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The BHA are to publish the 2011 fixture list towrds the end of September as it continues to wrest with the problems of falling levy contributions. Here is a press statement released today, in full. Of particular interest is the final quote where Ruth Quinn terms the current levy forecast ‘inadequate and unsustainable’.
<i><b>BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITY CONFIRMS PUBLICATION DATE OF 2011 FIXTURE LIST
· 2011 fixture list to be published on the 23rd September
· BHA Board suspend the allocation of around 150 BHA fixtures
The British Horseracing Authority today confirms that it plans to release the details of the 2011 Fixture List by the 23rd September. This follows last week’s meeting of the British Horseracing Authority Board and the subsequent meeting of the Levy Board, together with detailed dialogue with the Racecourse Association and Horsemen’s Group. The unprecedented delay in publishing the Fixture List, which is normally unveiled in late July, is just one result of the dramatic collapse in Levy yield forecasts which are predicted if considerable changes are not made for the 50th Levy Scheme.
The BHA Board had to make a decision on the allocation of around 250 fixtures known as BHA fixtures. It has decided to suspend the allocation of around 150 of these fixtures, and this will only be reconsidered if racecourses and the Horsemen’s Group agree a basis for their allocation and make a proposal to the Board.
BHA ‘twilight’ fixtures will be made available for allocation between January to April and September to December on the basis that the average prizemoney at each fixture is not less than £3,000 per race. The 16 fixtures allocated to Ffos Las as a new racecourse will also continue.
The BHA will consider applications by racecourses for Self-Funded fixtures on Bank Holidays and to coincide with special events. Existing Self-Funded ‘Enterprise’ fixtures may continue providing that the previously announced prizemoney requirements for 2011 are met.
Any other exceptional applications to stage Self-Funded fixtures would be considered by the Board, taking into account racecourse and horsemen considerations, as well as operational, horse population and all other relevant factors.
The Levy Board has decided to provide prizemoney contributions for approximately 1,300 fixtures, including funding for four fixtures on a Saturday (two of which will only receive 50% of normal funding) and two fixtures on a Sunday.
Ruth Quinn, Director of Racing for the British Horseracing Authority, said:
“The challenges for Racing at this time are great and planning for 2011 has been the most difficult in my experience, as I’m sure it has been for the racecourses and the horsemen. We have made progress on a number of issues, but inevitably there is still much to be done in order to finalise the Fixture List for next year, which we must do in order to create a framework for the sport.
“There remain a number of issues to face and there will be more difficult decisions we will have to take as matters develop. Once the number of fixtures is set, we can then begin to look at minimum prize money values and the race programme, though this in itself will be a further challenge with the current forecast Levy yield of £70 million inadequate and unsustainable.”</b></i>
I wonder if any bookies would be cheeky enough to be taking bets on which courses will suffer due to the mess they have created.
I’m thinking Southwell might get it in the shorts (AW & NH) along with Kempton & Wolves (AW) & possibly some of the smaller NH courses like Towcester, Plumpton & Newton Abbot.
I can imagine Lingfield’s AW being pretty safe though.
Some may know better than I, do any of the courses self fund any of their racing?
Towcester are giving people free entry and providing new initiatives that more courses should follow so hopefully they won’t suffer.
Epsom could lose a few of those Class 5 and 6 evening summer meets they stage and the same could be said of Windsor who’s traditional June fixtures seem to be on massive overspill into the rest of the summer.
Would cut Wolverhamptons Monday afternoon AW fixtures in the summer before pratting around with the fixtures that Plumpton have which are well supported by the top trainers and racegoers.
Towcester are giving people free entry and providing new initiatives that more courses should follow so hopefully they won’t suffer.
Epsom could lose a few of those Class 5 and 6 evening summer meets they stage and the same could be said of Windsor who’s traditional June fixtures seem to be on massive overspill into the rest of the summer.
Would cut Wolverhamptons Monday afternoon AW fixtures in the summer before pratting around with the fixtures that Plumpton have which are well supported by the top trainers and racegoers.
I think Towcester may suffer if it comes down to ‘show us your money’ contest. I had thought Windsor might lose out too, I hadn’t thought of Epsom but you may be right.
The reduction of class 5 & 6 races should see increased entries in the remainder which can be a good thing I suppose.
What should be the criteria?
Low class racing?
Fixtures that attract poor/low entry?
Fixtures with poor attendance?
