BHA Releases 2021 Fixtures

The British Horseracing Authority has released its full fixture list for 2021, with 1,486 total fixtures-897 flat and 589 jumps– scheduled and with prizemoney minimums across all races set to return to pre-Covid levels with the Horserace Betting and Levy Board continuing its higher than usual contribution to prizemoney. There will be 1,079 afternoon fixtures and 407 evening fixtures. Jockeys will continue to be restricted to one meeting per day, with the situation to be reviewed when Covid protocols are no longer required. The BHA will reduce the number of flat races in July and August by about 70, with a potential reduction in the number of 2-year-olds in training in 2021 forecast and to keep fields large and competitive. The Easter fixture list has also been adjusted, when it has historically been planned to maximize spectators.

The Horserace Betty Levy Board will contribute £20.1-million to racing from May 1 to June 30. This comprises £16.4-million for prizemoney and £3.7-million in regulatory and fixture grants. The core day-to-day prizemoney contributions will total £14-million through the per-race rate card, an increase of 49% on the £9.4-million allocated to comparable prize money funds in a typical May and June. The HBLB will also make contributions to the Appearance Money Scheme (£1.3-million), Divided Races Fund (£0.15-million) and the Great British Bonus (£0.9-million).

Richard Wayman, chief operating officer for the BHA, said, “Publishing the full Fixture List now will provide greater certainty for the sport and its customers. This is particularly important for racecourses, who are being asked to make increased executive contributions as Levy Board funding begins to scale back. Of course, until spectators return and retail bookmakers re-open, racecourse revenues remain under considerable pressure. However, the publication of the Fixture List does, at least, reduce one area of uncertainty for racecourses and would allow for increased confidence in forecasting some of their future revenue streams.

“This is an essential step in providing greater clarity around prize money levels that will apply throughout the remainder of the year ahead. More specifically, this includes the return of minimum prize money values to pre Covid-19 levels for all Class 1 races which was considered to be an essential step to support Britain's Pattern programme and attempt to retain British racing's pre-eminent position on the global stage. The result is that, from May, the minimum prize money values for all classes of race will have returned to where they were before the pandemic. We are extremely grateful to the Horserace Betting Levy Board for the ongoing additional support that is being provided to the sport, but there is clearly still much to be done to deliver prize money levels that would help promote the long term future of racing at all levels.

“Working with racecourses and participants, we will continue to develop the sport to make it attractive to both existing and new customers and investors. In addition, racing continues to liaise with Government and the appropriate bodies around the return of owners and spectators to race meetings, the delivery and distribution of the Government's £40-million winter survival fund, the potential impact of the Gambling Commission's consultation on remote customer interaction, and proposals for urgent reform of the Levy.”

Paul Darling, chairman of HBLB, said, “We have agreed a funding package that maintains our overall substantial funding to prize money levels and meets the appropriate additional regulatory costs. The closure of LBOs has had an effect on our income projections, and, with the wider changing situation, it is sensible that we take a view about July onwards when the position is clearer. We are pleased to be able to play a significant role in restoring minimum prize money values for the highest class of races to their pre-Covid levels, in line with all other classes. This continues to be a period of real co-operation between racing, betting and the Levy Board which has served all parties well.”

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Additional Covid Attendance Restrictions Announced For UK

As there is currently an increased rate of transmission of COVID-19 in the UK, British racing leaders have agreed with the UK Government to impose more stringent racemeeting restrictions beginning on Jan. 1, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Tuesday. Under the new restrictions, no owners will be permitted to attend Tier 4 race meetings and essential staff only are allowed at meetings in Tier 4 areas. In addition, no owners living in Tier 4 will be permitted to attend race meetings in Tiers 1-3. These restrictions also apply to Scotland in areas which are under Level 4 restrictions. Owners are also encouraged to check with individual racecourses before attending. Owners attending race meetings in Tiers 2 and 3 are reminded that they must comply with the BHA’s protocols, as well as national guidance.

