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If their silly series is to work they can’t have different numbers of restricted races in a category. They can’t continue to restrict geldings, or fillies like in the St James’ Palace, in 3yo races. It’s now discriminatory and liable to a legal challenge.
I for one think it’s a great shame that Sundays are being dealt a duff hand next year
Why all the emphasis on Saturday?
Received this pm from Paul Struthers who has kindly allowed me to post it here:
Regards Sundays, the problem is simple – there’s no terrstrial coverage and no interest from the main broadcaster (C4) to move to that slot. Without the coverage, the courses simply can’t attract the sponsors to provide the funds for a strong race programme (the Becher was only able to be on a Sunday due to BBC’s coverage). Also, Saturday’s are by far and away the busiest betting day, with terrestrial coverage playing an important role in that.
Thinking about it, Sunday’s would then go in direct competition with live Premier League matches, and bearing in mind most of the criticism I’ve seen about some of the big races moving to Saturdays is that it goes head to head with other sports. Arguably, it would be worse on a Sunday, especially August to May.
As for the whole Champions Day switch, I’ve had little to do with it but as a punter and racegoer (as opposed to someone at the BHA) I think the new Champions Day could be something special (still to be convinced about the two year old day they’re planning). It’s sad to see it leave Newmarket but I’m not the Rowley Mile’s biggest fan and I do recall plenty of moaning in recent years that it’s a disappointing Group 1. I’m all for giving it a go though I get why people are upset, and they’ll only be won round if it works and is a success, and even then they might still not be won round. Remember, Arc weekend wouldn’t be what it is without the French making all kinds of changes over the years to create it.
And one thing BHA never did was say sod the pattern – quite the opposite
If their silly series is to work they can’t have different numbers of restricted races in a category. They can’t continue to restrict geldings, or fillies like in the St James’ Palace, in 3yo races. It’s now discriminatory and liable to a legal challenge.
Why? If they can restrict races by handicap, age, and whether they’ve won before, they can surely discriminate by the horses’ gender. The Arc is still an intact-only race.
I don’t get the Saturday-only policy, because the UK is unique in the amount of televised racing coverage. There’s only a week or so of racing on network television in the US, and it’s similar in Canada and in much of Europe. Racing is and has always been a spectator sport, and it relies on people actually going to the tracks.
I really love Newmarket, it’s got extraordinary history and if there must be a "British Champions’ Day" (how will they stop the Irish, French, and Americans from invading?) it would be best suited for the birthplace of English Thoroughbred racing.
Seeing the level of contempt that the powers-at-be have for us punters I would suggest that we all stop betting so much and attend fewer race meetings, and then they might wonder why revenue and attendances begin to fall.
I know in truth this is unlikely to happen, but believe these are the only weapons we have to explain to these idiots about their foolishness.
[quote· 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.
I also question how the rescheduling of the Becher Chase is supposed to be a benefit. Last year’s race had a pitiful number of runners because any horse that wins the race will be handicapped out of the Grand National, and there are numerous alternative long distance races worth more money.
Sandown stages a valuable near 4-mile chase on Tingle Creek day, so why would connections want to run their horses at Aintree instead?
Hmm, another mess, I think. Why are they determined to erase lot of the sport’s history?
Selling the sport down the river. Why aren’t any of the journos asking questions, instead of just going along with it all?
It will end in tears, believe me.I have long been a fan of The Times’ Alan Lee, but he let me down today gushing about how wonderful the new Champions Day will be and I’m sure he feels the same about the fixture list changes – so sad.
Why? If they can restrict races by handicap, age, and whether they’ve won before, they can surely discriminate by the horses’ gender. The Arc is still an intact-only race.
We’ll see – I’m going to take some advice on the issue and contact a few governing bodies outside of horse racing. I think a case can now be stated for this being different. There’s no longer a good reason for some of these races discriminating.
For example, if this idea is going to work, (unlikely in my view, but I’ll give it every chance) and you have some kind of "Milers" championship with huge money at stake, and a 3yo Filly loses because they couldn’t run in the St James’ Palace Stakes? Or a 3yo gelding loses (a touch more unlikely) because they couldn’t run in the 2000 Guineas? But a 4yo gelding can run in both the Queen Anne and Lockinge, as a result wins the series?
I’ve stated my point over and over. This is poorly planned as it stands, illogical in its formation, and has a lot of work to do.
It’s funny, Phil. Bearing in mind the way which Mike Cattermole et al slaughtered the decision to erase the Buinbury Cup racename from history (thereby causing the new sponsor to publicly splutter their cornflakes), I expected to see far more opposition to the Newmarket/Ascot craziness from the glitterati.
Aside from us, who are the critics? We’ve seen one of the Holy Trinity is in favour, but what about Greg Wood and Lydia? Our own Lincoln Duncan? Peter Thomas? Sean appears ambivalent. I’ve not seen much of ATR lately – what about Matt C? Is there a caustic blogger out there venting his cyber spleen?
(Btw, as a matter of record, and for what its worth, I am in favour of the twilight fixtures and am eagerly awaiting the lunchtime meetings.)
I’ve always said that Champions Day at HQ is one of the best value days on the calender, horizontal rain taken into account, entrance prices being amazing for such a fantastic card.
