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The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed that Lord Allen has stepped down as the governing body's chair, after just six months in the role.

Lord Charles Allen appointed was late in 2024 following an exhaustive search, and officially assumed the position last September. The news broke just seven days before the start of the Cheltenham Festival.

In a statement acknowledging his resignation, Lord Allen said: "Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport and who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed.

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"I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future."

Lord Allen accepted the role after the member organisations of the BHA (Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and licensed personnel) unanimously agreed on the need for a fully independent board which would give the BHA a commercial remit.

The members, who currently nominate representatives to the board, have failed to reach a consensus among themselves on amending the BHA's rules to facilitate the achievement of those two objectives, as such a change requires unanimous support. Consequently, Lord Allen has resigned.

David Jones, the senior independent director of the BHA, expressed: "The board would like to thank Charles for the time and effort that he has put into the role helping us to develop a vision that is aspirational and achievable, and we regret that we were unable to put in place at this time the governance changes that would have enabled us to progress this. I have enjoyed working with him and wish him continued success."

The BHA board will now deliberate and decide on the interim arrangements to be implemented.