The BHA’s Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Jerry Hill, said on Tuesday, “Racing has worked hard to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus through the tough protocols people have followed when attending race meetings. With the NHS under pressure and a more virulent strain of COVID now circulating, we have agreed that these new restrictions are appropriate to the situation and will keep their use under review for Tiers 2 and 3. No one should attend at all if they feel unwell and any participant showing symptoms should immediately self-isolate and arrange a COVID-19 test.”

“Our priority since June has been to keep racing going as this is vital to the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people who depend upon our industry,” said the BHA’s Chief Operating Officer Richard Wayman. “We have worked hard with government to secure permission for owners to keep attending, with numbers restricted during the national lockdown. Owners are the lifeblood of our sport and we understand the disappointment these additional restrictions will cause. However, the measures, which will be kept constantly under review, will help reduce risk on the racecourse and ensure that racing is able to continue safely through these most challenging times.”

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John Gosden Earns Third Straight Champion Trainer Title

John Gosden was on Monday named Britain's champion flat trainer for the third year running and fifth time overall. Gosden's runners earned £3,114,226 (US$3.8 million) on the racecourse in 2020, more than £650,000 (US$793,500) ahead of Aidan O'Brien.

Gosden's stable took home seven Group 1 trophies this year, including a third win in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. for Enable (Nathaniel) and for Stradivarius (Sea The Stars) in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

“I would like to thank all of my staff for all of their endeavors in this most difficult of years,” Gosden told Great British Racing. “My thanks to our owners, who have been so supportive, and to the whole racing industry for pulling together so effectively.”

Sheikh Hamdan was named champion owner, his flagbearers including the Gosden-trained G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. scorer Nazeef (Invincible Spirit), G1 King's Stand S. and G1 Nunthorpe S. winner Battaash (Dark Angel) and G1 Sussex S. scorer Mohaather (Showcasing). Sheikh Hamdan's prizemoney total in 2020 was £2,309,194 (US$2.8 million) from 112 wins.

Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager Angus Gold said: “To win the champion owner title is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved, it's what we all work hard for and strive to achieve. It's been a difficult year for everyone, but we have been blessed on the track this year with some amazing horses. While it was sad for Sheikh Hamdan not being able to come over to the likes of Royal Ascot to see them in the flesh, he is incredibly enthusiastic, and winning the champion owner title means the world to him and all the team.”

Ben Curtis took the 2020 annual flat jockeys' title with 170 wins. Curtis won a pair of Group 3s in June before a career high with Dandalla (Dandy Man) in the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot, on whom he also won the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. the following month.

“Given the lockdown in March, I set out to pass the 100 winners mark, so to have surpassed that along with the many other talented jockeys in the weighing room at the moment, such as Hollie [Doyle] and Tom [Marquand], is a great achievement,” he said. “For us to have reached those figures, all things considered, is fantastic for British racing.”

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‘I Was Representing Racing Not Just Myself’: Doyle Finishes Third In Bid For SPOTY

Record-breaking British jockey Hollie Doyle finished third in her bid for BBC's sports personality of the year (SPOTY) award on Sunday, finishing behind Lewis Hamilton and Jordan Henderson. Doyle was the only one of the top three finishers to return to her work the following day, according to the Racing Post.

“When I was there I felt as if I was representing racing not just myself and I feel I lifted the trophy for the whole industry.” Doyle told the Racing Post.

Doyle's SPOTY nomination followed a successful season in which she rode her first Royal Ascot winner, broke her own record for single-season winners, and set an example for aspiring female jockeys everywhere. The 24-year-old's achievements did not end with the flat season as Doyle went on to become the first female jockey to win a race at the Hong Kong International Jockeys' Meeting this month.

This is not the first award that Doyle has been nominated for. She was already named the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year for 2020 and has been nominated for four Lesters Awards, including flat jockey of the year. The Lester Awards will be broadcast on Sky Sports Racing on Dec. 22.

Read more at racingpost.com.

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