The British Horseracing Authority’s new policy will allow intra-day switching between flat turf and all-weather tracks, where the original track surface is deemed “un-runnable” and the competition schedule The match will need to be abandoned.
The policy will apply where surface changes are possible on match day due to deteriorating ground conditions, when horses, participants and paying customers have arrived or are traveling to the racecourse.
It will only be suitable for racecourses that have both flat and all-weather pitches — currently only Lingfield Park.
Surface switches can only be authorized by the BHA as part of an Outgoing/Ground Inquiry, with the manager making a determination as to whether the surface is initially “inaccessible”.
Once the surface switch has been approved, the trainer will have the opportunity to withdraw his horse without penalty. Any horses still in the race will run as advertised on the card, with race weights and conditions remaining as originally published.
All information and updates will be clearly communicated to participants, wider stakeholders and race participants.
The new policy only addresses daily surface switches that may be necessary in exceptional circumstances to allow equipment to continue operating. All other surface transfer requests prior to race day will continue to be dealt with by the BHA Racing Department in accordance with the existing Fixtures Policy.
Tom Byrne, Head of Racing and Betting at the BHA:
“Following the cancellation of the Lingfield fixture for 2022, concerns were raised as to whether a process could be put in place to allow affected races to simply switch to the All-Time track details for those still willing to race or not, especially for participants and racers already on the track.
“By introducing this new policy, we hope that if we encounter a similar situation again, changes to the track surface on race day will be permitted, allowing play to continue instead of abandoned.
“We expect that any such circumstances will be very rare, with same-day transfers only permitted in the most exceptional circumstances. However, if the need arises, then we will give ourselves the opportunity to try and organize races in a fair manner for the participants.” wants to run, as well as providing racing for customers both on and off the track.”
Surface transfer:
- The run command will remain the same. However, if daylight is an issue, some races may be canceled to allow fixtures to be installed before sunset. The gap between races may be reduced to help fit as many races as possible, but no race may take place earlier than the scheduled break time.
- Race distances can vary slightly between turf courses and in all weathers, so every race will always be routed to the nearest starting point.
- Race weights and conditions will remain as originally announced. If a match moves from turf to all-weather turf and a horse has a turf rating that is different from their weather mark, they will still not achieve their turf rating.
- For any race with a field size larger than the All-Weather Field Safety Limit, an exclusion sequence will apply.
All horses will run after turning surfaces, unless their trainer (or representative) uses an ‘opt out’ period, as follows:
- There will be a period of time during which the trainer can withdraw the horse due to the surface change.
- Any such withdrawal will be permitted without penalty.
- Entry fees will be refunded to owners of all entered horses except those running after a surface change.
- The withdrawal of any horse that has been declared out of running will be effective.
The full policy is available to view This.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
