CHRISTMAS stories of shining stars will have been told the world over in recent days and racegoers at Kempton Park were treated to a sight of the real thing as Kauto Star lived up to his billing in the Stan James King George VI Chase yesterday.

Racing in the UK will continue to be funded by the Levy Board, the British government has announced.

Horses possessing an official BHB rating of less than 130 will no longer be allowed to take part in any of the four non-novice championship events at the Cheltenham Festival.

OWNER David Johnson could not hide his frustration as Contraband produced a lacklustre performance on his return from injury at Kempton to leave his Paddy Power Gold Cup hopes in tatters.

Owner David Johnson could not hide his frustration as Contraband produced a lacklustre performance on his return from injury at Kempton to leave his Paddy Power Gold Cup hopes in tatters.

KIEREN FALLON has lodged an appeal against his suspension from riding in Britain.

Kieren Fallon has lodged an appeal against his suspension from riding in Britain.

Kieren Fallon believes his “career is in ruins” following the decision of special panel of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority to ban him from riding in Britain after he was charged as part of a police investigation into alleged race-fixing.

SMURFIT Kappa Champion Hurdle winner Brave Inca was named Horse of the Year at a glittering ceremony for the first Anglo-Irish Jump Racing Awards.

BRITISH Horseracing Board handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill believes George Washington can improve again after his impressive success in the Stan James 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

CONNECTIONS of Royal Shakespeare and Monkerhostin will share the £200,000 top prize for the British Horseracing Board Order Of Merit after deciding against a Saturday showdown.

Frankie Dettori has threatened to quit the Jockeys’ Association over the minimum riding weight, which he claims is having a detrimental effect on the health of riders in Britain.

British Horseracing Board members have agreed in principle to introduce 48-hour declarations for all races on the Flat later this year.

Monday’s meeting at Southwell will now be run solely on the all-weather after the five scheduled races on the turf were abandoned due to the prospect of heavy ground.

Racing’s future funding and structure were the subject of an “extremely constructive meeting” between the Minister for Sport Richard Caborn MP and representatives from all aspects of the industry.

Tom Malone, conditional jockey for champion trainer Martin Pipe, received a seven-day suspension when found in breach of the running and riding rules at Exeter.

At The Races are hoping the British Horseracing Board give the go-ahead to universal 48-hour final declarations on the Flat next Monday to help continue the racing channel’s progress.

British Horseracing Board chairman Martin Broughton today gave his personal support to the proposed switch to a 48-hour deadline for final declarations in British Flat races.

Greg Nichols has spoken of the reasons behind his decision to leave the post of chief executive at the British Horseracing Board later this year.

EUROPE'S handicappers are dreaming of a mouth-watering clash between Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Hurricane Run and Japanese Triple Crown winner Deep Impact in the Longchamp showpiece in October.

Racing remains in “robust health” according to the British Horseracing Board’s annual report, despite a series of legal setbacks last year.

Jockeys in the UK are set to have more scope for sponsorship with the removal of the owners’ veto in the near future.

Trainer Charlie Mann lost his appeal against the Newbury stewards’ decision to fine him for not running Hoh Viss at his preferred meeting.

Horse racing information service At The Races today claimed a landmark victory in its battle with the British Horse Racing Board.

Inglis Drever will bid to maintain his status as champion stayer after being confirmed a definite runner in the rescheduled totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27.

INGLIS DREVER will bid to maintain his status as champion stayer after being confirmed a definite runner in the rescheduled totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27.

Inglis Drever will bid to maintain his status as champion stayer after being confirmed a definite runner in the rescheduled totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27.

LEADING bookie Ivan Yates has said punters can expect lower betting costs “in due course” following the “fair and amicable” settlement of a multi-million euro dispute between 59 Irish bookmakers and the British Horseracing Board (BHB).

A settlement has been reached in the challenge by a consortium of Irish bookmakers to the British Horseracing Board’s right to make charges for pre-race data.

Steve Gollings hopes for drying conditions at Cheltenham so Royal Shakespeare can take part in Sunday’s Greatwood Hurdle.

Bet365 will continue to support the Charlie Hall Chase for a further three years, up to and including the 2008 renewal.

Best Mate’s connections received a timely boost before his imminent reappearance as stablemate Impek gained a deserved success in the Bonusprint.com Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

BRIAN KAVANAGH, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, has been confirmed as the new Chairman of the European Pattern Committee (EPC), succeeding Tristram Ricketts, who is leaving his position as British Horseracing Board Secretary General to return to the Horserace Betting Levy Board as Chief Executive.

Paul Blockley is hoping Come Out Fighting can go on to better things after opening his account in pleasing fashion at Hamilton today.

David Barron has Undeterred in good heart and the nine-year-old, running in the colours of former BHB chairman Peter Savill, gained a comfortable success under Neil Callan in the Field And Lawn Marquees Handicap.

Irish bookmakers who are taking action against the British Horseracing Board suffered their second reversal in Dublin’s Commercial Court in the last seven days.

Irish bookmakers, who are taking action against the British Horseracing Board, today suffered their second reversal in Dublin’s Commercial Court in the last seven days.

A group of Irish bookmakers will have their case against the British Horseracing Board heard on November 8.

Epsom called off its evening meeting today as the racing industry felt the shockwaves of terrorist attacks in central London.

IRISH bookmakers being charged €20 million a year for lists of runners and riders in British horse races are suing the body providing the data in a bid to recover their money.

Scottish racing is to be the subject of a wide-ranging review following a meeting at Perth racecourse today.

Kempton officials were beaten by the thermometer as the second day of the Stan James Christmas Festival fell by the wayside today.

Azertyuiop galloped to the top of the BHB’s Order Of Merit leaderboard this afternoon despite coming off second best to Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown Park.