The Jockey Club looks set to lose its role as the policeman of horse racing after a meeting between officials from the club and sports minister Richard Caborn.

The talks - just two weeks after Panorama's Corruption of Racing programme - pave the way for wholesale changes in the way the �5bn a year sport is governed.

The Jockey Club, which has been in sole charge of enforcing the rules of racing for 250 years, has agreed to come up with recommendations on how the industry could be better vetted.

The most likely proposal will be a brand new body with wide ranging powers to enforce the Rules of Racing.

Independent

We need an independent regulator - Richard Caborn

However, it will probably not signal the end of the Jockey Club altogether, as the new organisation will continue to use the club's staff and experience.

The Club's PR director John Maxse said the organisation would be happy to work with Mr Caborn to develop proposals to "increase independence."

Although whether the Minister for Sport will be happy to have the Jockey Club retained in some capacity is another matter.

Mr Caborn said the new policeman for the sport would have to be free of bodies like the Jockey Club.

Constructive

He had made it clear that something had to be done, saying: "There is a consensus emerging that something had to happen and there needs to be independence and transparency in the regulation and dispensing of discipline."

Mr Caborn also praised the Jockey Club in a statement, for their professionalism of the work it had undertaken in the past and for recognising that chance was needed.

Christopher Spence, chief executive of the Jockey Club described the meeting as "very constructive".

Mr Maxse, added: "We have been given the task of coming up with proposals and if we don't go far enough, I am sure they will tell us."