Next year’s fixture list in England will look very similar to this year’s after a program of 1,478 meetings for 2023 was announced on 24 August.
That number is down just four from the total when this year’s list was released, at a time when there were many calls for a reduction in racing to tackle the problem of smallholder farming.
However, the BHA, the Racecourses Association and the Thoroughbred Corporation hinted at changes in the coming years by revealing that the main focus of their recently announced industry strategy concerns how Future schedule listings may develop the appeal of racing for customers.
And the publication of this list coincides with the announcement of a minimum race value increase to increase the international competitiveness of top races in an effort to prevent higher ranked horses from leaving the country. England and enhance the value of races at lower levels.
The minimum value on flats will increase across the board, ranging from £250,000 (up from £200,000) for group 1 plus 3-year-olds to £5,000 (from £4,300) for group races. 6th grade exam.
Similarly, for jumps, increments range from £50,000 for open group 1 races to £700 for grade 6 competitions.
There will be 587 jump meetings in 2023, 890 flat cards (329 in all weather) and a combined show on Swinton Hurdle day at Haydock. This list has 1,060 meetings in the afternoon and 418 in the evening.
Notable changes include the St Leger festival in Doncaster becoming a Thursday-Sunday meeting and the Christmas break being reduced to two days for the first time since 2017, with four fixtures being announced. held on Sunday, December 23.
Racing in Doncaster
There are up to five fixtures on any given Saturday afternoon and there are four ‘code breaks’ — each flat jump and jump over — to allow participants a potential break.
BHA CEO Richard Wayman said: “While the 2023 fixture list includes a number of initiatives, it is still similar in size and shape to previous years. attractiveness of the race for our customers, both existing and new.
“At a time when the sport is facing a number of challenges, it is especially important to reach an agreement within the industry to increase the minimum prize value. With the number of horses ranked Higher is sold abroad and, beyond the jump, more and more of the best horses are located elsewhere.
“Bonus totals will hit record levels this year but, as we enter the highly anticipated sales season, as more owners are planning for next year, it is important that we announce the next step in the guise of a minimum increase in value for 2023.”
‘Really positive progress’
The pre-appearance program is currently on hold, with the minimum prize pool for previously supported races to be increased to £700 and money always paid out for at least fifth place.
Welcoming the overall package, Racehorse Owners Association CEO Charlie Liverton said: “I believe this is really positive progress for the industry as a whole.
“UK bonuses have been a major concern for many owners for a number of years and I am delighted we were able to find a way to increase the minimum bonus and provide a simplified model. on both codes I appreciate there are no radical changes to the fixed list and this will continue to be looked at with discussions starting shortly about industry-wide strategy.
“Obviously, the focus needs to be on the size and shape of the fixture list and prize money. As a sport, it’s important for us to deliver demonstrable progress and a program. racing meets the needs of the equine population while delivering model economics to enhance and protect the future of British motorsport.”
David Armstrong, chief executive officer of the Racecourses Association, added: “I would like to thank the BHA and industry sponsors and sponsoring groups for their remarkable efforts over the past seven months. Several key initiatives were agreed during that time, including a significant increase in minimum values for many races in all classes, a reduction in fixed congestion on Saturday afternoons, and replace the pre-appearance program with targeted direct funding.
“Multiple race categories will have their minimum value significantly increased by 2023 across the entire scope of the program, with the average increase in the categories affected being close to 25%. In this context, they are. I look forward to the upcoming industry strategy discussions starting in September, which aim to accelerate the growth of the sport.”
The two fixed breaks in the program are March 19-24 and November 26-December 26. 4, while the remaining periods for jumps are May 2–5 ( evening pursuit of Cheltenham hunters) and 7–18 August.
In an effort to maximize betting opportunities, there will be two illuminated fixtures on each day of Cheltenham Festival and the afternoon all-weather meetings during the Christmas period will also turn into morning cards. dark under the lights.
The published list is also subject to a slight increase as it does not include fixtures for the Sunday Series or Racing League, which will be added if and when they are confirmed.
