches of the sport’s safeguarding regulations, the British Horseracing Authority said on Tuesday in a statement.

Farrelly was found to have committed six breaches of Section 4 in the BHA’s safeguarding measures, which came into force in January 2019, and one breach of a rule under Section 6. Section 4 covers prohibited conduct and the protection of young persons and adults at risk, while Section 6 covers cooperation with BHA investigators and the prevention of “detriment on the ground or belief that [a] Person or party has reported a safeguarding concern”.

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Farrelly was found in breach of the rules after a five-day hearing by racing’s independent National Safeguarding Panel.

“Everyone who works in British racing must be willing to call out and stand up to any behaviours which fall short of the values of openness, inclusivity and respect on which our sport is built,” Tim Naylor, the BHA’s director of integrity and regulation, said.

“We are extremely grateful to the people who came forward in this case to highlight the concerns which eventually led to today’s finding. It was as a result of the brave actions of these people, reporting concerns via the sport’s confidential RaceWISE reporting line, that we have been able to successfully bring this case to a conclusion.

“This was a lengthy and complex investigation which called deeply on the expertise of the sport’s dedicated safeguarding unit, who deserve great praise. It also utilised the independent expertise of the National Safeguarding Panel to ensure that any verdict was provided by a fully independent, specialised arbitration process.”

In a statement released through the National Trainers Federation, Farrelly said: “I intend to appeal against today’s findings and will therefore make no further comment about the hearing. I would also like it to be known that a police investigation concluded with no charges in relation to my conduct.”

Farrelly has trained 130 winners over jumps since taking out a trainer’s licence in the 2013-14 season, and a further 19 on the flat. The most significant winner of his career was Amore Alato in the Listed Future Stars Novice Chase at Sandown Park in November 2016. His most recent runner was Outlaw Jack, who was pulled up in a handicap chase at Plumpton on 19 September, while his last winner was Captain Ivan at Uttoxeter on 25 July.