Protect the turf fixtures and focus on sand when culling?I would go along with cutting low class racing and protect the turf fixtures and focus on sand when culling.
I wouldn’t cry if all the all weather courses disappeared as I believe there is far too much racing on the sand, with Kempton and Southwell being the worst for quality.
As for racecourse casualties I have long wondered how Folkestone stays in business, and while I have a soft spot for Sedgefield they might lose fixtures. I agree with previous contributors that Epsom could be in for a fall.
What a messy pickle. No surprise though. Do Miss Quinn and co read TRF? Forewarned so forearmed one would have hoped
The winter fixture list (October – April) strikes me as being more or less okay, though ensure there are no more than three meetings on weekdays and Sundays, and four on Saturdays.
‘Replacement’ fixtures for the extinct Great Leighs have presumably been abandoned in 2011. Certainly hope so, as one daily AW meeting over the winter melded nicely with the NH programme, but two didn’t.
So if drastic pruning is necessary concentrate on the summer. Do away with all turf season AW and have a four month NH close season: June-Sepetember inclusive
Just how much power the BHA exert over courses regarding when and how often they race is – like so much in racing – a mystery to me, so if they are not permitted to cancel meetings carte-blanche then simply deprive more meetings of levy and let those unlevied courses stage racing at their own expense if they want to
I’m sure this is all too simplistic, but there ya go
2011 Fixture List now released –
Here’s the BHA’s press release on the subject.
<i>BRITISH HORSERACING’S 2011 FIXTURE LIST PUBLISHED
The British Horseracing Authority today publishes the Fixture List for 2011, two months later than usual as a result of the funding issues affecting British Racing. The headline figures for the 2011 Fixture List are:
The total number of fixtures has decreased from 1,503 to 1,480;
Levy Board prizemoney contributions are allocated to 1,298 of those fixtures, down 164 on 2010;
898 Flat and 582 Jump fixtures (2010: 913 and 590 respectively);
Flat fixtures are made up of 598 Turf fixtures and 300 AWT fixtures (2010: 611 and 302 respectively);
By session there are 1,111 afternoon fixtures, 273 evening fixtures and 96 twilight fixtures (2010: 1,134, 369 and 0 respectively).Other key aspects of the 2011 Fixture List are outlined below.
Major Fixture Moves
The most significant fixture moves within the 2011 Fixture List can be summarised as follows:· The creation of British Champions’ Day and related changes to Ascot and Newmarket’s fixtures in September and October.
· Newmarket’s July meeting moves from Wednesday to Friday, to Thursday to Saturday, with the July Cup continuing to be staged on the final day of the meeting.
· York’s Ebor meeting moves from Tuesday to Friday, to Wednesday to Saturday.
· Sandown’s April Meeting will take place over the Easter weekend, thus significantly strengthening the Easter programme.
· Aintree’s November Becher Meeting, which currently takes place on a Sunday, moves to the first Saturday in December, thereby providing much stronger support to Sandown’s December Meeting (including the Tingle Creek Chase) on the same afternoon.
· Newbury’s December meeting (including the Challow Hurdle) moves from its normal date of 29th December to Saturday 31st December, which means that the race meeting will be televised and provide a suitably strong fixture on the final Saturday of 2011.
Self-Funded BHA Fixtures
In 2010, of the 1,503 programmed fixtures, 1,462 received Levy Board prizemoney contributions.With no Levy Board prizemoney contributions available for standard BHA fixtures, these were removed from the 2011 fixture list and it was agreed that they would only be reintroduced if racecourses and the Horsemen’s Group came to an agreement regarding the basis for their allocation, including minimum prizemoney levels. Over 200 applications from racecourses that signed agreements with the Horsemen’s Group were received for the available 129 BHA fixtures and 123 applications were successful.
Ffos Las
As a new racecourse, Ffos Las has been allocated sixteen BHA fixtures by the Board, comprising 13 Jump, 2 Flat and 1 mixed. These fixtures were allocated subject to the racecourse guaranteeing a minimum contribution to total prizemoney at these fixtures.In addition to those 16 fixtures, Ffos Las have a further 13 self-funded fixtures, including two Bank Holiday fixtures (details below), bringing their total number of fixtures to 29, one more than in 2010.
Bank Holiday Fixtures
The Board approved applications for 3 new Bank Holiday fixtures in 2011, in addition to the 5 new Bank Holiday fixtures that were approved for 2010:Easter Monday Ffos Las (one-year only)
August Bank Holiday Bangor-On-Dee
Boxing Day Ffos Las
All three applications will provide racegoers with an opportunity to go racing on a public holiday in parts of the country that are not currently served by other fixtures on that day.
