BHA revamps RaceWISE
- Integrity concerns can now be reported via WhatsApp and text message
- Secure two-way chat improves sharing of information and intelligence
- Partnership with RealResponse aims to reduce barriers to reporting
- New posters and advertising material to promote the updated service
British horseracing’s anonymous reporting service has been bolstered today with the addition of WhatsApp and text messaging – making it even easier to speak up for the sport you love.
RaceWISE is a secure way for anyone with concerns about potential wrongdoing in the sport to report these directly to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
This may include possible integrity threats, the treatment and welfare of horses and humans, safeguarding and equality concerns, or anything else on or off the racecourse that could damage British racing’s reputation.
The expansion of RaceWISE to include the WhatsApp and text service will allow anyone coming forward with information to message the BHA directly, without revealing their identity or phone number.
The two-way messaging can help improve the reporting process by enabling the BHA to ask and answer questions and request additional evidence to be used as part of any investigative process. This can include photographs, video footage and audio recordings.
Delivered in partnership with Real Response, the real-time messaging service is managed through a fully encrypted system, giving anyone contacting RaceWISE the added confidence that they are doing so safely and with anonymity.
To report concerns about British racing using WhatsApp or text message, simply visit: www.britishhorseracing.com/RaceWise.
Alongside the messaging option, people will also be able to contact RaceWISE via email or by calling for free on 08000 24 24 50.
The phone line and email inbox will be actively monitored by the BHA’s integrity team, who will review and evaluate the information provided. Where appropriate, the reports will be investigated in more detail or linked to other intelligence to build a bigger picture of a potential issue.
To support the extension of the existing service, the BHA will be sending updated posters to racecourses for display in both public and restricted areas, alongside racecard advertisements and racecourse TV graphics.
The BHA will also make available a full suite of updated digital assets, which can be downloaded from the RaceWISE webpage for use across the industry.
The RaceWISE service will continue to be advertised extensively across the industry to ensure that everyone involved in British racing and breeding understands how they can report potential integrity issues or breaches of the Rules of Racing.
John Burgess, Director of Integrity at the BHA, said:
“Honesty, integrity and the highest standards of horse and human welfare are fundamental to ensuring trust and confidence in British racing and breeding.
“RaceWISE is already a highly effective system for raising integrity concerns, and has played a crucial part in gathering vital intelligence that has helped keep our sport safe, fair and clean.
“The expansion of the service to include text messaging has the potential to be a real game-changer: strengthening British racing’s anonymous reporting mechanisms and giving people added confidence to speak up for the sport they love.
“Not only does the WhatsApp and text service remove some of the barriers to reporting, it allows the BHA to exchange messages in real-time with the person raising the issue and secure vital supporting information, which it has not always been possible to do until now.
“Through our new partnership with RealResponse, the BHA will be able to respond, ask questions and request additional information – and all without knowing the identity or phone number of the person reporting their suspicions or concerns.
“This has huge potential for encouraging more people to come forward, improving the quality of the intelligence we receive and enhancing participant and public trust in the anonymous reporting process itself.”
David Chadwick, founder and CEO of RealResponse, said:
“Protecting the integrity of sport depends on creating safe, trusted ways for people to speak up. We’re proud to partner with the British Horseracing Authority to strengthen RaceWISE through secure, two-way messaging that removes barriers to reporting while preserving complete anonymity.
“When individuals know they can share concerns safely – and have a real conversation without revealing their identity – the quality of information improves, trust grows, and the entire sport becomes stronger.”
About RaceWISE
RaceWISE is a secure way for anyone with concerns about potential wrongdoing in the sport to report these to the BHA, without having to reveal their identity. The anonymous reporting service is there to assist with concerns about anything that may be damaging to the sport, its people or horses. This may include:
- the Welfare of racehorses
- protecting the Integrity of the sport
- addressing Safeguarding and welfare concerns
- maintaining Equality for everyone
For full details about the RaceWISE service and how to contact the BHA anonymously, please visit: www.britishhorseracing.com/RaceWise
