The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed a number of changes to upcoming races and the race programme.
Industry parties continue to work together to agree proposals which will allow the Fixture List for September-December 2020 to be published, and expect to have further updates on this later this week.
Jump Field Sizes
With effect from the beginning of August, field sizes for Jump races can revert to the maximum limit imposed by the racecourse at which races are due to be held. This follows a review of field sizes, which had most recently been restricted to a maximum of 12 runners in Jump races. The Racecourse Association will continue to work with individual racecourses to establish the safety factors that can be managed effectively at each venue.
Chester fixture update
Following ongoing discussions with local government, please note the following update on Chester’s upcoming fixtures:
Sunday 9th August – This fixture will move to the evening of Monday 10th August. The Windsor fixture previously planned for Monday 10th will now be staged a day earlier on Sunday 9th. The race programme at both meetings will remain unchanged. This alteration is to minimize the risk of gatherings around the racecourse at Chester which may take place on weekends.
Friday 14th August – This fixture will go ahead as previously scheduled.
An update on the fixture currently scheduled to take place at Chester on Sunday 23rd August will be provided as soon as possible.
Salisbury, 9 August
An additional race has been programmed to enhance the race programme and provide an additional race for terrestrial TV broadcast. A Class 3 fillies’ handicap for three yrs old and upwards will be added to the fixture, with entries closing at noon, 3 August.
Redcar Two Year Old Trophy
The 2020 renewal of the Two Year Old Trophy has been confirmed.
- Original entries were postponed at the start of lockdown
- Entries will now close at noon, 28 July
- Revised Total Race Value of £100,000
The conditions of the 2020 Redcar Two Year Old Trophy have now been confirmed. Original entries were due to be taken in April, but were postponed owing to the uncertainty around the resumption of racing. However, the revised race conditions, agreed in consultation with horsemen, have now been confirmed.
Entries for the race will now close at noon on Tuesday, 28 July. The race has a revised Total Race Value of £100,000.
Update on Foreign Trained Runners
Under the current arrangements, foreign trained runners are only permitted in Class 1 races and Heritage Handicaps. This approach will be reviewed by the Industry’s Racing Group in early September and will therefore remain in place at least until then.
Notes to editors:
1. For further information please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or [email protected].
