The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed the addition of two Flat fixtures to address regional gaps in the race programme.

Newcastle will stage an afternoon All-Weather fixture on Monday 8 April, with Thirsk racing on the afternoon of Tuesday 9 April. Both fixtures will be programmed with seven races.

Tom Byrne, BHA Head of Racing and Betting, said: “Having completed race planning for Programme Book Two, it became clear that the fixture list in the early part of the Flat season presented a regional challenge in delivering a suitable programme for the North.

“The nature of fixture movement from year to year, particularly with the 2024 Lincoln meeting in its earliest possible slot, can deliver these sorts of challenges.

“This was therefore a period of possible concern and having now identified the specific gaps it has presented from a race planning perspective, we have decided to add these additional fixtures to support Northern participants.”

Notes to editors:

1. For further information please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via [email protected].