The British Horseracing Board has decided to introduce mandatory 48-hour declarations for all Group 1 races on the Flat from next year.
The move is designed to boost the promotion of major international races, especially overseas.
At its monthly meeting this week, the Board decided against introducing universal 48-hour declarations after a consultation exercise revealed little or no support for the move from racecourses, owners, trainers, the betting industry and the media.
The new system will be restricted to the Flat because, with the exception of the Martell Grand National, overseas interest in National Hunt races is currently limited. The Aintree showpiece already has 48-hour declarations.
Pattern race conditions for the whole of 1999 have already been published, so the new mandatory system for Group 1 races on the Flat will be delayed until the year 2000 to avoid confusion and the risk that horses, especially those from overseas, might inadvertently miss the earlier declaration time.
48-hour declarations on a voluntary basis are already available at the discretion of the BHB and will be used for the following Group 1 races in 1999: Sagitta 2000 Guineas; Sagitta 1000 Guineas; Vodafone Derby; and the King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.