BHA Twilight Fixtures
There are 96 BHA Twilight fixtures in the 2011 Fixture List that will take place between 1st January and 8th April, and 1st
September and 30th December. These have been allocated evenly between Kempton Park and Wolverhampton. These have been introduced to offer a valuable continuity of British Racing betting product that analysis of betting data, supported by betting industry feedback, tells us the customer wants.They will be programmed to commence ten minutes after the final programmed race at the scheduled afternoon fixtures.
In 2011, they will receive prizemoney contributions of £10,000 and have been allocated on the basis that the average prizemoney at each BHA Twilight fixture will not be less than, on average, £3,000 for each programmed race. They are allocated on 3 year leases for years 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Premier Fixtures
Premier fixtures are to be introduced with a view to ensuring that there are two quality fixtures staged on every
Saturday throughout the year, in addition to the established Festival meetings. The concept will involve setting minimum prize money criteria at these fixtures, and the creation of Premier fixtures will result in qualifying fixtures on a Saturday getting 100% of their Levy Board prizemoney contribution with the remaining fixtures only qualifying for 50%.Further details will be available once the list of Premier fixtures for 2011 is finalised.
Fixtures to coincide with a special occasion or local initiative
Racecourses were invited to apply to stage fixtures that would coincide with a special occasion or would form part of a local/community initiative. Only one application has been received for 2011 and this was granted. This came from Perth and is associated with introducing a Royal Charities Raceday in Scotland in August.Nic Coward, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said:
“I said at the British Horseracing Conference in February that a vital task for this year was getting the fixture list for 2011 in the best possible shape, in challenging circumstances. That meant drawing together and implementing the Strategic Review of the Fixture List, Racing for Change and addressing what has become an ever worsening Levy yield.
“We have changed the approach to the Fixture List, and the race programme and the funding structure behind it. We have made significant progress in creating a differentiation of our fixtures and races. As well as British Champions’ Series and British Champions’ Day, we will be highlighting our Premier Fixtures at weekends in addition to the festivals which generate so much international and national interest. In creating the Premier structure, efforts have been made to strengthen Saturdays, including for instance the move of both the Ebor at York and the July Cup at Newmarket to Saturdays.
“We challenged the industry to adopt a new approach to the Fixture List and its funding, so that we will have in 2011 the smallest number of centrally funded fixtures for many years. We have led the new process through which Horsemen and racecourses have for the first time negotiated and agreed fixtures and their prize money.
“In creating the Fixture List, we have had to look hard at the interests of racecourses and their importance to local communities, and the present Levy returns, which have been forced down by betting operators exploiting every available loophole. At the same time, we have confidence that in the coming months Racing will see a Scheme to apply from April 2011 that will deliver the right return so that courses and Horsemen can see a sustainable future.
“Racing is losing out on money it currently should be getting through the existing Levy Scheme. These failings must be addressed if we are to be able to provide our key customers – racegoers and punters – with the product we believe they deserve, and ensure racing’s people achieve a fair return for all that goes into putting the show on the road.”
Ruth Quinn, Director of Racing for the British Horseracing Authority, said:
“Constructing the 2011 Fixture List has been a lengthy and, at times, very trying process. The outcome though is generally a positive one, especially bearing in mind the backdrop of the decimated central funding. There are still many aspirations for change that we would have for 2012 and beyond to produce a framework that best suits the long term health of this sport. That work starts here.”</i>
I’ll get in first with my thanks – clear off you stupid, stupid people at the BHA and let someone who knows something about racing run the whole thing.
Constant references to "British Champions Day/Series." And where on earth does it state how it will be British or how it can be? So it is British because it is run in Britain. Er, that happens already – just that this lot have removed the history away from the Champion Stakes. I’ll read the rest in a second.
So with the move of the Ebor meeting to a Saturday as part of another horrific change, will jockeys now expect bans to relate to "premier fixtures" and not the current Group 1 system? A key question for the BHA mob to answer, I would think.
“Racing is losing out on money it currently should be getting through the existing Levy Scheme. These failings must be addressed if we are to be able to provide our key customers – racegoers and
punters
– with the product we believe they deserve, and ensure racing’s people achieve a fair return for all that goes into putting the show on the road.”