I guess that, at Ascot, it will now demand a much higher premium at the turnstiles
It’s all about the money, and I certainly don’t like Ascot as much as Newmarket. It does not have the same character as a day on Newmarket Heath. I certainly would no longer attend an Ascot version of Champions day. Not only because of the cost but Ascot is a royal PITA to get to. For me, M11>>A11 is so much easier than M25>>M3.It’s funny, Phil. Bearing in mind the way which Mike Cattermole et al slaughtered the decision to erase the Buinbury Cup racename from history (thereby causing the new sponsor to publicly splutter their cornflakes), I expected to see far more opposition to the Newmarket/Ascot craziness from the glitterati.
Maybe the reason why Catt has stayed quiet is that he works for Channel 4 and they’re still hoping to televise the event.
Most definately this change in venue is all about money and very little else. Can’t someone tell these fools we’re in the middle of a recession?
BHA announces reduction in 2012 fixture list and sets date for publication
The British Horseracing Authority today announced a cap of 1,400 to the number of fixtures that will be scheduled in 2012, after its Board approved plans to reduce the fixture list by at least 80 fixtures. It also confirmed that the 2012 fixture list will be published by no later than Friday 30th September 2011.
The 2012 fixture allocation process has been suspended since the beginning of June because of the uncertainty regarding the funding of fixtures next year, as a result of the decline in levy funding. This is due to be confirmed at the next Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) meeting on 14th September, after which the total number of fixtures will be finalised.
The decision by the BHA to remove at least 80 fixtures is due to concerns regarding the ability of the declining horse population to continue to service the existing fixture list. Recent analytical research undertaken by Weatherbys into the likely impact of sharply falling foal crops strongly suggests an increased rate of decline in horse numbers in 2012 and, with nearly 40% of races currently attracting seven or fewer runners, the fixture reduction has been approved with a view to protecting the competitiveness of British Racing.
The research involved analysing historical data, identifying relationships between foal and horses-in-training numbers, and applying those relationships to recent declining foal crops with a view to projecting future trends in horses-in-training numbers.
Although there is a range of possible outcomes, the BHA has taken the view that the rate of decline in horse numbers could increase from 3.2% in 2011 to around 7% in 2012.
On this basis, it has been possible to model the changes that would need to be made to the 2012 fixture list with the aim of maintaining existing average field sizes of around 9 runners per race. The model, which takes into account the current number of runners, eliminations and average runs per horse, projects that a reduction of at least 80 fixtures would prevent further deterioration in levels of competitiveness.
The sport’s major events in the 2012 calendar will not be affected by the ongoing discussions, and are published today.
Ruth Quinn, Director of Racing for the British Horseracing Authority, said:
“Although the size and shape of the fixture list cannot be finalised until the impact of the significantly reduced levy has been confirmed, we have taken this a_ction to try to ensure that falling horse numbers will not erode the attractiveness of British Racing, both as a sporting spectacle and as a betting medium.
“The process will involve removing a majority of the leasehold fixtures that had been agreed on a one-year only basis for 2011 between racecourses and horsemen, and we will continue to consult with stakeholders to ensure that the fixture slots that are removed will be those that are of the least value to Racing.
“Horse numbers have been in steady decline since peaking in 2008 and, with the significantly reduced foal crops due to reach racing age, the sport cannot continue at its previous capacity. Although we are in the middle of a remarkable Flat season, the Board felt compelled to take this decision to protect the long term health of the sport.”
All 60 British racecourses have been made aware of the changes, and the process of consultation regarding the removal of fixture slots is ongoing.
Average Number of Horses-in-Training
January to July
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
TOTAL
15,573
15,957
15,581
15,216
14,729
% change
+2.5%
-2.4%
-2.3%
-3.2%
% of races with seven or fewer runners
January to June
Code
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Flat
20%
29%
28%
30%
36%
Jump
30%
24%
26%
32%
40%
GB and Irish Foal Numbers (2006-11)
Foal crop
GB
Ireland
Total
% change
2006
5,489
12,004
17,493
–
2007
5,839
12,633
18,472
+5.6%
2008
5,920
12,419
18,339
-0.7%
2009
5,595
10,167
15,762
-14.1%
2010
4,665
7,588
12,253
-22.2%
2011 (estimate)
4,250
7,050
11,300
-7.8%
Mark, probably not , but its a step in the right direction
I would have capped it at 1200 , and prepared for the jump down to 1000 for 2013
But we are dealing with the hopeless , guided by the incompetent and advised by the greedy , in my opinion
Ricky
It might still end up as fewer fixtures dependent on Levy Board decision on fixture criteria and the available funding.
Mark, probably not , but its a step in the right direction
I would have capped it at 1200 , and prepared for the jump down to 1000 for 2013
But we are dealing with the hopeless , guided by the incompetent and advised by the greedy , in my opinion
Ricky
Very harsh Ricky.
They have in some cases in the past come to the (imo) wrong conclusions. But they mean well and are (imo) getting better.
Hope the reductions are concentrated on the poorest grade and of course races where connections are loathed to run their horses (frequently run with few runners).
Value Is Everything
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