THE BHA (British Horseracing Authority) has been forced to apologise after a horse named ‘Jungle Bunny’ made its debut over the weekend.
All racehorse names are checked before they run for the first time, but the racially offensive term slipped through the net.
The David Evans-trained three-year-old made her debut on Saturday at Wolverhampton, finishing sixth.
But now connections of the horse have been forced to change the name of the filly to Jungle Bells.
And the Evans team have also apologised but have said it was an ‘innocent mistake.’
The filly was named by Evans’ assistant trainer Emma Folkes, who said: “I actually named the filly myself – I didn’t have a clue.
“It’s the first time Weatherbys (racing administrators) have rung us on a Sunday morning. Nobody in the yard had said anything and I can only apologise.
“I’ll take the blame. It was a totally innocent mistake.”
The name was first picked up on social media who called on the BHA to take immediate action.
The user posted: “Jungle Bunny is a deeply offensive racist insult.
“I’m gobsmacked to see a horse with this name entered to run tomorrow at Wolverhampton. You have to withdraw this horse ASAP to try to limit a PR disaster!”
The BHA responded by contacting the Evans stable and ensuring the name would be changed ASAP.
And they soon released a statement, which read: “We reiterate today the apology that was issued yesterday after the horse ran.
“Racist language is not tolerated in our sport, whether intentional or accidental.
“We are opposed to racism and prejudice in all its forms and are committed to making British racing an open, diverse and inclusive industry that is welcoming to all.
“We have taken steps today to ensure the horse was renamed immediately. It is now called Jungle Bells. This will be reflected in records of the race result and horse form.
“We are deeply concerned as to how this happened and are reviewing the processes for approving the names of racehorses.”
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