Additional Changes To UK Flat Programme Announced By BHA FPC

Following ratification by the European Pattern Committee (EPC), there are several additional changes to the UK 2023 Flat Pattern and listed race programme, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Flat Pattern Committee (FPC) announced on Wednesday.

The following races have been repositioned or relocated within the existing programme to help achieve a better spread of black-type opportunities in the relevant age and distance categories in 2023:

• Listed Abingdon S. (10f, 3yo, f, early June), previously run at Newbury, will now take place at Goodwood on Sunday, June 11 and be run as the Listed Agnes Keyser S. (10f, 3yo, f) with a prize fund of £70,000
• Listed Tapster S. (1m 3f 218y, 4yo+) will also be run at Goodwood on Sunday, June 11, rather than in late May, and will also offer prizemoney of £70,000, to mirror that of the Agnes Keyser
• Listed Cathedral S. (6f, 3yo+) at Salisbury will move to Saturday, May 27 (previously mid-June)
• Listed Stonehenge S. (8f, 2yo) at Salisbury will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 16 (a race which was otherwise due to be run in early September in 2023)

These adjustments follow the reduction of Group 3 and listed races announced earlier this year.

BHA Director of International Racing and Racing Development, Ruth Quinn, said, “The tactical adjustments announced today will help see that races are spaced more appropriately–providing a more balanced spread and volume of opportunities for connections at optimal times in the calendar, and supporting the shorter-term objectives of enhancing the competitiveness of Pattern and listed contests in 2023.

“On behalf of the FPC, I would like to thank Goodwood and Salisbury–and other racecourses with whom we work closely through these processes–for their support and cooperation with implementing these adjustments and with the industry's ongoing efforts to refine and strengthen the British Pattern.”

Edward Arkell, Director of Racing at Goodwood, said, “Goodwood is delighted to be hosting The Weatherbys Digital Solutions Agnes Keyser S. on the same card as the William Hill Tapster S. to provide a high class Sunday in June.

“We are grateful for Weatherbys sponsorship and the support of the Flat Pattern Committee in allocating us this race as part of Goodwood's continued commitment to the top end of British racing.”