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UK Fixture List Released For 2022

The 2022 UK fixture list was published by the British Horseracing Authority on behalf of the sport's tripartite governance structure of the BHA, racecourses and horsemen and women, on Monday. Comprised of 1,482 fixtures, the 2022 fixture list was developed by the industry's Fixtures and Funding Group, which contains cross-industry representation and was approved by all members of the group and the sport's tripartite executive committee. The list was presented to the BHA Board for approval on Sept. 9. The total fixtures for 2021 was 1,486.

There were several significant developments incorporated into the 2022 list:

An increase in quality, Sunday racing with racecourses making at least £65,000 in executive prizemoney contributions on: May 8 (Hamilton), May 22 (York), June 5 (Musselburgh), July 3 (Chelmsford City), July 24 (Chelmsford City), Aug. 7 (Haydock Park), Aug. 14 (Chelmsford City), and Aug. 21 (Sandown Park).
A sixth Flat fixture approved for Saturdays with racecourses making at least £100,000 in executive prizemoney contributions (one year only): May 14 (Chelsmford City), May 28 (Cartmel), May 28 (Chelmsford City), June 11 (Chester), June 18 (Perth), July 16 (Cartmel), July 16 (Chester), Aug. 13 (Perth), Sept. 10 (Chelmsford City), Sept. 24 (Chester).
A small number of 'rider restricted fixtures' have also been designated in the fixture list to boost participant well-being: Mar. 19 (Wolverhampton), July 31 (Market Rasen), and Nov. 26 (Wolverhampton).

For more details, please visit the BHA website here.

Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer for the BHA, said, “In producing the 2022 Fixture List, our overarching aim has been to enhance the appeal of racing to its followers. As ever, this has involved balancing a number of considerations such as seeking to deliver a competitive and compelling sport, whilst also supporting the revenues that encourage the acquisition and retention of owners and their horses. Also, staging fixtures at times when the public can enjoy them whilst also being mindful of the wellbeing impact on the participants who service them.

“Fixture policy is an area of tripartite decision making and, whilst there will inevitably be differences of opinion from time to time, there is complete agreement that the Fixture List must continue to evolve as we listen to what racegoers, fans of the sport and the betting industry's customers, are telling us.

“We have built on some of the initiatives trialled during the pandemic, such as the creation of additional relatively high value meetings on Sundays, and we will continue to look for more opportunities to use the Fixture List to support the future of the sport.”

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14 Additional Fixtures Added to UK Calendar

There will be 14 additional fixtures added to the UK racing calendar following approval by the Board of the British Horseracing Authority. The proposal was submitted by the Racecourse Association (RCA) which has the full support of the Horsemen’s Group (HB). The fixtures have been added to shore up racecourse finances, as well as generate a positive return for the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB). The 14 fixtures are as follows:

Flat Fixtures:

15/11/20 Southwell – Afternoon
22/11/20 Wolverhampton – Afternoon
23/11/20 Chelmsford City – Floodlit
24/11/20 Lingfield Park – Afternoon
30/11/20 Kempton Park – Afternoon
01/12/20 Newcastle – Afternoon
06/12/20 Southwell – Afternoon
07/12/20 Chelmsford City – Afternoon
08/12/20 Wolverhampton – Afternoon
13/12/20 Lingfield Park – Afternoon
14/12/20 Kempton Park – Floodlit
15/12/20 Newcastle – Afternoon

Jump Fixtures:

29/11/20 Ffos Las
20/12/20 Bangor-on-Dee

“These additional fixtures will give some relief in the most challenging of times to the racecourses that are staging them and to the horsemen who have additional opportunities to race,” said RCA Chief Executive David Armstrong. “This is an excellent example of the industry working together for the common good and we are grateful to the Levy Board for its support.”

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Delay Of Public’s Return To Sports A “Serious Blow” For Racing

The return of spectators to British sporting events has been put on hold due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the country, a development that racing’s tripartite leadership bodies described as “a serious blow to the horseracing industry and to the people and communities who depend upon it for their living.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson indicated the hold could last “perhaps six months.”

Warwick Racecourse hosted 500 spectators for its jumps meeting on Monday, and it was the second time a British racecourse has had fans since racing resumed on June 1; Doncaster had a small crowd on the first day of its St Leger meeting, but their plans to have fans for the remainder of the festival were aborted by authorities due to rising COVID-19 cases. Newmarket had planned to host around 1,000 spectators daily at its Cambridgeshire meeting later this week, but those plans have now been scrapped.

Speaking in the House of Commons at lunchtime on Tuesday, the prime minister said, “We have to acknowledge that the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events, so we will not be able to do this from Oct. 1 and I recognise the implications for our sports clubs which are the life and soul of our communities.

“We will spare no effort in developing vaccines, treatments, new forms of mass-testing, but unless we palpably make progress we should assume that the restrictions that I have announced will remain in place for perhaps six months. For the time being, this virus is a fact of our lives and I must tell the House and the country that our fight against it will continue.”

The tripartite leadership bodies-the British Horseracing Authority, the Horsemen’s Group and the Racecourse Association issued a joint statement on Tuesday that read, “Our sport has worked hard with public health officials to return safely and carry out pilot events. The exemplary response from the spectators in following the measures we put in place has shown that organised events can be run safely. We look forward to a full evaluation of the pilots and for the evidence to be used to inform future decisions about sporting events.

“Despite all those efforts, our industry is now facing a severe threat. We are the second-most attended spectator sport in the country. Without the millions of people who normally enjoy a day at the races, many people’s jobs are at serious risk, as are the businesses they work in. We know this is recognised from the regular discussions we have had with ministers and we thank them for their strong support in these difficult times. We have kept the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments updated on the financial impact of COVID and the effects on the rural economies in which so many of our racing staff live and work. We have told the UK government our racecourses were facing a loss of £250 to £300 million of revenues this year, which in turn means less prize money flowing through to our participants and our owners. We will be conducting a further economic impact assessment and will work with government to put in place financial assistance to protect livelihoods and rural communities. We were pleased to hear the Prime Minister say that the chancellor and the culture secretary are working urgently to do what they can to support our sector. The Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, Nick Rust, will attend a meeting with the Culture Secretary this afternoon.

We have worked closely with the betting industry during our safe return from lockdown. Responsible betting is part of the fun of racing. It benefits both industries, flowing back into racing to create jobs and fund the care of horses. But British racing does not benefit to the extent of our European counterparts for structural reasons. We have seen growing signs that our best horses are being lured elsewhere by the promise of greater financial rewards. We believe the case for urgent reform has been made. This will be part of the assessment we share with government.

Rust said, “Racing’s leaders are responding to this crisis by working together like never before. We are working to a recovery plan, but today’s announcement will set back our progress. We will urge the government to provide financial support, as they have indicated they are considering, and to accept the case for urgent reform of the Levy.

“Our loyal owners and our key international investors have stood by us and we ask government to work with us to maintain that confidence in racing and in Britain.”

David Armstrong, chief executive of the RCA, added, “the news that all elite sporting pilot events are to be postponed is incredibly disappointing. The sport has worked tirelessly to develop protocols to allow spectators to safely enjoy a day’s racing and early indications from our pilot events are that these were a success. All sports are suffering from the effect of zero admissions income and racing is no different. It is imperative that discussions continue with government to highlight the economic impact of this decision. My thoughts are with Amy Starkey and the team at Newmarket–this news will be difficult to take following weeks of work to prepare the site for customers.”

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