Sir Philip Davies Joins The BHA Board As The RCA’s Interim Member Nominated Director
The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed that the Racecourse Association has appointed Sir Philip Davies to the BHA Board. Announced on 12 October 2026, the appointment sees him join as the RCA’s Member Nominated Director on an interim basis.
He replaces Wilf Walsh, who had held one of the association’s two seats on the Board since October 2021. The move places a figure with a direct parliamentary history on betting and racing into racecourse representation at the regulator.
Sir Philip Davies appointed to the BHA Board
Sir Philip joins as the RCA’s Member Nominated Director on an interim basis, taking over from Wilf Walsh.
As set out in the BHA Articles of Association, the Racecourse Member appoints two people with appropriate practical experience in the horseracing industry to serve as Member Nominated Directors. This appointment fills one of those two seats, placing a new voice for racecourses in the room where the sport’s governance is shaped.
The release is explicit that the role is interim, which confirms who holds the seat now and why, while leaving the longer-term position on the Board still to be settled.
Sir Philip Davies’s background in Parliament and racing
Sir Philip joined the RCA Board earlier this year, after serving as Member of Parliament for Shipley from 2005 to 2024.
During his time in Parliament he held several roles, including joint Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Betting and Gaming and Vice Chair of the APPG for Racing and Bloodstock.
He is currently chairman of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain and of the National Horseracing College in Doncaster, and is a former Board member of the Racehorse Owners Association.
What the appointment signals for racecourses
For racecourses, the signal is straightforward. The RCA has filled its interim seat with someone whose background sits squarely at the intersection of racing and betting policy.
Simon Cox, Chair of the BHA, said: “I am pleased to welcome Sir Philip to the BHA Board. Throughout his time in Parliament he was a strong advocate for racing and betting, helping to ensure the interests of our sport were understood by his fellow politicians, and I look forward to working with him.”
Sir Philip, for his part, said: “I am delighted to be joining the BHA Board to represent the interests of racecourses.”
The road ahead for Sir Philip Davies on the BHA Board
Simon Cox also paid tribute to the outgoing director, saying: “I would also like to thank Wilf Walsh for his significant contribution to the Board over the past five years.”
Sir Philip framed his own arrival around the work ahead, saying: “Racing is a sport and industry for which I have long held a strong interest and I look forward to working with Board members and stakeholders across the sport to support its long-term success.”
A familiar figure in racing and betting circles now represents racecourses on the Board, with his longer-term tenure still to be confirmed.
Source: British Horseracing Authority
