The British Horseracing Authority hopes to have a new screening process for horse owners in place by the middle of 2010. The BHA has stated that the model could serve as a framework for other associations to follow in attempt to have horse owners regulated

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As reported by guardian.co.uk, similar processes will be applied to horsepeople. The article states that the BHA is looking to discuss the process with the Racehorse Owners Association and that if the process is failed by owners, said owners could be investigated and ultimately banned.

"It's all about suitablity and 'fit and proper' is part of that. In order to be suitable, you need to be competent but you also need a certain standing of honesty, integrity and financial soundness," Oliver Codrington, head of compliance and licensing at the BHA, was quoted as saying in the guardian.co.uk article.

"The vast majority of owners want to know what there is to stop undesirables registering as owners. And trainers want to know what we're doing to protect them from owners who may not pay their bills. That is something that needs to be looked at."

Click here to the read the guardian.co.uk article in its entirety.

(With files from guardian.co.uk)