And don’t give us that. Punters don’t exist in Paul Roy’s view. Or at least they are not any different to other "consumers" within the sport.
- Total Posts 17716
Major Fixture Moves
The most significant fixture moves within the 2011 Fixture List can be summarised as follows:· The creation of British Champions’ Day and related changes to Ascot and Newmarket’s fixtures in September and October.
· Newmarket’s July meeting moves from Wednesday to Friday, to Thursday to Saturday, with the July Cup continuing to be staged on the final day of the meeting.
· York’s Ebor meeting moves from Tuesday to Friday, to Wednesday to Saturday.
· Sandown’s April Meeting will take place over the Easter weekend, thus significantly strengthening the Easter programme.
· Aintree’s November Becher Meeting, which currently takes place on a Sunday, moves to the first Saturday in December, thereby providing much stronger support to Sandown’s December Meeting (including the Tingle Creek Chase) on the same afternoon.
· Newbury’s December meeting (including the Challow Hurdle) moves from its normal date of 29th December to Saturday 31st December, which means that the race meeting will be televised and provide a suitably strong fixture on the final Saturday of 2011.
Nic Coward, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said:
“I said at the British Horseracing Conference in February that a vital task for this year was getting the fixture list for 2011 in the best possible shape, in challenging circumstances. That meant drawing together and implementing the Strategic Review of the Fixture List, Racing for Change and addressing what has become an ever worsening Levy yield.
“We have changed the approach to the Fixture List, and the race programme and the funding structure behind it. We have made significant progress in creating a differentiation of our fixtures and races. As well as British Champions’ Series and British Champions’ Day, we will be highlighting our Premier Fixtures at weekends in addition to the festivals which generate so much international and national interest. In creating the Premier structure, efforts have been made to strengthen Saturdays, including for instance the move of both the Ebor at York and the July Cup at Newmarket to Saturdays.
Ruth Quinn, Director of Racing for the British Horseracing Authority, said:
“Constructing the 2011 Fixture List has been a lengthy and, at times, very trying process. The outcome though is generally a positive one, especially bearing in mind the backdrop of the decimated central funding. There are still many aspirations for change that we would have for 2012 and beyond to produce a framework that best suits the long term health of this sport. That work starts here.”
Nic Coward held her arms, as Rod Street drew the blade swiftly across her wrists. The lights in Racing’s eyes flickered briefly, before fading to ever-lasting blackness.
What else is there to say?
So much for the 150 fewer fixtures and the funding crisis.
There are actually MORE fixtures Monday to Saturday in 2011 than in 2010.
The total number is down by 23, the number of Sunday fixtures is down by 32.
The funding of 96 twilight AW fixtures alone is sufficient grounds to justify lining this lot up against a wall.
AP
V.disappointing if Sundays are down. Goes without saying, though I think I will; the 600 jumps fixtures should be axed pronto. Other than that, a superb job by the BHA. Bountiful supply of racing for degenerates like myself and months of contented whining for the ‘self-haters’. Thumbs up smiley from me.
Twilight fixtures – why why why? They serve no purpose and are a total waste of money in empty booking shops.
- Total Posts 17716
"Aintree’s November Becher Meeting, which currently takes place on a Sunday, moves to the first Saturday in December, thereby providing much stronger support to Sandown’s December Meeting (including the Tingle Creek Chase) on the same afternoon."
How on earth does running the Becher Chase on the same day as the Tingle Creek "support" either race? Press comment on both will be diluted, racegoers who have previously attended both meetings can no longer do so, and trainers and jockeys will have to choose between two rival premier events.
Is this some sort of sop to terrestrial TV? Way to go, not!
And can anyone confirm whether it’s true that the Flat season won’t start at Doncaster with the Brocklesby, but on a Wednesday at Catterick with … well, with what? "Start with a whimper" isn’t a marketing strategy with which I am familiar.
There is a fatal mixture of desperation, confusion and bloody-mindedness in this fixture list which will hasten the demise of the BHA in its current form. Nobody likes these changes, nobody wants them, and plenty of people won’t put up with them.
So much for the 150 fewer fixtures and the funding crisis.
There are actually MORE fixtures Monday to Saturday in 2011 than in 2010.
The total number is down by 23, the number of Sunday fixtures is down by 32.
The funding of 96 twilight AW fixtures alone is sufficient grounds to justify lining this lot up against a wall.
Disgraceful
Glenn vindicated: how long for the U-turn this time indeed
It all beggars belief
Hand me the AK47 APR
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