The British newspaper Guardian reported, following controversies on pro-Moscow Chechen leader Kadirov, the British Horseracing Authority is bringing in new rules for next year that would ban Kadirov, and others of questionable character, from racing horses in Britain.

The British Horseracing Authority is aiming to introduce its new licensing regime, including a ‘fit and proper persons’ test for racehorse owners, by the middle of next year, in a move it has insisted will provide a model for other sports to follow.

Oliver Codrington, head of compliance and licensing at the BHA, said “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.”

Prospective owners will be asked a series of questions about their financial standing and asked to reveal any previous convictions, but will not be required to provide absolute proof of funds. Codrington said that, if it later came to light that they had lied to the licensing committee, it would be viewed dimly.

According to Guardian, Ramzan Kadirov, the pro-Moscow dictator in Chechnya and racing enthusiast, will provide an interesting test case. He has been repeatedly accused of responsibility for the murder of his political opponents and was described in 2006 as “a Stalin of our times” by the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was shot and killed shortly afterwards.

Kadirov has denied any responsibility for her death, or the recent slaying of Natalya Estemirova, a human rights activist in the Chechen capital, Grozny. He has also waved away allegations of torture and has the support of the Russian government.

Kadirov’s colours have been carried to victory in Britain by three different horses this year and one of them, Mourilyan, was also third in the Melbourne Cup, prompting one local politician to call for the Australian government to seize his prize money of $420,000 (£233,000).