Partial 2021 UK Racing Fixture List Announced

After a fixture-related funding package was confirmed by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, the 2021 UK fixture list from January through April was announced by the British Horseracing Authority on Wednesday. The confirmed dates for all fixtures involving Pattern races was also published alongside provisional dates for the rest of 2021. (Click for the Excel or PDF versions of the fixture list, Pattern races, and provisional fixtures.) The fixture list was developed with a view to maximising revenue for the sport and participants, while safeguarding participant welfare and taking into account the horse population. At this stage, no BHA Fixtures have been announced for the period from May to December, but decisions on those is pending once there is greater clarity in relation to the aforementioned factors. There are 246 NH fixtures (243 in 2020), and 202 Flat fixtures (208 in 2020) slated from January to April.

The following changes have been agreed with a view to creating a more efficient proposition for the period:

• • While the total number of Flat fixtures has reduced, the number of Flat races will remain unchanged. This is due to a reduction in the total number of All-Weather fixtures during the period but extending the length of cards at floodlit fixtures to include up to nine races so that the total race numbers remain similar.
  • With Covid-protocols continuing, the temporary rule which permits jockeys to ride at only one fixture per day will be extended into 2021.
  • The extended floodlit cards will include seven programmed races and up to two divisions, with the use of divisions ensuring that the fixture list and race programme can respond appropriately to the actual level of demand from the horse population at that time of year.
  • Race times will be set with the aim of providing continuous product for the betting industry until a last race time of no later than 8:30 p.m., other than on Sundays when racing would conclude by no later than 6:00 p.m.
  • Where possible without having a negative impact on terrestrial TV coverage, reducing the number of fixtures on Saturday afternoons in January and February from four to three, recognising that the fourth fixture on Saturday afternoons can contribute more to betting revenues if staged at a different time of the week.
  • Reducing the number of fixtures from six to four on New Year's Day by moving meetings to alternative dates when they would generate additional returns from betting. A decision will be taken on the number of fixtures to be staged at Easter nearer the time, once more is known about the return of spectators to racecourses.

“Although the current unprecedented levels of uncertainty make planning for the future challenging, the publication of a fixture list and minimum prize money levels for the first four months of next year provides the sport with clarity over racing's plans for the immediate future,” said BHA Chief Operating Officer Richard Wayman. “In addition, by publishing the confirmed dates of major fixtures for the remainder of the year, we hope this will help owners, participants and racecourses begin to make their plans for 2020.”

“We continue to discuss with government a consistent approach to allowing sporting events to go ahead with spectators as soon as possible but in developing the fixture list for the beginning of next year, we have focussed on creating a schedule that maximises off-course betting turnover and, where possible, reduces the costs of staging fixtures. In doing so, we have also sought to reduce the pressures on racing's workforce of servicing the fixture list including by staging extended cards on the all-weather with a corresponding decrease in fixture numbers.

“We are particularly grateful to the Horserace Betting Levy Board for their continued financial support which has enabled us to confirm that pre-Covid minimum values will remain in place for mid and lower-tier races, whilst also retaining the appearance money scheme that is popular with many owners.

“Their enhanced support, however, is not sustainable, and ahead of racing presenting proposals for fixture funding for the remainder of the year, efforts continue to generate additional support, including–at the government's request–producing a submission setting out the economic impact across the whole of racing, including what will be lost by racing without the public through the winter.

“Moreover we are continuing to press the case for urgent reform of the Levy, which would help racing to become more self-sufficient and reduce the need for government spending on the sport, the likes of which we are seeing in other racing nations at present. British racing is rightly admired around the world but without progress in this key area, we risk becoming uncompetitive with our international colleagues, which could have catastrophic and long-lasting implications for the future of our sport.”